SONS OF DEWITT COLONY TEXAS
©1997-2019, Wallace L. McKeehan, All Rights Reserved
Independence-Index
Remember
Bexar" should be an equally strong symbolic cry against corruption, greed,
dictatorship and for self-determination as "Remember La Bahia", "Remember
the Alamo."--Don Guillermo
......"the most glorious feat of
arms of the Texas Revolution."---Francis Lubbock
....."the departure of the forces
under Cos was the turning point in the struggle for Texas independence. Hereafter, all
Mexican troops in Texas would be invaders, not defenders, and Texas was destined to remain
Texan evermore."---Richard Santos
"All has been lost save
honor!"---Centralist officer Sanchez Navarro |
For Biographies, Search
Handbook of Texas Online
|
Muster at Gonzales
Siege and Battle of Bexar
October 3-December 11
1835 |
|
Texian Mexican Federalists
12 Oct--300 men; 28 Oct--ca. 400;
4 Nov--ca. 450; 5 Nov--ca. 600-800; 14 Nov <600
11 October-24 November 1835
Commanders & units not all concurrent
(DeWitt Colonists**)
Commander-in-Chief: Gen. Stephen F. Austin
Regimental Officers
Lt. Col./Col. Edward Burleson
Col. John H. Moore
Maj. Alexander Somervell
Lt. Col. Philip A. Sublett
Staff
Col. James Bowie (Adj. Gen.)
Col. Warren D.C. Hall (Adjutant Gen.)
Col. F.W. Johnson (Adjutant Gen.)
Col. David B. McComb (Asst. Adj. Gen.)
Patrick C. Jack (Quartermaster Gen.)
Valentine Bennet**
(Asst. Qtr. Gen.)
Noah Scott (Dep. Asst. Qtr.)
William H. Jack (Brigade Insp.)
Peter W. Grayson (Aide de Camp)
William T. Austin (Aide de Camp)
Thomas J. Rusk (Aide de Camp)
Maj. William H. Wharton (Judge Adv. Gen.)
Companies:
Capt. Thomas Alley
Capt. Plácido Benavides
Capt.
Andrew Briscoe
Capt. Mathew Caldwell**
Capt. Robert W. Coleman
Capt. Jacob Eberly
Capt. James W. Fannin, Jr.
Capt. Michael R. Goheen
Capt. I. Hall |
Companies:
Capt. Byrd Lockhart**
Capt. Albert Martin**
Capt. Morris (NO Greys)
Capt. J. Robison**
Capt. James G. SwisherArtillery
Capt. James C. Neill
Capt. T. L. F. Parrott
Scouting Companies:
Col. Benjamin R. Milam
Capt. Juan Seguín
Capt. William B. Travis
Spies
Kendrick Arnold
Erastus "Deaf" Smith**
John W. Smith**
Surgeon-General/Chaplain
William P. Smith
Medical Corp
Joseph E. Field
Thomas J. Gazely
T. Kenney
Amos Pollard** |
24 November-11 December 1835
24 Nov--517 men; 25 Nov--350; 30 Nov--400-500; 6 Dec
ca. 300
(Participants "Grass Fight"+)
Commander-in-Chief: Gen. Edward Burleson
Staff
Col. F.W. Johnson (Adj. & Insp. Gen.)+
Col. Philip A. Sublett (Asst. Adj. & Insp. Gen.)+
Col. Wm. T. Austin (Aide de Camp)
N.R. Brister (Adj.)
Col. William H. Jack+
Maj. Alexander Somervell+Commander First Division
Col. Benjamin R. Milam
Maj. Robert C. Morris
Companies:
Capt. John Crane
Capt. George English
Capt William Landrum
Capt. Thomas Llewellyn
Capt. William Patton
Capt. John York**+
Lt. Col. Nidland Franks (artillery)
Commander Second Division
Col. Francis W. Johnson
Col. James Grant
Companies:
Capt. Thomas Alley+
Capt. Plácido Benavides
Capt. Thomas H. Breece
Capt.
William G. Cooke
Capt. Peter J. Duncan
Capt. H. H. Edwards
Capt. J. W. Peacock
Capt. James G. Swisher+ |
Reserve & Scouting:
Col. James Bowie
Capt. Thomas W. Borden
Capt. John M. Bradley+Spies/Guides
Kendrick Arnold
Erastus "Deaf" Smith**
John W. Smith**
Companies:
Capt. James Cheshire
Capt. Robert W. Coleman+
Capt. M. B. Lewis
Capt. John S. Roberts
Thomas J. Rusk
Capt. Michael Ruth
Capt. Juan Seguín
Capt. Peyton Splane+
Capt. William Sutherland**
Capt. Henry Teal+
James C. Neill (artillery)
Medical Corp
Joseph E. Field
Thomas J. Gazely
T. Kenney
Albert M. Levy
Amos Pollard** |
List of the Texian Wounded During the Storm
of Bexar Between 5 to 10 Dec 1835
Mortal (2): Lt. John Cook, George
Alexander
Dangerous (7): Capt. J.W. Peacock, Lt.
