Examined and approved Signed S. F. Austin
April 25, 1836
pr. Wm. Wharton BT. Archer
Cr.
1836 Janry. April
22 By Cash paid at N cw Orleans 5 " Ditto " "Washington City Balance [2877] [------lo------)
$200.00 50.00 451.37
Jonesboro, 25th April, 1836 .. Dear Sir - When I wrote you last, I promised that I would continue to give you such information relative to the war in Texas as I might be possessed of. I now attempt the fulfilment of that promise, and regret exceedingly that it should be of so melancholy a nature. An express from the lower end of this country, passed through this place last evening, warning the citizens of their imminent danger, from a threatened attack of the Indians of Texas. The news which I gathered from him (the express) is about as follows; It is said, that on the 14th of the present month, about 1500 Indians of the Caddo, Kickapoo, Shawnee and Cherokee nations, had embodied themselves about 60 miles west of Nacog- doches, with a Spanish Colonel at their head, who was stimulating them to attack the settlements of Red River. Much alarm is felt by many for the safety of both persons and property, and an excitement, such as I have rarely ever witnessed before, pervaded the bosoms of all- an excitement which seems to bide them defiance. It is true, that our numbers, comparatively speaking, are few, but every man is half a horse and half an alligator.' By the same express,we learn that it is generally believed that Capt Charles Burkham, of this country, who left here a few weeks since,in command of a company of volunteers, bound for the seat of war, has been cut off between this and Nacogdoches, by the Indians, as sufficient time has elasped since his departure to have reached Nacogdoches, at which place, up to the date of our news, he had not been heard of. We also learn, by the same express, that the town of Nacogdoches was burnt by the citizens, and that every man was endeavoring lo place his family and property in a stale of security, ere he turns to mingle in the bloody strife which most shortly ensue. Gen. Houston was on the Brazos, with about 1200 men, and his force increasing.
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