hood of the Texan boundary. Colonels Johnson and Grant, in the vicinage of San Patricio. encountered the van of the righ I division of the invading army, and nearly their whole compan·y were cul off. Of this unhappy mischance, Colonel Johnson, who, with two or three others, were the only survivors, brought the first tidings. lt was on the first of !\larch that Colonel Fannin wrote lo the Governor and Council of Texas, thus:-"I am pleased to inform you of the arrival. last night, of Colonel Johnson, :\kssrs. Tone, Toler, and i\-Iiller, who were :;o fortunate as to ,·scape from San Patricio. They can give no information a:; to the remainder of their companions, except of Mr. Beck, who also escaped, and is below.... From all I can learn. we have lo play a d<'spcrate game, on both :side!:': life. liberty, and property-the honour of our fami- lies and ancestors on th<' one;-a Throne and Power Supreme on the other. ;\luch larger preparations have been made, and are making, (than expected) lo insure the conquest and expulsion of every man who speaks the English language, from Mexican soil. ... General Ramirez Sezma has command of the division ap· proaching, or already in, Texas, and probably in Bexar. I have not sufficient information as lo who comes here, or as to number, or time of approach.... Some troops are approaching from Laredo, the advance of which we suppose to be the party who allacked and routed our countrymen al San Patricio. I am now pr<'tty well prepared to make battle. I have nearly completed my fortifica- tions, and have beef enough for twenty days, and will haVf• more. I hope soon to have coff<~e, clothing, and some ammunition. I learn from several sources, that as soon as Bexar is retaken, they ncxt march here, and thus complete their chain of communication lo the Interior and Gulf. I am resolved lo await your orders, let the consequence be what it may. But I say to you, candidly, and without the fear of l\foxican arms, that unless the people of Texas, forthwith, turn out in mass, agreeably to my plan of the 8th ult., those now in the field will be sacrificed, and Llw balllcs that should be fought here, will be fought East of tlw 13ras:-os, and probably the Trinity. I should be pleased to have one mon· express from Washington. and if we are not to he su:staincd in a proper manner, ani in good time, receive orders lo fall back lo the Provisions, and on the Colonies, and let us all go together. 1 again repeat to you, that I consider myself bound to await your orders. I cannot, in a military point of view, he considcrcJ now as acting
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