distinctly recollect that it was on the afternoon of the 26th of April, that we heard at Galveston of the signal and illustTious victory of the 21st. One steam boat was then on its way to you with supplies, but she was crippled by some accident to her boiler and compelled to anchor at Red fish bar-so soon as it was practicable, another was sent and did convey some necessaries including sugar and coffee, to the camp on Buffalo bayou. At this time there were very many souls on the island and among them, many families of women and children, who required sustenance, and many of whom were affected with disease. But gentlemen, there was little "rioting" there, for there was little else to subsist on, than the common necessaries of life-That some abuses may have occurred in the distribution of the public stores, I will not deny; but I do assert, that the members of the government so far as my knowledge extended, did endeavor to prevent all prodigality_in the use of those stores. Shortly after the army moved from Buffalo bayou, the govern- ment was transferred to this place. On the first opportunity that presented itself, arrangements were made with the owners of the steam boat Laura to take in a cargo at the Island, and carry it up this river, to meet the army at Fort Bend. The boat departed, and we expected her return in two or three days. At this time, for the anxiety we felt for our gallant army has deeply impressed every little incident upon my memory, the wind blew high for several days and to this untoward circumstance we attributed the dealy of the boat. After some clays had elapsed, during which hourly expectations of her arrival were disappointed, a messenger came from the island and reported that owing to a leak in her boiler, she had not yet reached the eastern end and probably would not be able to return in some time-We immediately prepared the sloop Express, and despatched her forthwith with such cargo as she could carry. I presume that small supply has reached you from Cox's point before this time. We then hired the schooner Columbus and the commissary general is now on board of her and preparing to depart for Copano. And now gentlemen, I ask you in a spirit of kindness and without "irritation" to review these facts; and I am persuaded inasmuch as I believe the brave are usually generous, that you will feel you have done injustice in charging your being disappointed at the Brazos "entirely to the shameful inattention of the officers of the government"-Conscious as I am, that the charge itself is unjust, I shall forbear to descant on the decorum of the terms in which it is conveyed.
504
Powered by FlippingBook