Thomas W. Ward, Lt. John L. Hall, Alexander Abrahams, William Thomas, James Knowlin, John
Beldin
Severe (11): Col. Grant, Edward S.
Pullam, James McGee, Greenberry Logan, Samuel G. Everett, William McDermott, George W.
Main, D.C. Mitchison, James M. Cass, Erastus Smith, James West
Slight (3): Outlaw, John Cornil, Boyle
The two reported mortal have since died. The rest are doing well.
Albert M. Long
From a battle contemporary roster in the Texas Archives. |
Mexican Centralistas
24 Oct: ca. 750 men; 28 Oct. ca. 650; 4 Nov ca. 700; 1 Dec: ca. 570; 8
Dec: ca. 1045
Casualties: ca. 150
Deserted +
Commander-in-Chief:
Gen. Martin Perfecto de Cos
Permanent Battalion of Morelos:
Col. Nicholás Condelle
Presidial Cavalry Corps:
Col. Domingo de Ugartechea
Col. Mariano Cos |
Companies:
Agua Verde+
Álamo de Parras
Second Alamo Bavia:
Capt. Jesus de la Garza
Béxar
Lampazos |
Morelos:
Capt. Apolinario MoralesFirst Nuevo León
Second Nuevo León
Pueblo
Río Grande
First Tamaulipas:
Capt. Pedro Quintero
Second Tamaulipas |
The following is the story of the Siege and
Battle of Bexar which shaped the course of the Texas struggle for independence as told
through the eyes and original letters of the participants. "Remember
Bexar" should be an equally symbolic cry against corruption, greed, dictatorship and
for self-determination as "Remember La Bahia" and "Remember the
Alamo," whose glamour and myths have shadowed it.
Samuel Maverick's Diary 1835
Herman Ehrenberg's Account 1843
William T. Austin's Account 1844
Role of Col. Burleson Wm. T. AUSTIN TO EDITOR 3
Aug 1844
The Grass Fight--John Hancock Hunter 1860
On raising the siege or storming Bexar.
Francis Johnson 1880's
March to
Bexar--Battle of Concepcion--by Noah Smithwick ca. 1898
The March, Siege and Battle for Bexar-DeWitt
Colonist Creed Taylor ca. 1900
Who will Go With Old Ben Milam? San Antonio Express
1930
Significance of the Battle for Bexar--Don Guillermo 1998
Andrew Kent-David Boyd Kent-Ben Highsmith-Andrew
Sowell
Original Archival Letters and Documents
(From diverse sources, in largest part The Papers of the Texas
Revolution 1835-1836, John Holland Jenkins, ed.)
3-15 Oct | 16-31 Oct
| 1-15 Nov | 16-30 Nov | Dec
| Post-Battle
Confrontation
at Gonzales--Arrival of Cos AUSTIN TO KERR 3 Oct
Appeal for muster at Gonzales WHARTON
TO PUBLIC
Call for volunteers in Gonzales FISHER TO
AUSTIN 3 Oct
Description battle--muster at Gonzales
TRAVIS TO JONES 3 Oct
Call for muster at Gonzales WHARTON TO
PUBLIC 3 Oct
Call to Arms AUSTIN TO COMMITTEE 4
Oct
Circular announcing war AUSTIN TO
COMMITTEE 4 Oct
Reward offer for Cos and Williams VOLUNTEERS TO
PUBLIC 5 Oct
War preparations on the coast. McKINNEY TO
WILLIAMS 5-6 Oct
Austin's goals AUSTIN TO BURNET 5 Oct
Inquiry on status of invasion J.H. BELL TO AUSTIN 6
Oct
Flores pleasure with arrival of Cos GASPAR
FLORES TO ZENTENO 6 Oct
Request for aid at Gonzales GRAYSON ET AL TO
AUSTIN 6 Oct
Reconciliation of Austin and Wharton at Gonzales Early
Oct
Bowie's resignation as officer BOWIE TO AUSTIN 9 Oct
Election of Austin to Commander GRAYSON TO AUSTIN 11
Oct
March to Bexar begins AUSTIN TO COMMITTEE 11
Oct
Austin General Orders-Appointments AUSTIN ORDERS
11 Oct
Parole of Lt. Col. Sandoval of Goliad KERR/LINN TO
GRAYSON 11 Oct
Staff appointments AUSTIN ORDERS 13 Oct
COS TO TROOPS 13 Oct 1835
Dimmit support's Austin DIMITT TO AUSTIN l3
Oct
William Jack's cautionary advice JACK to AUSTIN 13
