desert in which I was placed, whose scanty habitations and subsistence had been reduced lu ashes by the uw11ers themselves, and I was ignorant of the pla11 uf campaign which the president had thought ul', because his Excellency had not confided it to any one. The situation of the army was then, under every aspect the most lamc11tablc and discouraging even for the most intrepid and unthinking of men. I can assure your Excellency that cvc11 triumphing and without the misfortune of the 21st, the army would very little have bettered their sad situation. The enemy possess three steam boats mid several small schooners, with which, by taking their posilio11 011 Galvcslu11 a11d the island of Culcbra, they could with impunity have made incursions up the river agai11sl our right flank and rear-guard, and also place i11 jeopardy our dclatchmc11ts al Copa110, Goliad a11d Matagorda, because the wet weather, by leaving us isolated betwee11 the Trinity and Brazos, and between this and the Colorado, would have put it out of our power Lu give them speedy assistance, and cul off our communications for receiving provisions. The conquest of Texas will always be.an easy matter for the Mexican republic; but the preservation of it in my opinion requires very dit'ferent measures from those adopted in this campaign; it must be a work of judgment, prudence, cunslancy and immense sacrifices by the public treasury; the contrary will produce nothing but momentary advantages, enormous expe11ses, a11d shameful consequences. Aware, thc11, of the situation in which J was placed, and wishing to hear lhc upi11io11 of the generals, my compai1io11s in arms, I assembled them, and they unanimously agreed, that it was necessary Lo re-pass the river Colorado, establish our communications with the interior of the rcpuLlic, and await assislance from the government and inslructions, when they should be udviscd of the misfortune that had happcrwcl and of lhc condition of the army in every respect. In co11sc411encc, J disposed a retrograde movement lo the pass called Cayce's, in the direclio11 of this village, ordcrirrg colonei Francisco Garay lo march one day's journey in advance, and lo construct some rafts or ulhcr means proper for passing the river. Orr the 27th, J left lhc clwclli11g of Mrs. Powel l'or the rivulets of San 13cmard, aml al lwo o'clock of thal afternoon was passirrg the first of th<'m, when II lwavy raira commenced falling, which eontinur.cl until lhc fullowi11g day. Tlw
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