hope under the circumstances (the situalion of the country) this departmc from military duty may be looked over. When I wrolc yesterday it was my desire to have urged you to order on immediately because I know Millitia could not be kept al a post like this long at a time-and in this I was correct-take warning by this mishap you arc not upon a bed of roses-and if you are compcled· to stay long at a place; rely upon it, your men will desert you-There is nothing but their honor to govern them-that is in many ca~es but a cobweb-I know too much of my duty to leave this place until I here from you-I have prcvail<l upon many of the company lo do so but I have but little confidence that they can be quiet long without moving somewhare or other-What influence I may have shaU be used lo support you in your authority in all that is just and proper-In this opinion i may be obtrusive but as one who has much at stake I have a right to make such suggestions as may not be offensive-Let me urge you to keep your men in motion-be careful in your operations for I am persuaded you will have to contend for Bexar if you gel it- It is a last hope with Cos and if you should be defeated Texas must suffer-and the frontier must bleede freely for it-Let us be united in our forces and make a bold push and all will be right-but a devission of our little army may be minous to our cause
Benja F. Smith
[Addressed:] Genl. Stephen F. Austin Wharever he may be favd by Mr Hassill
! i I • I
[865) [VASQUEZ to COS]
[Rafael Vasquez, Veracruz, to Martin Perfecto de Cos, October 14, 1835, regarding the war in Texas. J
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