History of Texas from its first settlement in 1685 to its annexation to the United States in 1846 ... With an extended appendix

Appendix

REDFIELD 'N STREET, NEW YORK 5 W«J Entered, according t o 7eRl' 1855, By J S. RfiT?FflTi:b, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Southern District of New York. STEREOTYPED BY C. C. SAVAGE, 13 Chamb*?ra Street, N. Y. DEDICATION. To Peter W. Gray, Esq. Dear Sir : I have now completed the second ** jlume of a History of Texas, which, with the first, gives some account of the principal events connected with the settlement and occupation of the country by the European race, from the first landing of immigrants, on the 18th day of February, 1685, to the annexation of Texas to the United States, on the 4th of July, 1845. In the compilation of this volume, the materials were so abundant, that the great difficulty was, to select the most prominent and connected facts, so as not to make the volume too ponderous, nor to break the unity of the story.

In all this you will doubtless find errors, but — I have done the best I could, and hope you may find it sufficiently interesting to pe ruse it. Texas has a noble and romantic history. It is to be found in her state papers, and in the letters, journals, and memo randa, of those who took part in her affairs. Having devoted much time to the study of these valuable documents, I speak DEDICATION. advisedly on this subject. When our public authorities shall think proper to have them collected, arranged, and published, as other states have done, they will form a work of which Texas may well be proud. With many ihanks to kind friends for valuable historical papers, and more especially to yourself for many facts and suggestions, I am very truly your friend, H. Yoakum. SHEPnEKD'g Valley, Texas, February 26, 1856. CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.

CHAPTER L

Reassembling of the Consultation at San Felipe — Declaration of Adherence to the Mexican Constitution of 1824 — Provisional Government established — Election of Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Commander-in-Chief — Commissioners to the United States — Adjournment — Council left to aid the Governor — Regular Army created — Movements of the Army at Concepcion — Description of San Antonio — The Siege — Efforts of the Enemy — The " Grass- Fight" — Fight of the 8th of November — Fight at Lipantitlan, November 3d — Effect of these Battles in the United States — in Mexico — Austin's Departure from the Army — Dr. James Grant — Proposed Attack on Matamoras — New Orleans Grays — Preparations for storming San Antonio on the 4th of December — Descent under Milam, on the 5th, at Daybreak — The Contest — Death of Milam — Zambrano Row — Priest's House — Enemy propose to capitulate on the 9th — Capitulation on the 10th — Occurrences of the Assault — Aid to Texas — Governor Smith and his Council — Unfortunate Descent on Tampico — Mexican Navy — The " William Robbins" fage 11

Chapter II

Aspiring Men in Texas — Seditious Effort of the 19th of December — Houston aiding in organizing the Army — Rusk and Fannin — General Mexia — First Rupture between the Governor and Council — Barrett and Gritton — Movement upon Matamoras — Declaration of Independence at Goliad — Location of Staff- Officers — Houston's Headquarters removed to Washington, December 25th — Order to Fannin — Matamoras — Fannin, Johnson, and Grant, set out — Troops at Bexar — Their Destitute Condition — Quarrel between the Governor and Council — Governor deposes the Council — The Council depose the Governor — Houston's Departure for the West, January 8th — The Question of Independence discussed — Affairs at Refugio — Order to demolish the Alamo — Not obeyed — Description of Western Prairie — Texau Loan — Houston's Return to CONTENTS. the Brasos — Indian Treaty — Mexico in January, 1836 — Santa Anna sets out for Texas in Person — His Plan — Condition of Texas to meet him — Struggle between the Governor and Council — First Texan Laws page 40

