gun was fired in or near the camp, or on the march (except to kill beef), from the Guadalupe lo the Colorado. AU would have been well, and all at peace on this side of the Colorado, if I could only have had a moment to start an express in advance of the deserts; but they went first, and, being panic struck, it was contagious, and all who s,aw them breathed the poison and fled. It was a poor compliment to me to suppose that l would not advise the Convention of any necessity which might arise for their removal. I sent word and advices, the first moment of leisure, lo the Convention; and all was calm in my communications to Mr. Collingsworth. I set word and advices, the first moment of leisure, to the Convention; and all was calm in my communications to Mr. Collingsworth. I had to advise troops and persons of my falling back, and had to send one guard thirty miles for a poor blind widow (and six children), whose husband was killed in the Alamo. The families are now all on this side of the Guadalupe. These things pained me infinitely, and with the responsibility of my command, weighed upon me to an agonizing extent. This moment an express has arrived, and states that Fannin took up his retreat on Saturday last(!9th), and a few miles from La Bahia, he was attacked by the Mexican army and surrounded about an hour and a half before sundown. The battle continued into the night, and the result is not known. The express states that Colonel Ward's command had not returned. I am at a loss to know how matters stand. I will try and make a good report for the future. The Matamoras policy, I hope, is now nm out; and the evils growing out of the conduct of the council, ended. Changing this from a familiar to a official character, I must say that, if we are to meet an accession of force, which must be the case if Fannin is cut off, we must have the strength of the country: Arms and ammunition have just reached camp, and I hope what men we have will be well armed and supplied with fighting materials. Two spies have been taken to-day, and they report the force of the enemy in this quarter less than 1 h~d heard it. Let the Mexican force be what it may, if the country will turn out, we can beat them. The retreat of the government will have a bad effect on the troops, and I am half-provoked at it myself. The Mexicans cannot fight us upon anything like fair terms. I will get any advantage I can if I fight. If what I have heard from Fannin be
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