The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 7, July 1903 - April, 1904 Page: 319
xvi, 340 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Notes and Fragments.
It is scarcely necessary for me to say which horn of the dilema,
will be laid hold of, and with what pertinacity that hold will be
'maintained. We have no men to spare, but each man is a host.
Our preparation is now poor but hope soon that it will be bet-
tered. There are but few Muskets and only some 6 or 8 pieces
of artillery, & few ball &c but 1000 fathom of chain cable; and
at least 4000 Rifles. If you can get a Map, you will see that we
are well fortified to the west--there being a distance of some 200
miles of a perfect barren desert, & only six watering holes in the
whole route- They now have but one armed vessel (Monte-
zuma) and she mounting one Pivot gun- We are threatened
with a desent by water and land of 10,000 troops-and there has
already arrived at Bexar (formerly San Antonio) some 1500 or
2000 men & 20 pieces of Artillery- The water party cannot, &
we are credibly informed, will not sail to co-operate with them
before Novr via Galveston Bay &c. To meet this imposing force,
we are now preparing-having organized the National Guards
into Companies; and sent orders to the U States for arms &
munitions; and united in the call of a Convention of the people
on the 15th October next. That Convention will Declare us Inde-
pendent, for the reason that we cannot go for the old wreck of a
Republic, that having been subverted, & Centralism substituted in
its stead & acquiesced in by the other States-Letters of marque
will be issued (applications are already rec'd from old & gallant
officers) and we will have afloat a sufficient naval force to guard
our coast and cripple their trade from the Campeachy banks to
N. Orleans- The land party will, thus closed in, be an easy
prey.
Thus, my dear Major, have I given you an outline of our
affairs & those of the enemy. And now comes the main object of
this communication, to wit, Will you authorize me to use your
name at the approaching convention, or at any subsequent time,
as an officer qualified & willing to command as brave a set of
bacAkwoodsmen as ever were led to battle?
The truth is, we are more deficient in suitable materials for
officers, than we are in soldiers-and all being Americans, will be
willing- nay, anxious,-to receive an officer of reputation. I
hope to hear from you by the vessel which will return soon--
and or [sic] any other time you may be pleased write me, & make319
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 7, July 1903 - April, 1904, periodical, 1904; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101030/m1/327/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.