[2762) [THOMAS to HOUSTON)
War Department Harrisburg April 14, 1836
To Gen Sam Houston Commander in Chief of the Army of Texas Sir
I informed you by the last communication, that the enemy, as I believe, were falling down to Fort Bend, and had effected a crossing at that point-From different persons who have arrived, I am confident that the main force of the enemy which were at San Felipe have crossed over and are now at or near Fort Bend. Some men came here last evening from [torn] company at Irons Creek, who say that there was no cannon fired at San Felipe on the morning of the 12th-that they heard cannon but they were not at San Felipe.-that the Mexicans had entirely disappeared from that place. A young man came here yesterday who was at Mortons Ferry when the enemy crossed, he had a full opportunity of seeing their number as they marched through a field up lo Thomsons ferry, to attack Capt Martin, he thinks there were about four hundred. Martin it appears took no measures to prevent their crossing at Mortons, but fled without making any resistance- Some gentlemen, who have arrived here from Brazoria state that fourteen hundred Mexicans were marching toward that place by way of Caney and the Bernard-I am satisfied that theirobject is to march directly to Galveston Bay and probably visit this place. If they should take possession of Galveston, the whole of our Sea Coast will be in possession of the enemy.-You need make no calculation of the enemy searching after you, if you fight them you must find them-It is my opinion that if you cannot meet the enemy before he gets out of the Brazos bottom the best movement would be to face down towards Galveston, where you would be near the provisions and munitions of War, and prevent if possible Galveston falling into their hands-All our vessels are in the Bay and the fortifications are progressing as rapidly as possible, there are forty or fifty negroes at work there. The President and Vice President left here yesterday to provide for their families.-Potter has been at the Bay for sometime attending to the Navy. Hardeman and myself are the only members of the Cabinet present.-The President will return tomorrow or as soon as he provides for his family-Col. Jack, the bearer has been here for several days, he can
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