Laredo road lo in lercepl the reported reinforcements. Cap Fannin marched prompLly, bul was nol joined by the party from the upper camp, he however proceed[e<lj on the Laredo road as far as rio frio. He returned last night. I enclose his official report. This officer has been very r.fficient and I recommend him as one of the officers of the regular army when it is organized. On the 14th I recd. information that Col Ugarlechea left Bexar the night before for Laredo supposed[ly J for thr purpose of escorting the expected reinforcements-I immediately dispatched Col. Burlison with one hundred and thirty men in pursuit of him. I have since learned Lhat Ugarlechea had a man for a pilot who has lived with the Comanches and that he will make a great circuit by the hills on the head of [the) Medina, the prospect of Burlison's meeting him is therefore douhtfull. According to the best accounts the reinforcements have not yet left Laredo. The enemy are shut up in the walls and fortifications of Bexar, parlies of our volunteers go round the Lown dayly, and within cannon shot. We have picked up about hventy of their six pound shot. I have heretofore on various occasions submitted to a council of officers the Storming of the fortifications, and I am now decidedly in favor of that measure, so soon as the orleans Greys get up from Goliad; and Burlisons detachment returns. The works are stronger than they were but are greatly extended, and consequently the defending force is very much scattered. The troops inside are also very much discouraged and begin lo consider the contest as hopeless, cut off as they are from resources with a wilderness in the rear, which has been burnt nearly aJI the way to rio Grande on aJl the roads. Bexar must fall in a short time for want of resources without loss on our part and I think il could be Stormed successfully, tho al very considerable risk of loosing men. My health which has been very bad from severe dysentery since the army left the Cibolo, has improved within the last few days very much. The army has done all that could have been done under the circumstances, and without materials, and organization, which latter is purely voluntary. It deserves great credit for its sufcrings and perseverance. I have every conficlcncc that a short lime will end this campaign. Yours respectfully S.F. Austin
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