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THE AUSTIN PAPERS
The owner of this place is suspected, and the courier would not approach him for fear of detection and exposure (Jose Antonio Garza is his name) Do let us hear from you, and receive some aid to furnish provisions for our men-Should you send, your courier will hear from us hear . In ha5te, We subscribe ourselves J ,L'AES Bown; [Rubric] J W FANNIN JR [RubricJ [Addressed:] Genl. S; F. Austin. In Camp at Salado Near Bexar Pr. Smith
BOWIE AND F Al'iNIN TO AUSTIN
Mission of Espadas, Saturday morning 7. oclk A. M 24 th octr 1835
GENL s F AUSTIN Half an hour since we were attacked by the enimy, who were repulsed, after a few fires being exchanged Only a few men were s~en-say about fifty-tho, from the dust etc. it is believed 200 or more, were in the company-Dr Archer says that Col. Ugartichea was the commandant, as he plainly saw him, and recognised him-The place is in a good condition, or can be made so in an hour, for defence, and until we know, of the advance of some aid, or what was in- tended by this feint, we will continue to occupy this station, where we have provisions enough for the army provided means are supplied to purchase Our forces are too few to hold it, and devide, so as to, do effective serv- ice-Will you communicate with us and inform us what we may rely on- We are decidedly of the opinion, that this is an important post for the army of Texas-Let us know if you have recd our two dispatches by Black and Smith, and whether you approve of our movements etc. If you do, and can spare the fifty men-or the 2d Division of the 1st. Batalion, fowd· them, and your orders etc as to the movements etc and what post, to cooperate with yours, we should take- We should have marched in half an hour lo the timber, with[in] 3/4 mile of Bexar, and shall yet do so, when we hear from you-Please advise us as to provisions etc and the means to pur- chase and supply the same-and fowd. our portion of flour etc. recd. from Goliad and elsewhere-Permit us to again suggest-nay urge, the pro- priety- the necessity of some movement, which will bring us nearer to- gether, and shut in the enemy, and either starve them out, whip them out, or dishearten and beat them in small parties, in all of .which, our two
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