David J. Holt, well known in Georgia as "Ned Bucket," came to Texas with Major William Ward's "Georgia Battalion," which landed at mouth of Brazos, Dec. 20, 1835, and upon its organization in the Texan service, he was appointed its quartermaster, with Henderson Cozart and Lewis M. H. Washington, as his assistants, Green B. Buchanan as commissary, and James Hughes as issuing commissary. He was sent forward by Fannin from Velasco to Copano to arrange for carts and teams to transport Fannin's baggage and supplies, and upon the organization by Fannin, about February 8th, of a provisional regiment of volunteers, he became its quartermaster and, on Fannin's taking over command as acting commander-in-chief, he became Fannin's "Acting Quartermaster General."

On March 13th he accompanied Col. Ward on the expedition to Refugio to relieve Captain King, and distinguished himself in action on March 14th. On March 16th, Ward's Command being lost in the prairie between Copano and mouth of San Antonio, a detachment of seven men under Holt, was detached to find water. This party never succeeded in returning to Ward's command, but made its way to Victoria ahead of Ward on March 21st, just as Urrea's advance was entering the town. Holt's party was fired upon by the enemy and dispersed, and Urrea reported it as having been destroyed, but the entire seven, in fact, escaped, and made their way to the settlements.

On April 1st Holt was at Harrisburg where he tendered his resignation to President Burnett. He afterward made his home in Texas, and was, at one time, justice of the peace for Brazoria county.