Chapter III

David Crockett — Viesca — Meeting of the Convention, March 1st — Independence declared, March 2d — Houston re-elected Commander-in-Chief — Preparations for the War — Constitution of the Republic adopted — Burnet President ad interim — Zavala Vice-President — Cabinet — Houston sets out for the West, March 6th — The Alamo invested by the Enemy, February 23d — The Siege — Travis calls for Aid — Thirty-two Recruits from Gonzales — The Place stormed on the 6th of March, and the Garrison butchered — Johnson defeated at San Patricio — Grant at Agua Dulce — Tragic Death of Grant — Fanniu's Position — Advance of Urrea from San Patricio — King sent out after some Families at Refugio — Order to Fannin to fall back — Sends Ward after King — King and Ward both cut off — King and his Force taken and killed — Fannin sets out on his Retreat — Overtaken by Urrea — Battle of the Coleta — Surrender of Fannin — Ward taken — Miller taken at Copano — Massacre of the Commands of Fannin and Ward, March 27, 1836 page 70

Chapter IV

Santa Anna thinks the War ended — Proposes to return to Mexico — Filisola objects — Movements ordered — The Texan Forces at Gonzales — On Receipt of the News of the Fall of the Alamo, retreat — Arrive at the Colorado, March 17th — General Alarm and Flight in Texas — Army at Beason's — Send for Munitions — Seat of Government removed from Washington to Harrisburg— Captain Karnes's Skirmish — Attempt to draw out the Enemy — Receipt of the News of Fannin's Defeat — Retreat from the Colorado, March 26th — Forbes arrives with a Reinforcement — Efforts to defend the Brasos — Movements of the Enemy — Flight of the People — Distress — Santa Anna repulsed at San Felipe — Crosses at Fort Bend — Houston crosses at Groce's, and calls in Outposts — Santa Anna marches on Harrisburg, April 15th — The "Twin-Sisters" — Texan Navy — Eastern Texas — Alarm there page 102

Chapter V

Houston marches on Harrisburg — Dispositions of Indians and Disaffected Whites — Deaf Smith takes the Mexican Mail — Important Information — Address to the Texans, April 19th — Crossing of Buffalo Bayou — Narrow Escape of President Burnet — Texan Camp on the San Jacinto — Affair of the 20th — Enemy reinforced by Cos on the Morning of the 21st — Texan Council of War Deaf Smith sent to cut down Vince's Bridge — Preparations for Battle — The Attack — Defeat and Capture of the Enemy, including Santa Anna — Interview between Houston and Santa Anna — Santa Anna's Order to Filisola Consequences of the Victory — Negotiations with Santa Anna — Treaty of Velasco The United States and Mexico page CONTENTS. 7 CHAPTER VT. Retreat of Filieola — Followed by the Texans under Rusk — General Gaines — Eastern Frontier — Indian Movements — Massacre at Fort Parker — Attempt to send off Santa Anna under the Treaty — Resisted by the Texan Troops — President Burnet — Santa Anna's Protest — Collingsworth and Grayson despatch o4-1 to the United States — Feeling ;« *i-- TT~" *~ ,.„ v.i„« „f a..i. a„„„ - 0 ... .no uimeu Mates — \ ulue 01 Santa Anna us a Prisoner — Feeling in Mexico — Feat of the "Horse-Marines" in Texas — Return of General Austin — Appointment of Mirabeau B. Lamar to the Commandin-Chief of the Army — Resisted by the Troops — He retires page 161

Chapter VII

Low Credit of Texas — Houston's Movements — United States Congress favorable to acknowledging Texan Independence — Morfit sent out to Texas — Texan Army and Navy — Santa Anna removed to Columbia — Attempt to escape — Candidates for President of Texas — Houston elected President and Lamar Vice-President — Effort to remove and try Santa Anna by Court-Martial — Opposed by Burnet and Houston — View of Jackson and Gaines on that Subject — Population of Texas — Houston's Inauguration — Proceedings of First Texan Congress — United States and Mexico on Bad Terms — Death of Austin and Zavala — Santa Anna sent home by way of Washington City — Arrived at Washington, January 17, 1837 — Cold Receplion in Mexico — General Hamilton offered the Command of the Texan Army — Declines — The Enemy threatens a Second Invasion — The Messrs. Toby and Brothers — Texan Independence acknowledged by the United States — Declined Annexation — Volunteers from the United States — Deaf Smith at Laredo — Skirmish — Mexicans in Texas — Seguin and Rodrigues — Funeral Honors to the Dead of the Alamo — Mexican Blockade of Texas — Capture of the " Independence" — William H. Wharton — Texan Navy cruise to Yucatan — Depredations of the Indians — Second Session of Congress at Houston, May, 1837 — Emeute in Mexico — Texan Army furloughed — the Whartons — Sea-Fight before Galveston Bar, August 25, 1837 — Eastern Boundary of Texas page 189

