While still living in Murphreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, at the age of 21, newly-married James Manor enlisted as a volunteer in the Rutherford County Militia. Militia records show that on June 4, 1825 he enlisted as an Ensign in the 45th Regiment, Volunteer Rifle Company. By September 4, 1827, he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant in the 45th Regiment.
After moving to Texas in April, 1837, records indicate that he served in Ranging Companies from Bastrop County that had been organized to help protect the settlers from Indian raids which were taking place in Texas during that time.
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| "War Dept. Houston, Jany 17, 1838 - I certify that the certificate given at this office to James Manor should have been as a private in the Ranging Battalion, he is therefore entitled to receive pay as such. - Barnard Bee" |
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| "This certificate entitles James Manor to pay from the date of the last payment made him to April 30, 1838, as a Private in Lt. Moore's Company B, Rangers - has been under orders April 30, 1838 to date. B.S. Bee - Secretary of War" |
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| "Houston, May...1838 - James Manor has drawn $26.96 in clothing from 13th May 1837 until 30th April 1838 and there is yet due him $9 33/100. Wm H. Moore, 1st Lt. Comy Rangers." |
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| City of Houston - This is to certify that James Manor a private under my command was detail to guard the waggon from Fort Houston to this place and back the service was thirty three days, given under... this 30th April 1838 - Wm H. Moore, 1st Lt Comy Rangers" |
In February, 1839 James Manor was part of a group of 109 men under the command of Colonel John H. Moore who were involved in a battle with Comanches on the San Saba River. One account of the battle says;
"In consequence of the repeated and continued inroads of the Indians through 1837 and 1838, at the close of the latter year Col. John H. Moore, of Fayette, already distinguished alike for gallantry and patriotism, determined to chastise them. Calling for volunteers from the thinly settled country around him, he succeeded in raising a force of fifty-five whites, forty-two Lipan and twelve Toncahua Indians, an aggregate of one hundred and nine. Col. Castro, chief of the Lipans, commanded his warriors, assisted by the rising and ever faithful young chief, Flacco, whose memory is honored, and whose subsequent perfidious fate is and ever has been deplored by every pioneer of Texas…."
Colonel Moore's troops were defeated by the Comanche and as a consequence of the battle and it appears that James Manor was seriously wounded because the writer went on to say;
"...six of their comrades so wounded as to perish in the wilderness, or be transported on litters home by their fellows. Such was the condition of six of the number. They were William M. Eastland (spared then to draw a black bean and be murdered by the accursed order of Santa Anna in 1843); S. S. B. Fields, a lawyer of La Grange; James Manor, Felix Taylor, ______ Leffingwell, and ______ Martin, the latter of whom died soon after reaching home."
Noah Smithwick gives a longer account of the battle in his book "EVOLUTION OF A STATE" published in 1900. In it, he says;
"The Indians then formed in line and advanced to the attack. One brave, under cover of his shield, preceded his comrades, and flourishing his bow, delivered a challenge. Jim Manor was standing beside me with his gun cocked; he took deliberate aim at the prancing heathen, and at the crack of his gun the Indian fell back, unable to rise."By ----, I killed an Indian, didn't I?" said Jim, as if needing verification of his deed."
Members of the Ranging Companies were required to provide their own horses and weapons. Bastrop County records show that James Manor's horse was captured by the Comanche Indians during the battle.
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"Republic of Texas County of Travis Personally appeared before me S. J. Whatley an acting Justice of the Peace for the Republic and County afforsaid Noah Smithwick and Thomas McKernon who being duly sworn deposeth and sayeth that they know the mare which James Manor rode in the campaign against the Comanche Indians under the command of Col John H. Moore was captured by the Comanches on the San Saba on the 14th day of February 1839 and that the said mare was worth two hundred dollars. Sworn and Subscribed to before me Noah Smithwick this 10th day of April AD 1840. Thomas Mckernon S. J. Whatley J. P. J. H. Moore Commandant Com" |
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"This is to certify that James Manor volunteered to go against the Comanche Indians on the 25th day of January 1839 and discharged the duty of a private faithfully up to the 24th day of February following thru the 12th day of April 1840. J. H. Moore Noah Smithwick Commandant Com. Capt of Bastrop Volunteers" |
Sources
Rutherford County Militia information taken from Rutherford County Historical Society, Murphreesboro, TN, Publication No. 3, Summer 1974
Battle with the Comanche on the San Saba River taken from various online sources
All other documents showing Republic of Texas military service taken from the Texas Digital Archive of the Texas State Library and Archives Commmission
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