531
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1842
keep the Executive constantly apprized of your movements, You will not fail, if the compaign is prosecuted, to move as soon as practicable. If there should be a force at Victoria, as has been rumored here, and they are anxious to advance, with the prospect of doing the country any service, you will direct them to cross at some eligible point, so as to cooperate with your command. The senior Colonel in the field-should there be a colonel's command-will be entitled to lead them. A greater proportion of officers to the troops than the law allows will not be sanctioned. Should you cross the Rio Grande do not permit yourself to be unprepared. You will prosecute your operations with caution, quickness and energy. By surprising the enemy, you will ·gain every advantage. Strike into them and they will flee before you: but do not let this supposition throw you off your guard. You will communicate this order to the troops. Salute the army for us, and assure them of a soldier's most ardent wishes for their success, for victory, for glory and advantage to our country. Sam Houston. 1 Exccutive Rcco1·d Book, No. 40, pp. 71-72, Texas State Library. 2 See Brown, History of Texas, II, 214-220. TO GENERAL ALEXANDER SOMERVELL 1 Executive Department, City of Houston, March 22, 1842. To General A. Somervell: Sir,- A duplicate of the accompanying order has been sent to you, at San Antonio, by way of Austin. You will give the greatest efficiency to the operations of the troops. For your success and that of the army you have my devout prayers. Until the upper towns on the Rio Grande are taken and the stock driven in, it will not be wise to advance upon Matamoros. There should be system and cooperation .in all important move- ments. The archives ~re ordered to this place, and of course, you will report to this point. I hope you will find no sedition in camp, as no one has a shadow of a right to your rank or command. You command the first
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