CHAPTER VIIL

Religious Movement in Texas — Faith of the Immigrants — Toleration — The First Protestant Missionaries — Henry Stephenson, 1818 — Joseph Bays, 1826 — Sumner Bacon, 1828— Thomas Hanks, 1829— Milton Estill, 1833— Presbyterians and Episcopalians in 1838 — Ecclesiastical Committee of Vigilance, 1837 — Charles Compte' de Farnese — His Projet — Indian Troubles — Benthuysen's Fight, November 10, 1837— Land-Titles— Closing of the Land-Office— History of Land-Titles — Titles to the Mission-Lands — Spanish, Colonial, and Texan Titles— Immigration in 1838— Trade increased— Quarrel between France and Mexico — Contract with Dawson, of Baltimore, to build Vessels for a Navy — Promissory-Notes — Going down — Second Presidential Election — Lamar choeer. l'resident, and Burnet Vice-President — The Mexican Revolt at Nacog- CONTENTS. doohes— Cordova and others— Battle at Jose Maria Village, October 28, 1838 — At Kickapoo Town, November 16th — Third Congress — Texan Finances — Death of Collingsworth — John A Wharton page 219

Chapter IX

Inauguration „. tion to the United States— Capture of Vera Cruz" by the French Squadron under Admiral Baudin — Lamar's Message to Congress— Favors the Establishment of a National Bank— Further Fighting in Mexico— Santa Anna loses his Leg in expelling the French from Vera Cruz — France makes Peace with Mexico, March 9, 1839 — Federal Party in Mexico — Friendly to Texas — Battle of Acajete — Cordova's Treachery — Mexican Plan of stirring up the Indian Tribes against the People of Texas — Capture of Flores — Moore's Campaign against the Indians — Battle with the Camanches, February 15, 1839 — Burleson's Fight, February 2Sth — Bird's Fight, May 27th — History of the Cherokees — Campaign against them — Battle of July 15th — Of the 16th — Bowles, their principal Chief, killed — Destruction of Indian Farms — Relations of Texas with European Powers — Appointment of Commissioners to select a Site for the Seat of Government — Its Location at Austin — Federal Campaign of 1839 — Battle of Alcantro, and Defeat of the Centralists, October 3, 1839 — Surrender of General Parbon — Canales, the Federalist Chieftain, before Matamoras — Before Monterey — Desultory Fighting — Treachery of Canales, and Retreat of the Texan Auxiliai-jes — Meeting of the Fourth Texan Congress — Stern Indian Policy of Lamar — Texan Finances — General Hamilton's Mission to England and France — Fraudulent Land-Certifieates page 262

Chapter X

Immigration from the United States increases — The Public Credit gets worse — Common Law adopted — Civil War in Mexico — Federal Campaign of 1840 — "Republic of the Rio Grande" proclaimed by General Canales — Federalists defeated at Morales, March 15, 1S40 — Canales at Austin, seeking Recruits — Colonels Jordan and Fisher, commanding the Texan Federalist Auxiliaries — Interesting March of the Texans — Their Vicissitudes — Treachery of Colonels Lopez and Molano — Battle of Saltillo, and Victory over the Centralists commanded by General Vasquez, October 23, 1840 — Safe Retreat of the Texans to their own Country — Massacre of Camanches in the Council-Room at San Antonio, March 19, 1840 — Descent of the Camanches on a Marauding Expe » dition against Victoria and Linnville — Assembling of Volunteers and Pursuit » of the retreating Savages — Battle of Plum Creek, August 12, 1840 — Moore's » Campaign against the Indians — Defeat of the Camanches on the Upper Colo • rado, October 24, 1840 — The National Loan not taken — Attempt to run the Eastern Boundary of the Republic — The Texan Navy — Newspapers The Fifth or " Reform Congress" — Treaties negotiated with Great Britain, Holland aud Belgium — Monroe Edwards — His Schemes — Commerce of Texas Roads — Santa Fe PAGE CONTENTS.

