WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1836
396
out under guard (after having been kept in close confinement), a file of soldiers on each side of the prisoners. The guard then doubled files on the right of the prisoners, ki°lling all but one who made his escape. The enemy are said to have lost a thousand men in the action. . . . Will not our friends rush to the conflict, and at once avenge the wrongs which have been inflicted on our dauntless comrades! The day of just retribution ought not to be deferred. Send ex- presses to the coast and to the United States. The army is just organizing, and will soon be prepared. The last advices report that the enemy can not cross the Colorado-except a part of it- on account of high waters. Their delay is said, by others, to be owing to some difficulties in the interior, and a want of supplies. San Felipe was reduced to ashes, but not by my order. Sam Houston. P. S. It was reported in camp that you were coming to the army. As it is so reported, you had best come if possible. It will inspirit the troops. No express has reached me for some five days from Harrisburg. The army is in good spirits. 1Yoakum, History of Texas, II, 491. Morphis, History of ·Texas, 252-254. 2 See Houston to Henry Smith, January 30, 1836. To MosELY BAI{ER 1 Headquarters of the Army, Camp West of Brasos, April 5, 1836. To Captain Mosely Baker : 2 Sir: I have heard with extreme regret, complaints from vari- ous sources, of the destruction and waste of goods, stores, and public property, at San Felipe, and under your command. They may, perhaps, have been exaggerated; but every means in your power should have been used to preserve and protect the stores, until such were ordered to be destroyed; as it was totally impos- sible to send back the wagons across Mill creek. Captains Kim- brough3 and Bryant' have been ordered to cooperate with you; and the utmost harmony of action, subordination, and discipline, must be observed. The safety of the country requires it, and the commanding general orders a rigid adherence to it. Sam Houston. 1Yoakum, History of Texas, II, 492. :?Mosely Baker (September 20, 1802-November 4, 1848) was born .at Norfolk Virginia, but moved to Alabama in early life. There he studied law and was admitted to the bar, but after practicing his profession for
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