The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927 Page: 61

Captain Jesus Cuellar

asking for reinforcements. A hundred men were at once detailed,
and had crossed the San Antonio River on their way to the doomed
garrison, when they were recalled on account of a report brought
in by a scout named "Comanche" of the advance of the Mexican
Army under General Urrea toward San Patricio. The main body
of the enemy had marched directly from Laredo upon San An-
tonio. Our commander, by the advice of "Comanche," deter-
mined to march to San Patricio, leaving one company in garri-
son at Goliad. The character of the scout was notoriously bad,
and Colonel Fannin was informed of the fact, but gave no heed
to the warning, although two of us volunteered to go to San
Patricio and ascertain the truth of the report. Three day's ra-
tions were distributed and everything was in readiness to com-
mence the march next morning, when an American named Ayers
arrived from the old Mission . .. in the direction of San
Patricio, and brought reliable news of the arrival of the Mexicans
at that place.
From the journal of Lewis Ayers, preserved among the Lamar
Papers, we learn that Ayers arrived at Goliad from Refugio about
8 p. m. on March 3, and was then informed that Fannin's first
proposed expedition for the relief of Bexar had failed because:13
All the force here insisted upon going with them, and none
would consent to stay except the regulars, who wished to go but
would obey orders under such circumstances. Col. Fannin called
a council of officers, and it was concluded that as the enemy was
in force at San Patricio and the army in such a peculiar state
of mind, it was best to keep them together.
And with regard to the proposed attack on Urrea, Ayers, in
his journal entry for March 12 adds:14
A council of officers was held this morning in consequence of an
express arriving from Gonzales with another call for assistance to
be rendered to the brave defenders of the Alamo. I understand
three hundred men will march there tomorrow.
I should have stated four days since that it was decided to
march with three hundred men to San Patricio, which expedition
failed for the same reason as the first for Bexar, all the volunteers
insisted on going.
Cuellar's stratagem divided Urrea's army, and drew his advance
"Lamar Papers No. 336; Printed Edition, I, 335-336. The printed
copy has several errors.
4d., 336.