Chapter XI

Gloomy Prospects— Hamilton's Negotiations for the Loan— Affair of M De Saligny— Bullock's Pigs— Efforts of Texas for Peace— Treaty with Yucatan- Freebooters on the Rio Grande— Deportation of Captain Dimit— His Tragical Death— Jack Hays's Fig^it, April 7, 1841— Santa Fe* Expedition— Journey through the Prairies— Treachery of Captain Lewis— Surrender of the Texans eiceteu xresiatiii,— Jiunesou eiiosen vice-rresiaenf-^tte-m t' "'•■"on re- Treaty with the United States— Endeavor to open Interc "*** ' *■"«' The Treasury bankrupt— Exchequer Bills— Mr. Go,?e>s st0"™86 Wlt*' SPain— » Second Term— Indian Policy— Finances— Exchequei b;u —Proposed Belgian Loan— Destruction of the Paper Sj,^ 'eform Congress release the Santa Fe Prisoners— New Extension Projet of6™"lf teps takeD to —Annexation Question— Tyler's Position " an Congress pace 314

Chapter XII

lovements of the "Reform Congress" of 1842 — A Detachment of th under Vasquez, enters San Antonio, March 5, 1842 — Their Conduct^.Dem^' \treat — Texan Troops at San Antonio — Generals Somervell and Bur)eiPe" Volunteers from the United States — Removal of the National Archives frc Vustin — General Davis in command of the Troops on the Nueces Santa Anna tid General Hamilton — Special Session of Congress, Ji>ie 27, 1842 Wartil — Its Veto by Houston — Affair at Lipantitlan, July 7, 18 2 General Woll eltersSan Antonio, September 11, 1842 — Texans under Captai. Cold well Battlof the Salado, and Defeat of Woll by Hays, September 17, g^o Massacre ofthe Force under Dawson — Treachery of Colonel Seguin — Rfreat of Gener^ Woll— Troops under Somervell — March to the Rio Graude-piun(jer 0f Lakdo — Return of Troops under Colonel Bennett — Order to re,r„ l10me Coftnand disobeyed by a Portion of the Texans — Captain Willis, g. Fisher elecfcd to the Command — Entry into Mier— Battle of the 25th y 26th of Dec^iber, 1842 — Capture of Fisher's Command — Revolt of the l^. Pnson. ers aithe Hacienda Salado — Retaken and marched to Mexico — ""cimation of thiPrisoners by Order of Santa Anna — Captain Cameron AGE gjg

Chapter XIII

Meeting othe Seventh Texan Congress at Washington, on the Biasos, Number 14, 184i-Texai] Navy — Captain Moore — Secret Act to sell the Navyp,.es;_ dent Hqston's Proclamation — Return of the Navy — Doings of tlcon. gress in 1843 — "Lawyer Robinson" aud Santa Anna — Answ. to Santa Ann — Mediation of Great Britain, France, and the United Statists Failure — Ivisions in Texas — Discussions concerning the Mier Expedil Sufferings ( the Prisoners — Snively's Expedition — Its Departure, Apri^ 1843, for tli Santa Fe Road— Arrival there— Battle of June 20, 1843, j, the Mexicani-Texans disarmed by Captain Cooke, of the United States \ — Further Aftmpt to pursue the Caravan of Mexican Traders — The Exr) tion returns lime — Captain Hays on the Rio Grande — Jackson's Opinion CONTENTS the Santa Fe Expedition— Suspension of Diplomatic Intercourse between Great Britain and Mexico— Armistice between Texas and Mexico— Question of Annexation — Prosperity of Texas PAGE 379