Oct
Situation report from San Felipe ROYALL TO AUSTIN
13 Oct
Rules for troop discipline AUSTIN GENERAL
ORDER 14 Oct
Orders to scouts HALL to MILAM 14 Oct
Angel Navarro to Bexar public 14 Oct
Organization and procedures AUSTIN ORDERS 15
Oct
Control of entry/exit in Bexar COS TO NAVARRO 15
Oct 1835
Position
report AUSTIN TO COMMITTEE 16 Oct
Centralista military reports OFFICERS TO COS 16 Oct
Call to Arms against Texians GOMEZ TO INHABITANTS 17
Oct
Linn report from Goliad LINN TO AUSTIN 17 Oct
1835
Offer of truce to Cos AUSTIN TO COS 17 Oct
Austin General Orders AUSTIN COUNCIL OF WAR
18 Oct
Rejection of truce by Cos COS TO
AUSTIN 18 Oct
Cos Report to War Minister COS TO TORNEL 19 Oct
Continue march to Salado AUSTIN COUNCIL
OF WAR 19 Oct
List of Bexar supporters NAVARRO TO COS 20
Oct
Report of Tamaulipas Co. QUINTERO TO COS 20 Oct
1835
Report from Goliad DIMITT TO AUSTIN 20 Oct
Request for supplies FANNIN TO JONES 21 Oct
List of passports NAVARRO TO COS 21 Oct
Orders to Bowie/Fannin AUSTIN TO BOWIE 22 Oct
Report to Goliad AUSTIN TO DIMITT 22
Oct
Report from mission Espada BOWIE/FANNIN TO AUSTIN 22
Oct
Appointment of Juan Seguin AUSTIN TO
DIMITT 23 Oct
Commission to Juan Seguin AUSTIN TO SEGUIN
23 Oct
Report from missions San Juan/San Jose BOWIE/FANNIN TO
AUSTIN 23 Oct
Release of Capt. Savarigo ROYALL ORDER 23 Oct
Supplies for Bexar LETTER TO MCKENNEY ET
AL. 23 Oct
Response to Troop Requests AUSTIN TO
BOWIE/FANNIN 24 Oct
Report to Council AUSTIN TO COUNCIL 24
Oct
Supply Authorization AUSTIN TO SEGUIN 24
Oct
Reports and Requests BOWIE/FANNIN TO
AUSTIN 24 Oct
Ruiz Evidence NAVARRO TO COMMANDANT
25 Oct
Move to Mission Espada AUSTIN TO COUNCIL
26 Oct
Should members of convention depart? BRYAN
TO PERRY 26 Oct
Commission to Moore AUSTIN TO MOORE 26 Oct
Report COS TO TORNEL 26 Oct
Orders AUSTIN TO BOWIE 27 Oct
Orders AUSTIN TO TRAVIS 27 Oct
General AUSTIN ORDERS 27 Oct
Report-Battle of Concepcion BOWIE/FANNIN
TO AUSTIN ca. 28 Oct
Report-Battle of Concepcion AUSTIN TO
CONVENTION 28 Oct
Dispatch of guides AUSTIN TO RUSK 28 Oct
Order on discipline AUSTIN ORDER 28 Oct
Description of Concepcion BRYAN TO PERRY 28
Oct
From Goliad-LIST OF STORES 28 Oct
Protest of Houston's traitorous conduct HUFF/JACK
TO COUNCIL 28 Oct
Receiving deserters AUSTIN TO BOWIE/FANNIN
31 Oct
Bowie's offer of truce to Cos BOWIE TO COS 31
Oct
Appeal to maintain siege ROYALL TO TROOPS
31 Oct
Barragan-Tornel to Governors and Commanders 31 Oct
Situation
Report AUSTIN TO BOWIE/FANNIN 1 Nov
Report to headquarters BOWIE/FANNIN TO
AUSTIN 1 Nov
Council decision not to storm Bexar COUNCIL OF
WAR 2 Nov
Report not to storm AUSTIN TO BOWIE/FANNIN
2 Nov
Order to headquarters AUSTIN TO
BOWIE/FANNIN 2 Nov
Bowie resigns BOWIE TO AUSTIN 2 Nov
Report-Battle of Concepcion AUSTIN TO
DIMMIT 2 Nov
Report of Bowie's division FANNIN TO
AUSTIN 2 Nov
Situation Report AUSTIN TO CONSUL. 4 Nov
General review/inspection ORDERS TO
BOWIE/RUSK 5 Nov
No Mexicans in Camp Petition JOHNSON ET AL TO
AUSTIN 6 Nov
Orders to patrol west of Bexar AUSTIN TO
BRISCO 6 Nov
Resignation of Travis TRAVIS TO AUSTIN 6
Nov
Election of Brigade Colonel ELECTION RETURNS
ca. 7 Nov
Burleson Replaces Moore AUSTIN TO
BURLESON 7 Nov
Situation Report AUSTIN TO CONSUL. 7 Nov
Company Elections AUSTIN ORDER 7 Nov
About Uncle S.F. Austin BRYAN TO PERRY 7 Nov
Appeal to Houston IRVINE TO HOUSTON 7 Nov
Will Remain with Troops AUSTIN TO CONSUL.
