[14021 [SANTA ANNA lo SESl\IA]
Army of Operalions
General D. Joaquin Ramirez y Sesma, who has been entrusted with the command of the 1sl brigade lo aid Bejar or to fight the besiegers, will observe the following: l. Upon your arrival at the villa of Laredo you will solicit the replacements destined for the Morelos battalion; if they are not in that city you will order the commander, who has them in his charge, to join you as soon as possible; you will arm the individuals who are unarmed, clislributing them in the different corps of the division. If the replacements are on the road of Laredo to Bejar you will order them to stop until you have joined them, as you have already been instructed. 2. From the towi1s through which you pass you will take, making use of their enthusiasm, as many capable citizens who know how lo handle arms, incorporating them in your ranks as Voluntary Auxiliaries, to enlarge the division. 3. From Laredo you will order the enemy observed so that, in conformity with your approach, you may have positive information of the position which they hold, force, the number of cannons with which they count, and even, if it is possible, of the operations which they are thinking of executing, so that you can arrange your operations with more effect; at the same time you will send the convicts of trust, ancl well experienced with the terrain, to General Cos, advising him of the date when you should see the enemy's camp, at a distance, and if you should observe artillery fire that will inform you that a battle between your forces and that of the besiegers has begun, make a sortie with all the force that you can, to better assure the action. This communication will be sent by two or three couriers instructing them of the place where they should find you with the reply. 4. Your march from Laredo lo Bejar once begun, you must proceed with the utmost precautions so that you should not be surprised by an ambush, or during the night in your camp, seeing that the service is carriecl oul according to the strictest laws of the militia. 5. If the enemy should come out to offer battle, you will
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