had burnt a bridge ,vhich was Lhe only road for relrealing, and in consequence they obtained nothing, or very little in either view, for all had been killed or made prisoners. Alarm a11d discouragement was ge11eral amongst all classes, for it was believed lhal all the prisouers, the president included, would have been shot as a reprisal for the conduct observed in Bexar a11d Goliad with theirs. The situation which the army was in at Old Fort was extremely exposed; the camp was situated on an angle jutting out towards the left bank of the river; the lauding on that side is surrounded by a thick wood of live oaks, from whence the e11emy could fire without being seen, and the ba11k of the river is higher on the left side than the right, from where it was necessary to sustain those who would be attacked from the olher side: on the other hand, the river ca11 be passed i11 various places at a little distance farther up or down, and in this case, the forces that were there would have found themselves caught in a trap, as is commonly said: it was very urgent lo leave this false position, make general Gaona re-cross the river, lo re-unite the forces which general Urrea ' commanded that were in Brazoria, and to take measures conducivf:' to the safety of all; whi~h was effected on lhe 25th al the dwelling of Mrs. Powel, five leagues from Old Forl. The march of the army had been as far as the right bank of the river Brazos, similar to a torrent; it was only necessary lo advance in order to conquer; the soldiers, with inimitable heroism had borne every kind of privations -and fatigue, their clothing destroyed in the passing of the rivers, mending the roads, and during the long and painful marches which had been performed without any rest, and without even being able to wash themselves for one day; the grealer part of the troops were barefooted, wanting clothing, shelter and everything necessary to endure a campaign at such au imme11se distance; for many days lhey had not eaten biscuit, and after leaving Monclova they had only received half a pound of Lhal or baked corn bread. The ofticers were in want of everything; a carga of corn, (about four bushels,) came lo be sold at the exorbitant price of ninety dollars; a loal of bread has cost three; a tortilla two rials, for a small lump of sugar, two dollars and a half has been paid; and for a pint of brandy, eight dollars. I had behind me two large rivers, unguarded by any detatchment, a number of sick without physicians, without medici11es, a11d without the hope of any provision in Lhe wide
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