provisions, refused lo send more in the fu lure. This made me fear that I would nol receive any by sea for a long lime; and as lo receiving them by laud, besides there not being a great quantity in the departments of the republic from whence they could come lo me, the distance being enormous, and the means of transportation so difficult, that the army would have perished before receiving them. As the army is composed rather of squads of battalions, than of these properly so called, the number of chiefs, officers, &c., is three limP.s what they ought to be, in proportion to their force; so it is that the mules for carrying and pulling. which arc with the army, are in prodigious quantities; this circumstance renders it almost immoveable, and very lillle fit for the operations of war; heavy for the offensive, and very dangerous or exposed for the defensive, as it has lo lake care of more than two thousand beasts for carrying and hauling, without reckoning the horses of the mounted soldiers, generals, chiefs and officers, which, as there is nothing for them to eat but grass, have every day lo go to a greater distance, and increases the care; because the wild Indians and the people of Bexar are constantly scheming lo rob what they can, and do it with so much sagacity and dexterity, that it is difficult lo avoid it; my horses and baggage mules have already shared this fate, as well as others of several chiefs and officers. Bexar is forty leagues distan l from Goliad, and in case of being attacked, al leasl six days march would be necessary lo send aid to it, as it is not easy to obtain news in good time through immense deserts, where a road may be inlercepted by any small party; and besides, during the rainy season, the roads from the left border of the Bravo, as far as the Sabine, are impracticable, not only for the operations of war, but also for mercantile speculations; and the rivers become innense lakes, impossible to be crossed. So then, your Excellency, mine was a most embarrassing situation: I found that it would be impossible either lo return to the offensive, or lo remain on the defensive: first, for want of provisions, and other assistance for preservation, and the season of the year; and the season of lhe year; and because, in addition, throughout the whole counlry comprised between lhe rivers Guadalupe, Colorado and Brazos, fevers are so common from June to November, thal il is a miracle in any year that a single one of the inhabitants escapes being allacked by them, and it would have been wishing lo mak~ a voluntary loss; and secondly, becaw;e
436
Powered by FlippingBook