The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 36, July 1932 - April, 1933 Page: 282
328 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
March I think Texas will be invaded and every preparation should
be made to receive them.
P. S. This is a private letter and is directed to Nibbs for
fear it may fall into bad hands.69
By the same express John J. Baugh made further explanation
of the situation at Bexar. He wrote:
Garrison of Bejar, Feby 13, 1836
Sir: Lt. Col. J. C. Neill being suddenly called home, in con-
sequence of the illness of some of his family, requested Col.
Travis, as the senior officer to assume the command of the Post
during his absence. Col Travis informed the volunteers in the
garrison they could, if they were not satisfied with him as a com-
mander Pro Tem, elect one out of their own body. The volun-
teers being under the wrong impression, and ever ready to catch
at any popular excitement, objected to Col. Travis upon the
grounds of his being a Regular officer, and immediately named
Col. Bowie as their choice.
An election was consequently ordered by Col Travis and Bowie
was elected without opposition. None but volunteers voted and
in fact, not all of them. The consequence was a split in the
Garrison. Col. Travis as a matter of course, could not submit
to the control of Bowie, and he (Bowie) availing himself of his
great popularity among the volunteers seemed anxious to arro-
gate to. himself the entire control.
Things passed on in this way yesterday and today until at
length they have become intollerable. Bowie as commander of
the volunteers, has gone so far as to stop carts laden with goods
of private families removing into the country. He has ordered
the Prison doors to be opened for the release of a Mexican con-
victed of theft who had been tried by a jury of 12 men among
which was Col. Travis and Col. Bowie himself.
He has also ordered and effected the release of D. H. Barre, a
private in the Regular Army attached to the Legion of Cavalry,
who had been tried by a Court Martial and found guilty of de-
sertion and actually deliberated him from Prison with a Cor-
poral's Guard with loud huzzas: But the most extraordinary
step of all and that which sets aside all law, Civil and Military
is that which follows Commandancy of Bejar
Capt of Corps-- Feb. 13th 1836
You are hereby required to release such Prisoners as may be
under your direction for labor or otherwise
James Bowie
Commander of Volunteer forces of Bejar.
'Travis to Smith, February 13, 1836, Army Papers, Texas State
Library.282
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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/m1/308/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.