The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906 Page: 250
ix, 294 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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250
Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
joined the army, was too great. On the 22nd he wrote to his
brother-in-law, James F. Perry, "I have done the best I could.
This army has always been composed of discordant materials, and
is without proper organization. The volunteer sistem will not do
for such a service. I have had a hard and difficult task to perform,
and am really so worn out that I begin to require rest." Fannin
was "fully convinced that with 250 men, well chosen and properly
drilled, so as to rely on each other" the place could be taken by
storm, "and not much loss to the party." And Travis was no
doubt reminded of his experiences at Bexar when he wrote Gov-
ernor Smith that "a mob can do wonders in a sudden burst of
patriotism or passion, but cannot be depended on as soldiers for a
campaign." Nevertheless, Austin had only sympathy for the army.
"'It deserves great credit," he wrote to the council, November 18,
"for its sufferings and perseverance. I have every confidence that
'a short time will end this campaign."'
the fortifications at Bejar, which were defended by seven or eight hundred
men, and a number of cannon, and taken the place by storm, against
superior numbers; and Texas might, and in all probability would have
been covered with mourning in the hour of victory. On consultation with
'the officers in councils of war, . .. the system was adopted of wast-
'ing away the resources, and spirits, and numbers of the enemy by a
siege, the ultimate success of which appeared to be certain, without any
-serious hazard on our part."
'Company reports, Austin Papers, K 7; General Orders, Order Book,
pp. 53, 55, 57, 62, 68, 69, Austin Papers K 64; Minutes of Councils of
War, Austin Papers, K 52, and Order Book, pp. 70-71; Austin to Perry,
November 22, 1835, Austin Papers; Fannin to Houston, November 18,
1835, archives of Texas, D, file 6, No. 557; and Travis to Smith, Decem-
ber 3, 1835, file 18, No. 1757. For additional light on conditions at
Bexar, see Johnson to Williamson, November 18, 1835 (archives of Texas,
D, file 10, No. 926): "We have had considerable desertion in our lines
since we 'arrived, which has been remedied in part by the recruits from
different parts of the country who are coming almost daily. The camp
is only kept together by the patriotism of the men and the unremitting
exertions of the officers;" Rusk to Robinson, November 25, 1835 (archives
'of Texas, D, file 15, No. 1460): "We have had difficulties which none
but those that have been engaged in them could well know;" James
Cheshire and H. MeHanks to Provisional Government, November 30, 1835,
archives of Texas, D, file 3, No. 299; Mercer to Smith, December 25, 1835
('archives -of Texas, D, file 13, No. 1264): "Our people met in a very
disorganized manner and rather pr chance succeeded in taking San An-
tonio."
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906, periodical, 1906; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101036/m1/254/: accessed March 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.