THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1339 crossing of the Trinity, the express received information from the settlers there, either 1\mericans, or Spaniards, that they had seen the day previous, five Quichais and Ainai Indian, who- secretely to]d the Spaniards thfl.t 200 warriors of the small tribes would shortly at- tack the Americans on the Brazos and Colorado, but that the settlers East of the Trinity were friends and brothers The militia of the Colony detailed for the contemplated campaign were all ready, a part of them being encamped here; others on the Uolorado, at the fort they have erected between the roads to La Bahia and Atnscosito; and the balance .on the Brazos near the· road to Bexar; mustering in the aggregate, 100 men. The spies referred to in my communication of the 8, th Instant have seen no signs of the Indians supposed to have left their -villages for these settlements; and, as I have already stated to you, I considered myself prevented, by your order of the 4 th Instant, from carrying on the campaign. However,.-'on the return -of the express with the above mentioned information, I felt convinced of the absolute neces- sity to order out a party -to watch pver ·.the frontier, inasmuch as the militia were very .impatient to meet the enemy. Therefore. under the impulse of protective considerations, I ordered the senior Captain of the battalion who was to take command in my absence, agreeably to the seventh article of the J\lilitia Regulations, to proceed with the men to the frontier, above the road to Bexar, on the Brazos, leaving a detachment in the fort on the Colorado, to protect this section. I ga.ve general inst~nctions to this officer (Captain A.. C. Bt1ckner) to keep a good lookout •all along the frontier, and particularly for the 200 warriors, who, I have reason to believe are coming from the Trinity to join the Tahuac~noes; and to attack any hostile parties of ·Indians :wherever om;_protection rendered it necessary, and circum- stances permitted. I hope you will not consider this step 11.t variance with your orders of the_4 th Instant for the .suspension of the hostile movements .against the -Indians. Circumstances rendering it ab- solutely necessary for our defence The Captain Commanding the Militia_may, possibly, be compelled to attack the Indian _Villages, as there is some probability, if the Indians are aware of the movements of the.Militia, tlu1:t they will leave their viJlages should the attack be _postponed to the _month of July. For it is impossible to assemble ·men, as scattered as our militia are, without a few days notice; con- sequently, secrecy cannot be preserved in such pases, every one having to settle his business. and .make prepn.rations previous to a march. Any traveller can perceive these movements among the militia, and there is not a day but some are passing on their way to -Nacoo-doches. Should any of them mention it there, the news "~ould soon r:nch the
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