8 Nov
Resignation of Wharton WHARTON TO AUSTIN
8 Nov
Intercept Reinforcements AUSTIN TO FANNIN
9 Nov
Foresees Defeat of Texians GUERRERO TO AYUNTO. 9 Nov
Rules on Discipline AUSTIN ORDER 10 Nov
AUSTIN PROCLAMATION 10 Nov
Report on Capt. Barragan's encounter COS TO
TORNEL 11 Nov
Fannin's Position AUSTIN TO TRAVIS 11 Nov
On Security AUSTIN GENERAL ORDER 12 Nov
1835
Report BURLESON TO AUSTIN 12 Nov 1835
Fannin Appointment HOUSTON TO
FANNIN 13 Nov
Orders AUSTIN TO FANNIN 14 Nov
Order to Join Fannin AUSTIN TO FLORES 14
Nov
Appeal for Reinforcement AUSTIN TO
HOUSTON 14 Nov
Bexar Situation Report RUSK TO HOUSTON 14
Nov
Ugartechea's Foraging Expedition AUSTIN TO
BURLESON 15 Nov
Observations and Opinions MILAM/ROYALL TO
FANNIN 15 Nov
Security
and Feeding AUSTIN ORDER 16 Nov 1835
Capture of Horses TRAVIS TO AUSTIN 16 Nov
Reduction of Waste AUSTIN TO JACK 17 Nov
Deserter Reports AUSTIN ORDER 17 Nov
For Storming Bexar AUSTIN TO CONSUL. 18
Nov
Appeal to Bexar inhabitants AUSTIN
PROCLAMATION 18 Nov
Situation Letter BRYAN TO PERRY 18 Nov
Report from Rio Frio FANNIN TO AUSTIN 18
Nov
Desires Brig. General Appointment FANNIN
TO HOUSTON 18 Nov
Resignation W. D. C. HALL TO AUSTIN 18 Nov
Personal Situation Report JOHNSON TO
WILLIAMSON 18 Nov
Request for Aid GARZA TO LAREDO 19 Nov
Viesca's Disinterest in Texas PADILLA TO
COUNCIL 20 Nov
Erection of battery AUSTIN ORDER 21 Nov
Opposition to Storming BURLESON TO
AUSTIN 21 Nov
Opposition to Storming SUBLETT TO AUSTIN
21 Nov
Discharge of Fannin AUSTIN TO FANNIN 22
Nov
Personal Report AUSTIN TO PERRY 22 Nov
Arrival New Orleans Grays AUSTIN ORDER 22
Nov
Roster of the New Orleans Grays
Burleson Elected Commander AUSTIN ORDER 24
Nov
Austin Turns Command to Burleson GENERAL ORDER 24 Nov
Resignation GOHEEN TO AUSTIN 24 Nov
Gonzales Key to Texas Defense HOUSTON TO
MARTIN 24 Nov
Situation Report RUSK TO ROBINSON 25 Nov
Declines Commissioner Appointment WHARTON TO
ARCHER 26 Nov
Burleson-"Grass Fight" BURLESON
TO GOVERNMENT 27 Nov
Jack-"Grass Fight" JACK TO BURLESON
27 Nov
Description of the "Grass Fight"--Thomas
Jefferson Rusk
Report of the "Grass Fight" COS TO
TORNEL 27 Nov
Situation report and viewpoint AUSTIN TO
GOVERNMENT 30 Nov
On arrival in San Felipe from Bexar BRYAN TO
PERRY 30 Nov
Appeal for support at Bexar CHESSHER AND McHANKS TO
GOVT 30 Nov
Provisions for Bexar troops PATRICK/PETTUS TO
GOVERNMENT 30 Nov
Supplies for 1500 troops SESMA TO POLITICAL
CHIEF 30 Nov 1835
Orders to Col. Gonzales ROBINSON TO
GONZALES 3 Dec
First
assault BURLESON/MILAM TO GOVERNMENT 6 Dec
Response to attack on Bexar SMITH TO BURLESON
9 Dec
Call for aid to Milam after storm SMITH
CIRCULAR 9 Dec
Gonzales appeal GONZALES TO TROOPS 10 Dec
Mexia's appeal MEXIA PROCLAMATION
Burleson/Milam-assault on Bexar
BURLESON TO AUSTIN 11 Dec
Surrender of Cos COS CAPITULATION 11 Dec
Acccount of 10-11 Dec by Col. José
Juan Sanchez-Navarro Dec 1835
F.W. Johnson's report JOHNSON TO BURLESON
11 Dec
Inventory of Military Stores, 13 Dec
Burleson's report BURLESON TO SMITH 14 Dec
Cos Report to Minister of War Tornel 15 Dec 1835
Congratulations COUNCIL TO ARMY AT BEXAR 15 Dec
Officers Volunteer Army JOHNSON TO
GOVERNMENT 17 Dec
W.D. Dewees to Clara
Cardello 25 Dec 1835
Letter-Capt. Gus Jones 15 Jan 1836
Henry Dance to Editors 25 Apr 1836
Dr. Joseph E. Field--Three Years in Texas, 2
Sep 1836
Mag Stiff on Storming Bexar STIFF NOTES ca. Dec
1836
W. G. Cook, Washington, Texas Feb 1844
