WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1842
198
Or have any been mustered into service or retained in camp con- trary to their inclinations and in violation of the orders of His Excellency the President and of the Department? It was expected that those who were anxious to enter the ene- mies territory would be prepared to march immediately upon their organization, which should have been completed the moment they reported themselves. Staff Officers were appointed and ordered to report at Head Quarters so that every facility might be afforded in the organiza- tion and in procuring supplies for those who were mustered into service, so that no delay might arise on these accounts. Those who were not disposed to join the expedition should have. de- parted instantly for their homes. It was not the design of the Government to keep an undisciplined and disorganized army sta- tioned on the frontier merely for the purpose of consuming the little substance remaining of a population already nearly reduced to starvation. It was left to your own discretion to determine whether the strength and condition of the force, after it had been organized, would authorize you leading them into the enemies country; and if so, to act with the greatest promptitude so as to relieve the frontier of the burden of supporting them. Your communication of 7th inst. has just been received; but it affords no information as to the probable number of men at your encampment - how they are supplied - when you can probably take up the line of march, or whether it will be practicable with the force which you are likely to have at your command, to carry out, at this advanced season of the year, the objects contemplated. If it is, you will see the necessity of prompt and energetic move- ment. If it is not, why it is hoped that you will see the propriety of disbanding the troops at once-they have now been on the frontier six weeks, and are seemingly as little prepared for the march as when they first arrived. It is expected by his Excellency the President that you will exercise a sound discretion in reference to the matter and what- ever you may determine to do, do it promptly. It is to be regretted that San Antonio or any place in its neighborhood was selected as the point of rendezvous. This was in direct violation of the most positive orders - In the first place, it is impossible to organize troops at that place, and be- . sides it was known that there were no supplies there, and then
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