Camp Medina near San Antonio

[yeluacm]

Trying to locate this place "Camp Medina" near San Antonio, and presume it is situated somewhere along the Medina River west of San Antonio? I am in possession of a letter dated at "Camp Medina, near San Antonio", on August 11, 1849 from Nelson Delong Walling (1798-1863) to Alvey R. Johnson (1803-1862) of Shelby County. Nelson D. Walling, together with Wade Hampton Choate (1826-1849) and his brother, Stokely B. Choate (1834-1850) were veterans of Captain Ephraim Morrell Daggett's Company I of Colonel John Coffee Hays' 1st Regiment of Texas Mounted Volunteers, 1847-1848, and this letter appears to be related to when the Texas militia was called up and sent to the border to repel a feigned invasion by Mexican forces in August-September 1849.

Camp Medina, near San Antonio
August 11, 1849

A.R. Johnson, Esqr.

Dear Sir--- We start tomorrow morning for Mexico, much against our will. We all enjoy tolerable good health. Stokely and Wade are in our company, and in my mess. I do not know when I will be home. I wish you to assist the boys in getting out their crop, and do the best you can with it for them. We have not drawn any money yet, and are not likely to-- but should we draw, I will try and send some home to you by the first safe chance. I had bad luck with my horse, but in the rounds I have not loss much. I have made my enquiry respecting the stud horse, and think you had better keep him at home, as there is no money in the country, nor wont be, until the army is discharged. Sam Bonds sends his stud home today, for the want of sale. Give my respects to your family and all my friends. And give my respects also to my family. I would write you again, but I know not where I will be, or how to send you a letter. Believe me your friend &c.

N.D. Walling

[obverse]
Shelbyville Texas
Octr 5

A.R. Johnson
Shelby County
Hilliards P.O.

---

[aguerrero56]

There have been several camps along the Medina River outside SA. "Camp Cook" and "Camp Howard" are the only two I can name. Is it possible that one of these camps became "Camp Medina?" Pinpointing the exact location could be a challenge with all the activity in the area. I'll keep my eye out for information pertaining this camp. Good luck with your search.
Agustin

[Chuck T]

Searches for locations that history seems to have forgotten holds a certain fascination for me. My knowledge of this period is somewhere between slim and non-existent, so take what follows accordingly.

I would start first with where this body of men intended to go, Mexico, but where in Mexico and what route did they intend to take.

Along the banks of the Medina is a given, near San Antonio is a given. There were only so many roads from San Antonio to Mexico, I believe they were two in number in that day, but could very well be mistaken. I think it quite practical to conclude that they would use an existing road for travel, where possible, consistent with mission.

Camping places that would accommodate large bodies of men would I think be few in number, and would probably be the same used in two or more time frames. It could also be that the same place carried two or more names in two or more different time frames.

Now all my hair brained theory has probably narrowed it down to only half the State, good luck in your search, and I will be checking in from time to time to determine progress.

[estebans]

Look for Texas Under Arms by Gerald S. Pierce, which may help. He researched the Republic of Texas forts and camps thoroughly and may have a good lead on any precursor to the Camp Medina in the letter you have.

[aguerrero56]

Jul 3, 2015 12:35:50 GMT -5 estebans said:

Look for Texas Under Arms by Gerald S. Pierce, which may help. He researched the Republic of Texas forts and camps thoroughly and may have a good lead on any precursor to the Camp Medina in the letter you have.

One of my favorite books but it does not specifically mention "Camp Medina," it does mention others like "Camp Cook" and "Camp Howard" right off the Medina river. This leads me to believe this camp was established the same year as the letter. The book does suggest there were many camps in the area but only names the two mentioned above so it's anybody's guess.
Agustin

[Rich Curilla]

It also says (in the San Antonio section) that Deaf Smith camped on the Medina "south of town" but does not designate it a camp as in a more permanent affair.