[2735 J [THOMAS lo HOUSTON]
War Department Harrisburg April 12, 1836
To Gen Sam Houston Commander in Chief of the Army of Texas Sir
. Last evening_ Capt. Walker sent in an express to this place statmg that the Mexicans had appeared at Fort Bend and attacked Capt. Martin at two points and further stated that he had just secured information that some of them had crossed over at ~lortons ferry. Capt. Perry came in last night and stated that about fifty had crossed over and taken possession of Mortons House. Capt. Briscoe with one man was sent out last night to reconnoiter and to see what was the movements of the enemy. They have just returned. Capt. Briscoe went as far as Staffords twenty miles of this place received intelligence on which he thinks he can rely that four hundred Mexicans had crossed over and were on this side of the Brassos in the Bottom on the river. Capt. Martin had retreated with some families and was retreating with a number of families up the Brassos that he had only sixty men now, on his orders for a retreat most of the men left him and dispersed. Whe~ he got out to the prairie he had about twenty men out of his command. There is nothing to slop the march of the enemy now Lo this place on Galveston in twenty four hours. There are a number or families here and in the neighborhood who came here under the belief that they would be safe are now exposed to the attack of the enemy. You have assured the Government that the enemy should never cross the Brassos they have relied on your assurance. But they find your pledges not verified, and numbers of families exposed to the ravages of the enemy. The country expects something from you, the Govermnent looks to you for action, the time has now arrived to determine whether we are to give up the country and make the best of our way out of its or to meet the enemy and make at least one struggle for our boasted Independence. The Government does not intend to control your movements. But it is expected that you will take measures without delay to check the enemies movements. We have been informed that most of the enemy had disappeared from San Felipe. l am your obt servt in haste
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David Thomas Act Sec at War
451
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