The following information (letter format - transcribed) was sent to Kevin Purcell by  a descendant of John J. Dix, and Kevin in turn forwarded to me.  I am forwarding to you for placement on the Live Oak County site because several of the men listed in this letter were from Oakville and Live Oak County, TX.  Specifically, all of the Wilburns and McNeills (variant spellings), plus others with whom I am not familiar.

Thanks,  John Hawley

KICKHOME@aol.com

New trail to follow...In the amassed papers I received from Sam Lanham, who got them from the mysterious old couple in Austin during his college days; are a series involving an accusation of horse thievery. It is my theory that the accused persons had perhaps commandeered some range horses for use in military operations. However, during the 1860s, John James Dix was apparently the subject of a disgruntled fellow soldier while both were on duty at a frontier camp in south Texas. Dix spent considerable time and effort disproving the rumor, and clearing his good name.

***Below is list of men accused of horse stealing by Wier. It appears as though he ran off at the mouth, they stretched his neck, then the authorities had to go through the motions of due process. They questioned the accused.

Lampasas April 18th 1862

Volientearly (sic) told Statement made under the gallows:

"A" No. 2

State of Texas

County of Blanco

Before the undersigned personally appeared W.W. Weir to me well known who being duly sworn makes oath that he is well acquainted with John Dicks having served with him in Capt Ford's Company on the Rio Grande during the Cortina expedition said Dicks beinging (sic) 2nd Lieutenant of the company. The whole command, Dick's mess excepted, firmly believed he Dicks was engaged in horse stealing during the time he continued in the company and the men were so convinced that this was the case that they were about to petition Capt Ford to discharge him, upon hearing which Dicks resigned, Dicks mess consisted of himself, Robert B. McNeill, Oscar M. Jackson, and Thomas, (a resident on the Rio Grande) this mess was called the "thief mess" by the company generally, --Thomas' son told me that on one occasion they drove off 200 head of horses in one bunch and that he --Thomas, assisted to drive them as far as the Nueces.

While Dicks and his clan were collecting the above bunch of horses a Mexican claimed a portion of them stating that they had stolen from him. He the Mexican endeavored to obtain possession of his horses but was unable to do so. After they had been driven off the Mexican laid his case before Capt Ford who decided that the horses had been stolen from him, and compelled Dicks to pay the Mexican for the horses. After he had resigned he (Dicks) went to Edingburg and stole a bunch of horses that were under the charge of Capt Stoneyman U.S. Cavalr. Capt Stoneyman and a portion of his command started in pursuit and recovered the horses, but did not capture Dicks and Co. they having taken to the Chaparal

W.W. Wier

Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 19th day of May 1862

Thomas Morgan Chief Justice Blanco Co.

List of Members of Capt Ford's Company who can testify to the above:

Col. Ford at Brownsville Cameron Co.
J.H. Fry (sergeant Major) of Austin Travis Co.
Newel Thayhorn (Private) of Webberville " "
Chas LeEstrange (Clerk of Co) of Austin " "
L.H. Duncan (4th Corporal) of Austin " "
Mat Nolan (Capt of Co. now on the Rio Grande, 1st Lt Ford's Co

****There are 27 witness letters from John James Dix's acquaintances that attest to his honesty and good character, all signed by prominent citizens of Texas. The one you will be most interested in is below

San Antonio, July 7th 1862

Messrs McGee, Blakemore and others--

Gentlemen,
At your request I have invested the charges made against Capt Johh J. Dix, of your Company, and after the most diligent inquiries from amony his neighbors, (many of whom candidly stating that they were not his personal friends, and therefore entitled to credence). I am thoroughly satisfied the charges as untrue, and have been the offspring of prejudice or malace or both-- The most that any of his immediate neighbors charge him with, is that "he is the brother-in-law of the two McNeals" -- both notorioulsy "bad men" They have at times from this fact suspected him; but although numerous efforts & traps were set to try to implicate him, no one was ever able to find the first thing-- This is what both his friends & foes tell me-- and they add, that he has staid among them & lived the old charges down when his life was hourly in danger, and they believe him now to be innocent, or the smartest rogue the state ever produced--in a word-- I think you may safely stamp the charge a base and malicious lie--

Very respectively,

Your Obt Sevt & friend
E.F. Gray, [signed]
Major C.S.P.A.

***Finally the governor makes his decision on the matter.

Executive Department
Austin Texas Aug 31, 1862
Capt J.J. Dix
Comdg Co H, Frontier Regt,

Sir,
Your note including these certain papers in relation to a charge that had been made against your integrity was handed me several days since by J.P. Walker, I have completely examined the papers and been forced to the conclusion that the charges perfered are without foundation in fact or truth.

I had heard but little of the matter. I never arrive at conclusions as to the character of Gentlemen or permit myself to condemn them on rumors, I must hear facts substantiated by more proof--

Trusting this matter is now at rest and that you will most energetically and diligently discharge your duties as the commander of your Company

I am [I cannot transcribe 2 words here]

F.R. Lubbock [signed]

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