entitle me to 1800 or more acres of land which will be valuable. It will revert to my representatives, and father should claim it. Tell him I owe Mr. Hagerty in N. Y. and a portion of it can be applied to the dis~harge of that debt. We will take with us, four peices of artillery, two sixes and two fours.-Now is the time for the people of the U.S. to do some thing for Texas. Can nothing be done in Staunton? Give my love to all the family, tell mother to remember me, and tell them all to write to me. They are calling for me now. In the greatest haste, Ever your brother, John Sowers Brooks 'To Miss Mary Ann Brooks] (2171] [BROOKS to BROOKS]
Fort Defiance, Goliad, Texas, Feb. 25th, 1836, 10 P'M'
My dear Father:-
1 wrote to Mary Ann today, and as the Express does not leave before reveille tomorrow, I thought that I might profitably employ the few moments I have obtained in writing to you, for it is possible I may never have another opportunity. In my letter, I gave a hasty detail of our intended move- ments and the causes which produced them and I would refer you to it, if it has reached its destination. From information received since the Jetter above referred to, was written, we are induced to believe that the Mexican force at and near San Antonio de Bexar docs not exceed 3000. The Garrison which has been withdrawn from the town to the Alamo, a Fort in the suburbs, consists in 156 men. They are resolute and have determined to die in the ditch rather than dishonor them- selves, the cause they have espoused, or the Country they repre- sent. We will march at the ,dawn of day tomorrow with 320 men, and 4 pieces of artillcry,-2 sixes and 2 fours. We have no provisions scarcely, and many of us are naked and entirely desti- tute of shoes. But something must be done to relieve our Country. We have suffered much and may reasonably anticipate much greater suffering. But if we succeed in reaching Bexar, before the Garrison is compelled to surrender and are successful in taking the
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