WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
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judgment may direct, and proceed to the organization and drill of all the troops who may report to you, with a firm resolve to be obedient to orders, and, if required, to cross the Rio Grande- None others will be received into the service; nor will supplies of any kind be issued to such, as they would only consume the substance of the frontier inhabitants, without securing to them the corresponding benefit. The greatest care and economy must be observed under any circumstances, or starvation will be the consequence. To insure even probable success, it will be necessary to conduct all your movements with secrecy; for this reason, San Antonio is not deemed a proper place for concentration. If possible, the enemy should be kept in ignorance of our designs; otherwise all our efforts will be counteracted and prove abortive. Too much care cannot be observed to prevent the approach or entrance into your encampment of the native Mexicans of San Antonio. If free ingress and egress is permitted there, your operations, strength, and resources will most certainly reach the enemy. When the force shall have assembled, if their strength and con- dition will warrant a movement upon the enemy, it is desirable that it should be executed with promptness and efficiency. A plan of the organization for the army will be forwarded to you - Meantime, you will allow only the requisite number of Officers to the men in the field, one soldie1· who fights well, and does his duty is worth two officers who fight indifferently, and who neither understand, nor will discharge their duty. Officers sometimes embarrass men, who in private stations, would do well, and render efficient service to their country. You will find enclosed an extract from the Law of 18th January 1841 to complete the organization of the militia. If the troops wish to organize under it, they will of course be permitted to do so on application to you, and may elect all their officers, excepting only the commandant of the expedition. You will keep the Department constantly advised of your prog- ress, and success in the execution of your orders. By order of the President: M. C. Hamilton, Acting Sec. vVar &Marine. 1The National Archives, Washington, D. C., Records of the Department of State, Communications from Agents of Texas, Volume I (March 2, 1836- November 6, 1846). This order was evidently dictated by Houston. Several
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