Storming of Bexar--State Gazette 1849
Heroic Action of John Ingram--J.H. Kuykendall 1858
Leandro Chavez Pension Petition 1874
Julian Diaz Pension Petition 1874
Capt. D.L. Kokernot 1878
Heroic Action of Sylvester--S.F. Sparks 1899
J. M. Rodriquez 1913
Confrontation at
Gonzales--Arrival of Gen. Cos in Texas 3 Oct 1835 AUSTIN TO KERR
San Felipe Oct. 3. 1835 I have this moment recd. your letters dated 1st
instant---The communications which were taken yesterday by Mr Lightfoot, and today by Mr
Perkins, will have informed you fully attack made on Gonzales, and that voluntiers from
every point of this country have marched and are marching to that point, is at present the
general rendezvous of the army of people---Expresses have been sent to Trinity and to
Trinity and Nacogdoches, and a large force is expected from that quarter---The campaign is
opened, and it must not be closed untill Bexar is taken and all the military are driven
out of Texas. A report reached here that the voluntiers from Colombia who were to
rendezvous at Kerrs had been turned back, in consequence of news received by them from
Matagorda---in consequence of which I dispatched an express to Colombia on receipt of the
news of the attack on Gonzales---I also dispatched the same to Matagorda, and yesterday to
La Baca. Correct information, as to Cos's movements, and concert between Gonzales and La
Baca is very important-It is possible that Cos may attempt a forced march to this place
from Goliad, in the absence of the men at Gonzales. It would be well to keep this idea in
view and to obtain certain information, when he left Goliad, and where the Morelos
Battalion have stopped-whether they went on to Bexar, or have remained at Goliad- I expect
the men from Harrisburg will be on by tomorrow or next day to this place, and unless
otherwise advised they will continue on to Gonzales I regret that there are no Guns to be
had in this quarter for the supply of Capt. Allens company. There is public powder at
Matagorda which you can get by applying for in my name to the committee of that place, as
they informed me they would hold it subject to my order. I shall dispatch expresses with
the information contained in your letters, to every part of the upper and eastern country.
I presume you have of course informed them in Matagorda and Bay Prairie from which it will
go to Colombia. There are some who will not yet believe that Genl. Cos has come on-send
all the positive information you can on this subject in a letter signed by James Kerr,
John Alley, George Sutherland, or some others who are well known, in order that it may be
printed with the signatures The printing press will be ready to print in this place
tomorrow-you can therefore send me what you wish to have published S. F.
Austin To James Kerr and John Alley
Appeal for muster at
Gonzales Oct 1835 WHARTON TO PUBLIC
Arm, Arm, and Out Notice. I am just now leaving for the Camp at Gonzales. All who
are backward or refuse to go without the best excuse in the world will in the remorse and
bitterness of soul, say to themselves, in after times, the gallant have fallen in vain!!!!
My countrymen and have won immortal renoun-or have bled and fallen fighting my battles,
and fighting for the great principle of human liberty, and I was not There. Let all who
wish to avoid this heart rending reflection march immediately to the Camp at Gonzales.
