and Galveston to superintend the construction of fortifications at those respective points-in all matters therefore relating to that branch of the public service at Velasco Col. Harcourt will have the command; but the government having a just confidence in your well known energy of character, will he well assured that in the event of an assault on the post by the enemy, it will be well and successfully defended. I have the honor to be vry. resptly. yr obt. svl. Robt. Potter Secy. of the Navy (2500) [RUSK to PUBLIC] [Thomas J. Rusk, Harrisburg, to the People of Texas, March 31, 1836, appealing to the public to march to the defence of the country.] (2501) [BRISCOE to EDITOR] Bexar has fallen! Its garrison, only 187 strong, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Wm. B. Travis, after withstanding repeated attacks for two weeks, and an almost constant cannonade and bombarding during that time. The last attack was made the morning of the 6th inst., by upwards of two thousand men under the command of Santa Anna in person. They carried the place about sunrise with the loss of 520 killed and about as many wounded, After about an hour's fighting the whole garrison was put to death save the si.ck and wounded and seven who asked for quarter. All fought desperately until entirely cut down. The rest were cooly murdered. The brave and gallant Travis, in order to save himself from falling into the hands of the enemy shot himself. Not an individual escaped, and the news is only known to us by a citizen of Bexar, who came to our army at Gonzales, but from the cessation of Travis' signal guns, there is not doubt of the truth. Colonels James Bowie and Crockett were among the slain; the first was murdered in his bed in which he had been confined by sickness. The latter fell fighting like a tiger. To the Editor Red River Herald: Sir:
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