202
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1838
To CHESTER NEWELL1
18th April, 1838. I was master of my own counsels, and did command my men. There was order after I took command and one counsel of war on the day after [sic] the Battle. I then acted contrary to their advice. Had the Bridge cut down, and made the attack. Maj. Wills & Col. Bennett were in favor of fighting. Lt. Col Sommerville, Leut. Col. Millard, Col. Sherman, Colonel Burleson and Col Rusk Secy of War, concurred in the opinion, that as we had no bayonetts, would not attack, but if we were attacked, that we could whip all Mexico, in our position A floating Bridge was spoken of, and I adjourned the Council,- ordered Wharton & Coleman to see if materials cou [I] d be had to construct the bridge The[y] reported that it "might be" done by using the materials of General Zavala's house I replied that is enough, it [shall] not be done - send to have the bridge cut down by deaf Smith, and one companion Col. Forbes brought the axe, as directed, and six men in camp did not know that it was intended Deaf Smith joined me in the camp on his return This is all known to be correct Sam Houston 1 From the original, owned by the Dallas Historical Society. On the same day, April 18, 1838, Chester Newell had written the following letter to Houston: Houston, Ap. 18th 1838. Dear Sir, You will recollect that I remarked to you this morning that I had been making the Revolution in Texas the principal subject of my study and investigation, and that I had my own views: I mean, particularly, of the part you had the distinguished honor to act:- they are briefly the following: that you was master of your own counsels and of your men: that no other man in Texas could have taken such undisciplined troops as the Texans were in the campaign of '36 and have kept them in any sort of check; that by your forbearance, prudence and watchfulness you kept together and preserved the army; and that finally, by your skill and valor, you led them to ~ctor~ Now, Sir, what is my object in the above statement! It is not, let me say in the first place, to cause difficulty, and thereby to injure another: it is not - God forbid it should be - to raise my obscure self into notice by causing misunderstanding between those in conspicuous stations. It is three fold; - first to apprise you, that, being resolved to publish and publish in an independent manner notwithstanding difficulties flung in my way by a certain individual, to app_rise ~ou, I say, that _I s?all_ endeavor, and that it will give me much satisfaction, to do you 711st1ce m what I shall publish: Secondly, to get such additional information from you ~s will add value to my publication: And, thirdly, it is to warrant me m
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