Every person who cannot go himself, and who withholds a horse gun from those willing to go
will be considered a traitor to his country and therefore Infamous. Let no one however
stop for want of a horse; Soldiers who are in earnest have often marched on foot ten times
as far as from here to San Antonio. William H. Wharton Agent for the Volunteers
Call for volunteers in
Gonzales 3 Oct 1835 WILLIAM FISHER TO AUSTIN
Gonzales, October 3, 1835. Your letter of September 27, has been received, and we
are rejoiced to hear that volunteers are on their march to our assistance. The rubicon is
crossed, and it is now of vital importance to Texas that we should be immediately
reinforced About 12 o'clock on the 20th the Military, about two hundred in number, arrived
on the western bank of the Guadalupe, and attempted the passage of the river, but were
repulsed by eighteen men (the whole force then in this place,) they then encamped on the
mound at DeWitt's. On the 1st Oct, about 12 o'clock, thcy then took tip their march and
encamped about seven miles above this place, in a very strong position. Suspecting that
their object in this movement was either to wait for reinforcement from San Antonio, or to
cross at the tipper crossing, about fifteen miles above, it was determined to attack them
before their plans could be carried into execution. Accordingly, on the same night, the
whole force on foot, amounting to about one hundred and sixty men, from the Guadalupe,
Colorado, and La Baca, commanded by Colonel J. H. Moore, crossed the river, attacked the
enemy about daybreak, and put them flight without the loss of a single man. Inasmuch as we
expect a formidable attack from Ugartachie, should the forces long remain idle, the
determination is to attack San Antonio, as soon as we can receive reinforcements, to
prevent this country, as far as possible, from becoming the battle ground. This committee,
therefore, earnestly desire that you would use your influence to send to this place, as
soon as possible, as many volunteers as possible. Yours respectfully, Wm. Fisher,
Chairman Colonel S. F. Austin, Chairman of committee of Austin.
Battle and muster at Gonzales
3 Oct 1835 TRAVIS TO JONES
San Felipe, October 3rd 1835 I avail myself of the opportunity of writing to you
by Mr. Morton---important news on the carpet is that received by express from Gonzales
night before last. Letters from Captains Coleman, Moore, & Albert Martin, dated the
30th Septr note that the Mexicans appeared in force say 125 to 150 men, on the western
bank of the Guadalupe, & encamped on that day- That on the 29th there were only 18
Americans in arms at Gonzales-that on the 30th there were 150-collected from Bastrop
Colorado & Washington - & that reinforcements were daily arming. That they would
elect a commander in chief on that day & the probability was the Americans would
attack the Spaniards that evening - Coleman says - "You need not be surprised, if
you hear we have attacked them this day"- They expected reinforcements from San
Antonio & therefore they call for aid & that with dispatch - All that were
prepared have gone from here - Jack - Ewing, Somervell, Jackson Anderson, Bradly, Grayson
&c &c &c put off yesterday & some are going daily- Col. Austin approves
the whole & writes day & night in the cause-all are united, our frontier is
attacked & who says now that we shall not fight? Let us go at it heart &
hand-stand up like men & have nothing to fear-I have been quite sick with influenza,
or I would have gone. I expect to go in a few days. I want to hear of Capt. W. Martin's
taking the field-Altho I regret the course he has pursued yet I would regret to loose his
valuable services in the field-where he can be more useful than most men & more
serviceable than in any other department. You may say to the people of Fort settlement
that among others I am a candidate for the Convention & will feel grateful for their
suffrages, if they believe me qualified to serve them at this important crisis. My
compliments to Mrs. Jones and family. Your friend W. Barret Travis
[Addressed: Capt. Randal Jones Fort Settlement]
Call for
muster at Gonzales 3 Oct 1835 WHARTON TO PUBLIC
Fellow Citizens In accordance with the request of the Volunteers, I proceed to inform you
that I parted with them at midnight, on Friday last under march to join their countrymen
at Gonzales. They were to a man in excellent health and spirits. It is now ascertained
that Gen. Cos is in La Bahia. It is said that he has with him 800 pair of Iron Hobbles for
our benefit. If Texas will turn out promptly, he will be the first man to wear a pair of
his own hobbles. In the language of the caption of this article, "now's the day
and now's the hour." Five hundred men can do more now than 5000 six months
hence. St. Antonio can be starved into a surrender in ten days, if there are volunteers
enough to surround the town and cut of their supplies. The inhabitants seldom raise enough
for their own consumption, and 800 troops being thrown upon them, has brought the place to
the door of starvation. Bread is out of the question with them, and they have no hopes of
obtaining meat, except eating their horses or pillaging from the Colonists. The Volunteers
are determined never to return until St. Antonio has fallen, and every soldier of the
Central Government has been killed or driven out of Texas. One great object of the
Volunteers, is to intercept Cos between La Bahia & St. Antonio. After this if enough
of our countrymen assemble, they will take St. Antonio by storm-if not they will surround
the place-cut off their supplies and starve them into a surrender. Let all who can; turn
out, and that immediately- Let no one say that business detains him; for what business can
be so important as to crush the enemy advance, and thereby put an end forever, or at least
for some time to come to this unholy attempt to bring us under the yoke of Military
Despotism, or to expel us from the country. If St. Antonio is not taken, it will be a
rallying point, where they will in a few months concentrate thousands of troops. If it is
taken they Will have no foothold among us, and the power of the nation cannot reestablish
one. Fellow citizens: there are enemy fighting our battles, more from sympathy, and from a
detestation of oppression than from any great pecuniary interest they have in the country.
