June 4 1836 to July 21 1836 - PTR, Vol. 7

reinforcement cstimalecl variously from four Lo six thousand troops under Generals Urea, Bustamente, Montezuma, Cortasia and Arista have arrived in Matamoros and commenced crossing the Rio Grande ten days since. Genl. Filisola had arrived al a place called Rancho Viejo six miles this side Matamoros. The force under him which will return may be estimated at four thousand men and he was at the last information taking up his march for San PatTicio on the Neueces. they were actively engaged al Matamoros and in that neighborhood encreasing their Cavalyardo of horses and mules it is also stated that they are making every exertion possible in the Northern States to raise a strong force of cavalry to be introduced by way of Loredo & Bejar. The question is now one of national pride and no dependence ought to be placed on any revolutions in the interior diverting the enemy-they will use every exertion possible to first redeem their national honor, by conquering Texas before they attempt lo seltle their own quarrels in the interior. Many of the troops that they start with, will desert; many will become sick; their supplies will as a matter or course soon be exhausted; their troops from long marches, will be worn out and haunted wilh immaginary fears: Their Cavalry will also become useless in the warm climate, and if we have a slrong force and particularly of Cavalry and have our plans well laid we may annoy and cut them up in great numbers with expert horsemen. The Government of Texas should at once Lake a Survey of Lhe ground they occupy, make calculations based upon solid sense and good reasoning, take firm decisive and energetick measures and these things should be done al once, no m~'\ns should be spared to increase the Army and Navy, procure plenly of supplies and munitions and introduce system and order in supplying the Army wilh them-free and full Communications upon all the subjects touching the defence of the Country between the Government and the Army should be kept up; the importance of this you Sir, from experience well know the movements of an Army should be based upon correct information in relation to supplies and reinforcements. I do not know from a solitary Official Communication which I have received [.rom an Officer of the Government, whether there be one hundred dollars worth of supplys in the country or not. More things ought to be known and known at once.

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