mob. Indeed in an Election riot in the United Stales I have seen the contending parties much better organized than I ever expect to see this army until some more efficient officers are appointed. The elements of a most effective force are here, but the army needs reforming, according to Genl. Jacksons cleffinition of the term.- There are too many men in this army, Sir, who have an eye to ?ffice after the war is over and who have more regard to their own mlerests, than to the welfare of Texas. These individuals appear to have joined the army for no other reason than to gain popularity by the most-fawning and obsequious conduct towards all around them, currying favors with the most disaffected by by the most gross abuse of those at the head of affairs, and finally sparing no means however base to advance themselves.-Many of the mean of whom I speak are high in office and have the management of the affairs of the army.-You may easily judge therefore if any thing is done by this army, it must be under the most favorable circumstances to ensure it success. Circumstances such as rarely happen unless through the vanity, overweening, confidence, or the ignorance of an enemy-with respect to armies we are very badly provided for. Some of the men have no arms at all, but the majority are armed with rifles usually (in the hands of inexperienced men a very inefficient weapon, when opposed by tl!e musket and bayonet of a discipined Soldier) we have not I think more than 100 muskets and bayonets in the army, though there were 300 at Brazoria more than a week since which might with very little trouble have been brought into Camp. We are very badly provided with breadstuffs, not a barrel of flour in the army though there is flour in abundance at Brazoria and the Steam Boat was in our possession ten days before the Mexicans reached the Bank of the river. The Mexicans reached San Felippe yesterday and since that time they have been occasionally been commanding the opposite bank of the river with grape and cannister shot, but with very little effect. One of our men was killed by a grape shot through the head, and another who was piquet on the western Bank of the river, when the Mexicans arrived was caught with a lasso during a comfortable snooze ehich he was taking whilst on post as a Sentinel. Report says one of the Mexicans was also killed, but I think the rumor wants confirmation. We are in striking distance of the enemy and there are no sign of moving. Our men are loitering about without knowing more of l\lilitary Tactics at evening than they did in the morning. While the General either for want of his customary excitement (for he has entirely discontinued the use of ardent Spirits) or as some say from the effect of opium is in a condition between sleeping and walking
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