Veteran Bio

(H.P.N. Gammel, edit. Laws of Texas 1, 678.)

The following is a copy of a letter written at Houston, June 18, 1840 by R.D. McCLOSKEY and addressed to "His Ex Mirabeau B. Lamar present Houston.

"Being in a bad state of health for some time and low on funds, I am obliged to call on you for the sum of Ten Dollars which I loaned you in Harrisburg to settle bills for which you had not small change. Your memory is pretty good- I am convinced you recollect the circumstances-as we travelled in company from Velasco-to the Army-in 1836-"

(Harriet Smith, Edit., PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BOUAPARTE LAMAR, V,4301) The signature is definitely R. D. McCLOSKEY.

Mr. McCloskey was Second Lieutenant of Captain Andrew Briscoe's Company at San, Jacinto. Through error his name appeared on the army roll as ROBT McCASKEY (Page 30, Army Rolls in the General Land Office).

Robert D. McCaskey was issued Bounty Certificate No. 3862 for 1280 acres of land June 15, 1838, for his service in the army from December 18, 1835 to June 26, 1836. The land was surveyed in the present county of Medina.

On page 133 of the Army Rolls in the General Land Office R. McClaskey is shown as First Lieutenant of Captain Nicholas Lynch's Company at muster June 30, 1836.

Later he succeeded Captain Lynch in command of the company. He was made Captain during a recess of congress and on May 10, 1837, President Houston requested the Senate of the Congress of the Republic to confirm his nomination. The senate did so on May 22nd.

(Secret Journals of the Senate, Republic of Texas, page 51.)

McCASKEY, ROBERT D. -- Enlisted in Captain Sidney Sherman's Company in Kentucky December 18, 1835. Upon reaching Nacogdoches in January, 1836, he was transferred to Captain Henry Teal's company of regulars, of which he was Second Lieutenant at San Jacinto. He received Bounty Certificate No. 3862 for 1280 acres of land June 15, 1838, for having served in the army from December 18, 1835, to June 26, 1836. Army rolls in the General Land Office show Mr. McCaskey as a First Lieutenant of Captain Nicholas Lynch's Company at muster October 31, 1836. Later he succeeded Captain Lynch in command of the company. He was made Captain during a recess of congress and on May 10, 1837, President Houston requested the Senate or the Congress of the Republic to confirm his nomination. They did so on May 22nd.

Captain McCaskey probably left Texas shortly after receiving his discharge from the army. He did not apply for the headright or Donation Certificate due him. Donation certificates could not be sold.

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