251
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
The detachment sent to the Nuecis, of which I informed your Excellency in a former communication, returned on the 10th inst. The Cannon, arms and ammunition at that post were taken-7 of the enemy were killed, and 12 or fourteen wounded. Sixty five of the enemy were engaged-and only 14 of our men were brought into the action. Savriago put off, during the action for Matamoros. Among the wounded of the enemy, are all the Members of the Ayun°· of San Patricio, the Judge, and Sheriff of that jurisdiction. One only of our men, was wounded,-William Bracken-none killed- All returned that went out. Bracken lost three fingers off his right hand. The enemy retreated, and, we are informed, in the direction of Matamoras. As to the particulars of this engagement, I am sorry to inform you, that, all I hav·e here stated, is founded on the verbal statements of the men on the ground. Altho' again and again requested to report, the officer in command, has made no report in writing. If the information of several of the men placed under his command can be relied on, Westover obeyed no part of the order under which he acted. I reserve the particulars of this affair, so dishonourable to th~ commanding officer, so gallantly con- tested, and so [successfully] terminated by the brave men under his com- mand, for the subject of a future communication. I have dispatched Maj. Collinsworth to Matagorda for a supply of Blan- kets and winter clothing for the company under my command, for Buck shot, musket flints, etc-and in the event of his failure to procure the arti- cles there, he is instructed to proceed to Columbia, Brazoria, and Velasco. To aid him in the prosecution of hi~ commission, he was furnished with communications addressed to the Committees of Safety of all those Towns. I have pressed into the service a caballardo on the way from the Interior lo the United States, consisting, of 40 to 50 animals, said to belong to one Bartolo Pajas, have had them valued, and distributed among the Volun- teers--The 'Greys" have participated in this distribution, many of whom are sti_ll unprovided with horses. Please instruct me on whom the command of the post, on the Nuecis, recently reduced, now devolves. I am informed, inofficially, that the citi- zens there, .have declared •for the Constitution of '24, and are now under arms in the cause of Texas. Should you think proper to place th:s post under my command, it will afford me pleas~re to provide for its defence. P. DIMITT Comd [Rubric] [Addressed:] No. 1 By Express To Gen. Stephen F. Austin Com. in Ch. of the Army of the People- Head Quarters.
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