satisfaction of all unprejudiced minds I hope Sir that he may be immediately permited to go in serch of his family who has in all probability in consequence of his arrest before this fallen into the hands of a brutal Soldiery I have the honour to subscribe myself your eccelencys most obedient Servent
William Menifee
_ [~676] (PERRY to POTTER]
Camp West of Brazos 9th April 1836
l\ly Dear Sir
Agreeably to your request I embrace the earliest oppor- tunity of giving you the information you desire. With respect lo the army-upon my return immediately after my interview with you at Velasco, I found the army encamped upon the western shore of the Brazos opposite Groces plantation about 20 miles above San Felippe, we continue to occupy the same ground, but should the river rise much higher we shall be compelled to seek some more elevated position. Even now we are under the necessity of swimming to reach the prarie, and are almost flooded in our encampment. The camp is situated on a small lake or pool of stagnant water which serves as the general washing and watering place for men, animals and clothes, and as the ground we occupy gradually descends towards the lake it naturally becomes the receptical of all offals and filth, which necessarily collectes in large quantities around the tents &c in the vicinity of an army-We have now about 300 men sick and not more than twice that number reported for duty. In addition to these there is about 90 men at Fort Settlement and a few more at Brazoria and Columbia. This forms the whole of the available force, that Genl. Houston will be able at any Lime to bring into the field. These men are entirely without discipline, and I regret to say that it is rather to be attributed lo their officers than to the men themselves. I have observed on more than one occasions, that they are extremely anxious to learn; they seem to know in what they are deficient, and would gladly be made acquainted with their duty, but the greater part of the officers (if they themselves know any thing about military tactics) betray a most culpable disregard of their duties lo their country. With proper management the army could in the course of ten or twelve days be put into a very respectable state of discipline, but in the manner affairs are at presently conducted the men are not likely to become better disciplined than an ordinary
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