Chapter XIV

Further of the Armistice— Diplomacy of Great Britain— Jealousy of the United States — Revival of the Qutstion of Annexation — France and Great Britain protest — Popularity of the Measure — Nomination of Polk — Tyler's Treaty rejected by the Senate — Jackson's View of it — Its Effect in Texas — Her Prosperous Condition — Colony Contracts — Presidential Election in Texas — War of the " Regulators" and " Moderators" — Election of Polk — Passage of the Annexation Resolutions — Jackson's Advice to Texas — Last Effort of Mexico. and of the British and French Governments — Annexation approved by Texa< — Conclusion page 41'

APPENDIX.

1. Official Correspondence of the Commander-in-Chief of the Texan Army in 1835-36 page 145 2. Documents relating to the Commander-in-Chief 507 3. Names, Age, Place of Birth, and Former Residence, of the Signers of the Texan Declaration of Independence, March 2, 1836 512 4. Documents in Relation to the Massacre of Colonel Fannin and his Coir mand, on Sunday Morning, March 27, 1836, at Goliad 514 5. Treaty of Velasco, May 14, 1836 526 6. Letter from General Santa Anna to General Sam Houston, November 5, 1S86 530 7. Sketch of the Rise and Progress of the Different Religious Protesbnt Denominations of Christians in Texas 632 8. Letter from President Houston to President Santa Anna, March 21, 1842 544 9. List of the Governors of Texas HISTOEY OF TEXAS.

Chapter I

The consultation reassembled at San Felipe de Austin, on the first of November, 1835 ; but, for want of a quorum, they did not organize until the third day of the month. There were present fifty-five members, representing the thirteen municipali ties of Texas.* Their session continued till the 14th of that * Municipality of Bevil : John Bevil, S. H. Everitt, Wyatt Hanks. Han Augustine : William N. Sigler, A. Huston, A. E. C. Johnson, Henry Augustin, A Horton, A. G. Kellogg. Nacogdoches : Sam Houston, James W. Robinson, Daniel Parker, William Whitaker. Columbia : John A. Wharton, J. S. D. Byrom, Edwin Waller, Henry Smith. Austin: Wylie Martin, Randal Jones, ThomasBarnett, Jesse Burnham, William Menefee. Liberty: Henry Millard, Claiborne West, George M. Patrick, J. B. Woods, A. B. Hardin. Harrisburg : Lorenzo D. Zavala, M. W. Smith, William P. Harris, John W. Moore, C. C. Dyer, David B. Macomb.

Matagorda : R. R. Royal, Charles Wilson. Mina : D. C. Barrett, R. M. Williamson, J. S. Lester. Washington : Asa Mitchell, Elijah Collard, Jesse Grimes, Philip Coe, Asa Hoxey. Gonzales : W. S. Fisher, J. D. Clements, George W. Davis, James Hodges, William W. Arrington, Benjamin Fuqua. Viesca : S. T. Allen, A. G. Perry, J. G. W. Pierson, Alexander Thompson, J. W. Parker. Tenehaie : Martin Parmer. — Journal of Consultation. month, during which period they were industriously engaged in organizing a provisional government, and providing means for its support. Branch T. Archer,* the president of the assembly, opened its business in an appropriate address. The general council, which had, up to that time, exercised the authority of government, surrendered it to the consultation. A committee of twelve, of which John A. Wharton was chairman, was ap pointed to prepare a declaration of the causes which impelled the Texans to take up arms.

A like committee, of which Henry Millard was chairman, was appointed " to draw up and submit a plan or system of a provisional government." On the 7th, the consultation, after much discussion, adopted the declaration.! It was not one of independence, but of ad herence to the constitution of 1824. It is likely that the entire body saw that the end would be independence ; but they deemed it prudent to move slowly, and first unite all parties in the rev olution. The great object of the leading men was, that their actions should be approved by the world. They feared that a precipitate declaration of independence would not meet that approval. Texas needed sympathy and aid. By a defensive course, she would obtain it. Such was the policy of her lead ers, and time has shown its wisdom. They expected also to induce some of the other Mexican states to follow their exarn pie in declaring their adherence to the federal constitution, but in this they were not successful.

