The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905 Page: 153
xiii, 358 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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De Witt's Golony.
153
yield. We are weak and few in number, nevertheless we are con-
tending for what we believe to be just principles." 1
Castefiada replied that they had no right to retain the cannon
which had been lent as a favor, and maintained that it was an out-
rage to keep as prisoners the corporal and soldiers who had come
for it. But the regidor only repeated the substance of the letter
above.
In the afternoon Castafieda learned through a Cosate [Co-
shatti?] Indian who had been in Gonzales that reinforcements
were continuing to arrive.2 It was necessary to do something at
once. Hitherto he had been unable to cross the river at the town.
He therefore decided that unless he received other orders from
Ugartechea3 he would try to effect a crossing further up the
stream.4 That night he spent in camp on the mound at the De
Witt place, about three hundred yards from the river.5 The next
morning at twelve o'clock he moved up the stream some seven
miles and encamped in a very strong position upon Ezekiel Wil-
liams's place."
Castafieda had not been misinformed as to the arrival of volun-
teers in Gonzales. At first there were only eighteen men to de-
fend the town.7 By the 30th there were between one hundred
1 Joseph D. Clements, regidor, to Castaleda, September 30, 1835. Bexar
Archives.
2 This account of the transactions of this day is based upon a report
made late in the day by Castaleda to Ugartechea (Bexar Archives).
In reply to Castaieda's letter of the 29th, Ugartechea had ordered
him, if the interview with the alcalde had been unsuccessful, and if he were
certain that the opposing forces were superior to his, to retire at once in,
order not to compromise the national honor. Upon receiving Castaleda's
report made on the 30th, Ugartechea repeated this order (letters from
Ugartechea to Castaleda, September 30 and October 1, 1835. Bexar
Archives). Castafieda probably received the first of these communica-
tions before he withdrew from Gonzales.
4 Castafieda to Ugartechea, September 30, 1835. Bexar Archives.
5 Report of Win. Fisher, October 3, 1835, in the Telegraph and Texas
Register, April 4, 1837. Austin Papers, 50.
61bid. Miles S. Bennet, in TIHE QUARTERLY, II 315, says that while the
Mexicans were encamped at Williams's place they supplied themselves
with many sacks of watermelons.
WinWm. Fisher to Austin, October 3, 1835. Austin Papers, 50. A com-
munication from Captains Albert Martin, R. M. Coleman, and J. H.
Moore to the people of San Felipe and the Lavaca dated September 30,
1835 (Austin Papers, 30) says that until the 29th there were but eighteen
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905, periodical, 1905; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101033/m1/155/: accessed May 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.