These generous and heroic individuals should be sustained and encouraged in their
magnammous efforts to render us a service. Arrangements are inaking in Brazoria &
Matagorda, to send them supplies of Provisions and Ammunition. &c. Columbia and San
Felipe ought to, & I have no doubt will do the same. If subscription papers are
[illegible], the people will liberally contribute. Let me again implore you to turn out
promptly and universally and repair to Gonzales. In this case we will conquer, and that
suddenly. Ours is no rebellious or revolutionary or voluntary warfare. It has been forced
upon us. justice, liberty, the constitution, & the god of battles are on our side, and
the proud and imperious Dictator, Santa Ana, will be made to feel and know from blood
bought experience, that a people who have adopted the motto of their ancesters, "Liberty
or Death," will crush & laugh [illegible] his tyranic attempt to enslave
them. This campaign [illegible] with the Consultation which is truly indispensible to us
at present. If the war is over they assemble at the place appointed if not, let the
members equip themselves for battle, repair to the camp and in a short time they may enjoy
the proud satisfaction of holding the Consultation within the Walls of San Antonio. I will
leave Brazoria for the Camp at Gonzales on tomorrow and would be glad that as many as
could equip themselves by that time would bear me company. Those who cannot be ready
tomorrow should continue to [illegible]. Their services will be valuable, if they can join
us even 10 or 15 days hence. I feel every confidence that there will be within a few days
upward of 800 American Volunteers at Gonzales. Wm. H. Wharton Brazoria, October 3d, 1835.
Declaration of war, call
to arms 4 Oct 1835 AUSTIN TO COMMITTEE
Committee Room of the jurisdiction of Austin. San Felipe 4 october 1835. The
inclosed printed circular will inform the people in that district of the present posture
of affairs War is declared-public opinion has proclaimed it against Military despotism-
The campaign has commenced- The Military have advanced to Gonzales- Gen Cos has arrived
and threatens to overrun the country- But one spirit and one purpose animates the people
of this part of the country, and that is to take Bexar, and drive the Military out of
Texas. It is now hoped that every man will maturely study this subject, and make up his
mind, and act according to the dictates of his own judgement. A combined effort of all
Texas would soon free our soil of Military despots-we should then have peace, for the
present Gov of Mexico have too much to do at home to sustain themselves against the
attacks of the friends of the constitution of 1824, who are now in arms in Zacatecas and
other places, to send another army to Texas. This committee hopes that you will send an
express to Trinity with copies of this communication, and with the inclosed printed
papers. S. F. Austin Chairman of Com. To the Committee of Safety of
Harrisburgh
Circular announcing
opening of war 4 Oct 1835 AUSTIN TO COMMITTEE
Circular from the Committee of Safety of the Jurisdiction of Austin to the
Committee of Nacogdoches and San Augustin. San Felipe de Austin, October 4, 1835. War is
declared against military despotism. Public opinion has proclaimed it with one united
voice. The campaign has opened. The military at Bejar has advanced upon Gonzales. General
Cos has arrived and threatens to overrun the country. But on spirit, one common purpose,
animates every one in this department, which is to take Bejar, and drive all the military
out of Texas before the campaign closes. There are about three hundred volunteers at
Gonzales at this time, and there will be upwards of five hundred in a few days. It is
confidently believed in this quarter, that the people of the department of Nacogdoches
will turn out, and join the ARMY OF THE PEOPLE, now in the field, and facing the enemy.
Arms and ammunition are needed; we have more men than guns. Could not some musket be
procured from the other side of the Sabine? This Committee will contribute, and is
responsible that the people here will do the same, to pay a full proportion of the
expense. This is all-important; a few wagon-loads of muskets and fixed ammunition would be
of the utmost service at this time. Could not volunteers also be had from the United
States? Our cause is one that merits the moral and physical aid of a free and magnanimous
people; and those who now step forward, may confidently expect that Texas will reward
their services. That distinguished and virtuous patriot, Don Lorenzo de Zavala, formerly
governor of the State of Mexico, and late minister to France, has just arrived from his
residence on the San Jacinto, and is now here, at the house of the chairman of this
Committee. He is a citizen of Texas, and enters fully and warmly into the cause of the
people. He also approves very much of the position they have taken against military
despotism, and of the circular of this committee of the 19th ult. This Committee relies on
you to forward copies of this communication to San Augustin and the other committees in
that quarter, and also to send the enclosed papers to some printer in the United States
for publication, in order that the public may be generally informed of the present state
of affairs in Texas. An express has been sent to San Jacinto and Trinty. It would,
however, be important for that committee to communicate with the people of Trinity, and of
Bevil's Settlement, as it inspires confidence to know that the whole country is acting in
union, and with one and the same spirit and purpose. This, as I before observed, is to
take Bejar, and drive the military out of Texas before the campaign closes. Respectfully,
your obedient servant, S. F. Austin Chairman of Committee
Reward for Cos and Williams
VOLUNTEERS TO PUBLIC 5 Oct 1835
$5000 Will be paid to the individual who kills or takes prisoner General Martin Perfecto
de Cos, and $500 will be paid for the arrest and detention in close custody of John A.