There was, in some parts of Mexico, a feeble response in favor of liberty, but the bayonets of Santa Anna reduced it to silence. It may also be observed * Dr. Archer emigrated to Texas in 1831. For a sketch of his history, see Foote's History of Texas, vol. ii., p. 12. f Journal, p. 51. The committee first reported in favor of a declaration of independence. It was adopted, and then reconsidered. " How the convention will decide is uncertain, but the probability is in favor of the constitution as a matter of policy only, as all agree we must go, sooner or later, for indepen dence." — /. W. Robinson to Frost Thorn, November 3, 1835. PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED. that, in November, 1835, public opinion in Texas was hardly prepared for a change so sudden. The ordinance " establishing a provisional government" was completed on the 13th day of November, 1835.* It is the earliest specimen of Anglo-Saxon law ever enforced in Texas.

Its provisions were few, and such as the emergency required. It created a governor, lieutenant-governor, a council, to be elected from the consultation (one from each municipality), a provisional judiciary, a commander-in-chief, &c. The consultation adjourned, to meet at Washington, on the 1st day of March, 1836 ; providing, however, that the governor and council should continue to exist as a provisional government until its reassembling. The commander-in-chief was declared to be such " of all the forces called into public service during the war ;" and he was " to be subject to the governor and council." These provisions are more especially referred to here, because of the discord and misfortunes result ing therefrom. Two days before the adjournment of the consultation, they elected Henry Smith governors and James W. Robinson lieutenant-governor of Texas.

Smith was chosen by a majority of nine votes over Stephen F. Austin. It was at first intended that Austin should be governor ;J but his services being more needed as a commissioner to the United States, he was spared the misfortune of being the first governor of Texas. Robinson had no opposition. Sam Houston was elected commander-in chief, with but one dissenting voice. Messrs. Branch T. Ar- * Journal, p. 42. f Henry Smith was a native of Kentucky. He emigrated to Missouri, and thence to Texas. He was of moderate height, quite fleshy, of fine social quali ties, racy and interesting in conversation, not easily irritated, but extremely obstinate in maintaining his opinions. J J. W. Robinson to Frost Thorn, November 3, 1836: MS. cher, William H. Wharton, and Stephen F. Austin, were duly chosen commissioners to the United States.

Messrs. A. Hus ton, Daniel Parker, Jesse Grimes, A. G. Perry, D. C. Barrett, Henry Millard, Martin Parmer, J. D. Clements, R. R. Royal, W. P. Harris, E. Waller, and W. Hanks, were the council elected out of the consultation, to remain and co-operate with Governor Smith in carrying out the organic law.* In addition to other important matters, it was provided that " there should be a regular army created for the protection of Texas during the present war." To give aid and assistance in organizing this army, in adopting rules for its government, and in providing the personnel and materiel, General Houston remained in attendance on the governor and council until the 16th of December, when he was ordered to remove his head quarters to Washington. To return to the Texan army at Concepcion. The entire Texan force at this point was at least a thousand men.

After remaining at Concepcion until the 2d of November, the army marched, by way of the powder-house, on the slope of a gentle ridge, east of the San Antonio river, near to its head, and camped on the east bank. Here they remained for four or five days, keeping up a constant patrol around the town. From intelligence received, it was supposed that General Cos would surrender upon demand. Although the information was not very reliable, yet, as he had been greatly straitened by the siege, and his supplies were cut off, it was deemed of sufficient importance to make the attempt. Accordingly, the Texan army was marched to the west side and down the San Antonio river, and the entire force displayed on an eminence, some * The members of the council were constantly changing. On the first day of the meeting, we find the municipalities of Jefferson and Victoria, for the first time, represented.

CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. 15 fifteen hundred yards from the public square. The demand for a surrender was then made, and promptly refused. The Texans thereupon took position at the " Old Mill," a half-mile or more north of the public square, on the west bank of the San Antonio river. The city of San Antonio is situated on the San Antonio river and San Pedro creek. These streams at the city are about six hundred and fifty yards apart ; but, on the east side of the place, there is a remarkable bend in the river, enclosing about twenty-five acres, into which the town also extends. Opposite this bend, on the east bank of the river, is the ancient mission of the Alamo. The country around San Antonio is generally a level prairie, more undulating, however, on the west than on the east side of the river.

There is an eminence west of the town, toward the Alazan ; and another above the old mill, but not sufficiently near or elevated to command the town, except with twelve or eighteen pounders. The river, about sixty feet wide, is in most places fordable. It seldom rises or falls, but sends forth a constant stream of the purest water. The low ness of its banks and the levelness of the grounds offer great facilities for irrigation ; hence the ditches, running down on both sides of the river, and between the two streams, not only answer the purpose of fertilizing the land, but also for defence. As no advantage could be gained by either party in location, the chief benefit must result to the besieged from the buildings and ditches. The houses, of thick stone walls, were very strong. The public square of San Antonio is divided by the church and some other buildings into two ; or, rather, the original square, or military plaza, was first laid off and improved in 1716, having on its east side the church, and the offices of priests and officers.

In 1731, was laid off the main square, or Plaza of the Constitution. Along the north side of these squares, runs through the centre of the city the main street, which is pro longed east of the river to the Garita, or Look-out, used also as a powder-house, about one and a quarter miles from the town. At the crossing of the river by this street was a bridge, the only one then on the river. While the Texan army was hanging about the town, Cos was not idle. Ugartachea was despatched to Matamoras for reinforcements ; breastworks were thrown up at the entrance of every street into the square ; and, on an open lot, on the north side of the military plaza, was erected a redoubt. The venerable church was also brought into the service, and artillery mounted behind the parapet on its roof. The Mexican force in the place was at this time about eight hundred men, with sufficient artillery to defend the different points fortified.

The Texans had but five pieces, of small calibre. Previous to the departure of the Texan army from Concepcion, a council of war had been called by Austin, to consider the propriety of an immediate assault upon the town. It was concluded that it could be made, and the place taken, but at a greater sacri fice of men than the Texans could afford to bear ; hence a regular siege was ordered. " I am afraid," says Austin, writing to Captain Dimit, on the 2d of November, " that our suture operations will be tedi ous and prolonged, owing to the strength of the fortifications at this place, of which we have certain information. Whether the army can be kept together long enough to await the arrival of reinforcements, and the necessary supply of heavy battering cannon and ammunition, I am sorry to say, is somewhat uncer tain."

Various attempts were made to entice the enemy beyond his walls. On one occasion, a detachment of one hundred and ninety Texans marched up within the range of the Mexican SIEGE OF SAN ANTONIO. 17 six-pounders ; on another, Colonel Thomas J. Rusk, at the head of forty cavalry, took a position within three hundred yards of their walls, and remained there twenty minutes : still they could not be drawn from their works.* It was the opinion of Austin, on the 14th of November, that the enemy could not long hold out.f To lessen their consumption of provisions, the Mexicans sent off three hundred of their horses to Laredo ; but they were overtaken and captured, about forty miles from San Antonio, by a detachment under Travis. "j: The poor condition of these horses indicated the wants of the be sieged.

But Cos, awaiting his reinforcements, still held out. Occasional conflicts between the outposts and scouts of the two armies constituted the only subjects of interest in camp for sev eral days. Volunteers, always impatient while inactive, had manifested this feeling in the camp before Bexar. They found amusement and interest in catching the exhausted cannon-balls of the enemy, and throwing them back ; they also derived some pleasure from scouting-excursions of two or three days' continuance. But, in spite of all this, the besieging force was con tinually decreasing ; so that, by the 14th of November, they did not number six hundred men. One of these scouting-parties, that had been down on the Medina, returned about ten o'clock on the morning of the 26th of November, leaving " Deaf Smith" behind.