WRITINcs oF SAM HousToN, 1s,i2
129
paign. They must look to the valley of the Rio Grande for Re- muneration. The Government will claim no portion of the SPOILS. They will be divided among the victors. The Flag of Texas will accompany the expedition. It is proposed to raise the requisite number of men West of the Trinity. .If they were to march from Eastward of that river to the Western Country- the men and horses would consume the substance indispensable to family use; and prevent Emigration for the want of supplies. ·Those who are expected to march will start from home with a sufficiency of provisions to support them to the Rendezvous, and they are interdicted from feeding any grain to their horses. At the point of Rendezvous which will, at the proper time be directed at the Sulphur Spring near the Mouth of the Cibelo, they will prepare the requisite amount of provisions from cattle contributed to sustain them till they reach the Rio Grande. They will have authority to cross and make such reprisals upon Mexico as civil- ized and honorable warfare wtil justify in our present relations with our common enemy. As soon as the troops are raised in the Several Counties, they will elect their company officers; and as soon as organized into companies in the Several Counties, will forthwith report by express to the War Department; and as soon as possible thereafter the Executive will appoint the time of rendezvous, and when they shall have arrived at their rendezvous they will elect their field officers for one Regiment. As soon as practicable they will take up the line of march. Previous to that time, however, orders from the Executive will reach them sug- gesting the general plan of a campaign subject to be varied by the circumstances of the service in which they may be engaged. As no regular draft or detail is made to compose the force by relying wholly upon the ardor and willingness heretofore ex- pressed in the different sections of the Country, and assurances that many were anxious to volunteer, and not wishing to employ our whole force on the present occasion, I have thought proper to tender the opportunity to the counties in the following order- The citizens of·which, if they should volunteer to the amount named, will compose a force of thirteen hundred and twenty men-exclusive of one hundred Indian forces, to be employed as the commanding officer may think best; but not to be permitted any excesses of Savage ,,varfare
Powered by FlippingBook