Williams who by the most infamous lying and by the production of forged letters from Santa
Anna and Cos prevented 66 Volunteers from joining their countrymen at Gonzales.
Volunteers. Brazoria, October 5th, 1835.
War Preparations. McKINNEY
TO WILLIAMS 5-6 Oct 1835
[Thomas F. McKinney, Quintana, to Samuel May Williams, New Orleans, October 5-6, 1835,
about preparations in Texas to meet Cos, and the need for vessels to protect the coast.]
Austin statement of goals
and strategy 5 Oct 1835 AUSTIN TO BURNET
San Felipe Oct. 5, 1835 My friend-All goes well and gloriously for Texas-the
whole country is in arms and moved by one spirit, which is to take Bexar and drive all the
military out of Texas-This is as it should be- No half way measures now-war in full I hope
you will enter ardently and warmly in the cause Now is the time-no more doubts-no
submission- I hope to see Texas forever free from Mexican domination of any kind- It is
yet too soon to say this publically-but that is the point we shall aim at-and it is the
one I am aiming at- But we must arrive at it by steps. And not all at one jump
S. F. Austin [D. G. Burnet Esqr. San Jacinto.
Inquiry on Status of Mexican
Invasion J.H. BELL TO AUSTIN 6 Oct 1835
Columbia Oct 6 1835 Dear Sir We heare nothing that we Can rely on relative
to the Expedition against St Antonia and feel very anxious on that affair-it is rumored
here that they have had an engagement at Gonzallas and that Cos is in St Antona with a
large force all of which we know nothing as to the facts it is also rumered that they are
perparing a decent on the mouth of this river by watter with a forse of 2000 men all of
which is only rumer-should that be the Case is not the Coast Country in a defenseless
situation as it is left bearer of men than any other part of the Country and intirely
destitute of armes-if you know any thing of the true state of things do let us know as
spedly as possible should we have an attact by watter with our Slave popalation among us
as it is would we not be much -Exposed would it be prudent for any more men to leave the
lower Country in the present state of things or not- do inform us of Everything you Can by
Every opertunity we wish to do for the best in all cases and is only at a loss to know
what is best do not omit any oportunity of righting and if any thing occurs send an
Express let us know how many men is out and what is the proble amt of the Enemy-and all
other things Connected with our intrust. Myself and famaly are some better in health than
when you last heard from us J. H. Bell [Addressed:] Col. Stephen
F. Austin or P. W. Grayson St Filepe
Request for Aid GRAYSON ET AL
TO AUSTIN 6 Oct 1835
Gonzales October 6 1835 12 o'clock at night Dr. Col You will receive important dispatches
by the Bearer that Col Ugartachea and probably Gen Cos-are now on their march here, with
all their forces to take the Gun if it is not delivered You will see by Ugartachea's
letter to you., he proposes a sort of compromise. That will give us an opportunity to
entertain him a little while, upon the Suggestion that you are sent for, until we can get
in more ment. We who subscribe this, request you earnestly to come on immediatelys,,
bringing all the aid you possible Can-we want powder and lead. Do all you can to sent on
instantly as much as possible. P.W. Grayson J.W.E.
Wallace Pat C. Jack Jno. J. Linn
J.W. Fannin Jr. S.R. Miller
Thos. P. Gazsley A. Pollard
[Addressed:] Col. Stephen F. Austin at San Felipe de Austin.
Flores Pleased with Arrival of
Cos GASPAR FLORES TO ZENTENO 6 Oct 1835
[Gaspar Flores, Bexar, to Juan Zenteno, Goliad, October 6, 1835, declaring himself pleased
at the arrival of Cos in Texas and hoping that the affairs of Texas will soon be settled.]
Resignation of James Bowie BOWIE
TO AUSTIN 9 Oct 1835
At Camp above San Antonio, October 9, 1835. To General Stephen F. Austin: I
have declined further action under the appointment given to me by yourself. This you
will therefore look upon as my resignation. I will be found in Captain Fannin's
company, where my duty to my country and the principles of human rights shall be
discharged on my part to the extent of my abilities as a private. Respectfully,
James Bowie.
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