222
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
of the pary was thrown from his horse-one lost his gun and all the others, one excepted, were carried some distance before they could stop t}:teir horses. They further state, that, at the crack of the enemy's guns, Lieut. Collinsworth was seen to fall from his horse and heard to utter the excla- mation-"O Lord"-Jones and Wootten say they were in f~vor of return- ing to the scene of action, but as the others were unwilling to do so, they all returned, without firing a gun, and without making an effort to relieve, or bring off their wounded companion. He was therefore left on the ground, to the mercy of the enemy. Early this morning, the five survivors returned with 8 or 10 others, to the scene of action, or rather, of attack and flight, for the purpose of recon- noitering and bringing in the dead. It would be doing much injustice to confound these volunteers, indis- criminately together. That Doctor Irwin originated, and headed the mutiny; and drew the others, either directly, or indirectly into it, proof abundant, and of the most respectable character, can be furnished from here, on the shortest notice. The conduct of this man too, on former occa- sions, has been highly improper, unmilitary, and very rash.· Oct. 31st. I o.c. P.M.-Since writing the above, the party that left yes• terday morning, have returned with the dead body of the deceased, David, M. Collinsworth-He was shot in the neck, scalped, and mangled in the face with a tomahawk or hatchet. The Deceased was buried to day, with the honors of War. From the statements of those who returned with the Body, there can be little doubt that the assailants were savages. The number quoted, varies from 6 to IO-The assailants did not even wait to divest the body of its apparel- The cap only, was missing. His gun was probably taken, as it was not found. His belt, shot-pouch, etc. etc. .and pocket money $7.37 1/:? were found on him, and returned. These facts furnish their own comment, and supersede the necessity for any remarks by me. A recruit of 20 men arived here last evening from Bay Prairie. An Iron, Six pound Cannon, with a small supply of ammunition, from Mata- gorda, has been forwarded by order of the Committee there, in compliance with my request, and is now at Guardeloupe Victoria. I have ordered a detachment of 35 men, under the Command of Adjutant Ira Westover, to proceed forthwith to Le Panteclan, the garrison on the Nueces, reduce and burn it. The arms and Ammunition if possible, will be brought off; and, if practicable, the public horses taken, and driven to this place. The citizens of this vicinity have furnished 20 horses for this campaign -and those of Guardeloupe Victoria, have made a tender of thirty head of Beeves for the public service.
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