(2351) [HOUSTON ARMY ORDERS]
Army Orders Head Quarters Colorado River March 17th, 1836. To Colonel J. W. Fannin
Colonel J. W. Fannin, Jr., will take a position on the bay of Lavaca, or any other point best calculated for the protection of the provisions, ammunition, &c., at Coxe's point and Dimit's landing. The army now near Burnham's, on the Colorado, will remain for a time, and, according to circumstances, fall down the river. Colonel Fannin will therefore hold himself in constant readiness to join the commander-in-chief. The Red.landers are already in motion, and will join the army as soon as possible. Regulars and volunteers are also on the march to headquarters. If Colonel Fannin can not maintain his position, he will fall back on the main army-the object of the movement now ordered being only for the protection of the arms, ammunition, &c. The present force on the Colorado numbers four hundred and twenty effective men. Should a permanent fortification be necessary on the bay of Lavaca, or other point, for the protection of the stores, &c., Colonel Fannin will judge of the expedience (with the command under him) of erecting them. The commanding general, not having detailed report of his force, can only order that such measures shall be taken as will be best for the good of the service and the protection of the country. Stock of all descriptions will be driven to the east side of the Colorado. . Sam Houston Commander-in-chief of the Army (2352] [HOUSTON to COLLINSWORTH] Burnham's, Colorado, March 17, 1836. To the Hon. James Collingsworth, Chairman of Military Committee: Sir: To-day, at half-past four in the afternoon, I reached this point with about six hundred men, including my rear-guard,
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