The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 36, July 1932 - April, 1933 Page: 280
328 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
leaving Travis in command. The following letter from Travis
explains conditions:
Commandancy of Bexar
February 12th 1836
To His Excelly- H. Smith, Governor of Texas,
Sir: You have no doubt already received information by ex-
press from La Bahia that tremendous Preparations are making
on the Rio Grande and else where in the Interior for Invasion
of Texas. Santa Anna by the last account was at Saltillo with
a force of 2500 men and General Sesma was at the Rio Grande
with about 2000. He had issued his Proclamation denouncing
vengeance, against the people of Texas and threatens to exter-
minate every white man within its limits. This being the Fron-
tier Post nearest the Rio Grande will be the first to be attacked.
We are illy prepared for their reception as we have not more
than 150 men here and they in a very disorganized state. Yet
we are determined to sustain it as long as there is a man left,
because we consider death preferable to disgrace, which would be
the result of giving up a Post which has been so dearly won, and
thus opening the door for the Invaders to enter the sacred Ter-
ritory of the colonies. We hope our countrymen will open their
eyes to the present danger and wake from their false security.
I hope that all party dissentions will subside, that our fellow
Citizens will unite with the Common Cause and fly to the de-
fense of the Frontiers.
I fear it is useless to waste argument upon them. The Thunder
of the Enemy Cannon and the Pollution of their wives and
daughters-The Cries of their famished Children and thel smoke
of their burning dwellings will only arouse them. I regret that
the Govt. has so neglected a draft of the militia which is the
only measure that will ever again bring the Citizens of Texas
to the Frontiers.
Money, clothing, and Provisions are greatly needed at this Post
for the use of the Soldiers.
I hope your Excelly. will send us a portion of the money which
has been received from the United States as it cannot be better
applied, indeed we cannot get along any longer without money
and with it we can do everything.
For God's sake, and the sake of our country send us reinforce-
ments. I hope you will send to this Post at least two companies
of Regular Troops- Capt. Allen's Co-under Lt. Thornton now
at Goliad and the company of Regulars at Copano under com-
mand of Lt. Turner, might well be ordered to this Post as they
could reach here in 4 days on foot.
In consequence of sickness of his family Lt. Col. Neill has left
this Post, to visit home for a short time and has requested me280
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 36, July 1932 - April, 1933, periodical, 1933; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101093/m1/306/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.