WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
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OCTOBER, 1842
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To ALEXANDER SOMERVELU Executive Department, Washington, October 3, 1842. To Brigadier General A. Somervell:~ Sir - Your official communication from San Felipe, under date of 29th Ultimo, reached me late last night. I seize the first opportunity to communicate my orders. You will proceed to the most eligible point on the Southwestern frontier of Texas, and concentrate with the force now under your command, all troops who may submit to your orders, and if you can advance with a prospect of success into the enemy's territory, you will do so forthwith. You are at liberty to take one or two pieces of ordnance now at Gonzales. For my own part I have but little confidence in cannon on a march. They will do on a retreat where the forces are nearly equal, but they embarrass the advance of an army. And if pressed hard on a retreat, the great aversion that troops have to leave their artillery may induce delay and embarrass all the movements of the army. Our greatest reliance will be upon light troops, and the celerity of our movements. Hence, the neces- sity of discipline and subordination. You will therefore receive no troops into service, but such as will be subordinate to your orders and the rules of war. You will receive no troops into your command but such as will march across the Rio Grande under your orders if required by you so to do. If you cross the Rio Grande you must suffer no surprise, but be always on the alert. Let your arms be inspected night and morning, and your scouts always on the lookout. You will be controlled by the rules of the most civilized war- fare, and you will find the advantage of exercising great humanity towards the common people. In battle let the enemy feel the fierceness of just resentment and retribution. The orders of the government of the 15th ultimo, having been disregarded by those who have gone to Bexar, in never having reported or communicated with the Department of War, the Ex- ecutive will not recognize their conduct, and you alone will be held responsible to the government and be sustained by its re- sources. You will report as often as possible your operations. You may rely upon the gallant Hays and his companions; and I desire that you should obtain his services and cooperation and
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