The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 41, July 1937 - April, 1938 Page: 329

                                
Analysis of Work of General Council, 1835-1886

a member of the volunteer army.24 No provision was made for
those volunteers who managed to live through the struggle, but
generous grants of land were offered to persons enlisting in the
regular army. The purpose of this discrimination may have been
to encourage enlistment in the regular army, and at the same
time bring to an end the somewhat independent force of volunteers.
At any rate, no grants were made for the volunteers. An act
passed by the Congress of the Republic of Texas in December,
1837, granted to all who had served in the army land on the basis
of time served. By this act, which included members of the vol-
unteer army, a person who had served three months was entitled
to 320 acres of land, one having served six months was entitled
to 640 acres, while larger grants were made for longer periods
of service.25
Some of the volunteers remained at B6xar to meet their death
in the Alamo. These volunteers, under the command of Colonel
J. C. Neill, were given occasional attention by the advisory com-
mittee which represented the General Council after January 17,
1836. Governor Robinson issued a proclamation January 19, in
answer to a request from Neill, calling for volunteers to proceed
to the frontier.26 This call must have met with some success, for
the advisory committee informed the governor, January 31, that
a sufficient number of troops were at B6xar, and that newcomers
should proceed to Goliad or Copano. At the same time, they
informed the governor that Houston had ordered B6xar aban-
doned, and all fortifications destroyed. Robinson was instructed
to countermand this order, and assure Neill that every effort
would be made to strengthen the garrison and supply it with pro-
visions.27 This order was obeyed by Robinson and Neill. Less
24Ibid., I, 654, 982.
25lbid., I, 1368.
26Smither, Lamar Papers, VI, 300.
27Advisory Committee to the Governor, January 31, 1836. In Consul-
tation Papers, Vol. I, Texas State Library.
This is a long communication and only the advice concerning Bexar will
be quoted:
". . The Advisory Committee have understood with much surprise that
the Commanding General Houston has lately issued an order to the Com-
mandant of Bejar advising or directing the destruction of all the works
of defence and an abandonment of that Post. Your committee therefore
advise that an express be sent immediately to Bejar, with orders from the

329