WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1842
202
the enemy to the greatest extent possible. It appears to me that Camargo would be the point at which you would be the least ex- pected, and where the greatest impression could be made on the country. The most efficient force of the enemy will be at the Presidio. You will find the Cherokees, and the warriors associated with them, the most efficient and dangerous enemy that you .could encounter on the other side of the Rio Grande. They are located in the neighborhood of Presidio. The suggestions of the spies, touching the abundance of sup- plies in the neighborhood of Presidio, or on any part of the Rio Grande, I would not rely upon; and less at that point than any other. The fact of Woll's army having been mustered and sus- tained there for a time, and falling back again after the cam- paign at that point, is my reason for discrediting their report. Supplies have never been considered abundant any where on that river. But in relation to these subjects your opportunities for information are better than mine; and I regret exceedingly that you have not been more circumstantial in your details of in- formation. I had no idea that the season would have been permitted to advance so far before active operations would have been com- menced; or, if it had been found impracticable to accomplish anything, it would have been proper that the men should have 1·eturned to their homes and left unconsumed the subsistence, that would have been available to sustain a smaller force, which might have been useful as well as necessary. Unless men are marshalled to cross the Rio Grande, and with that knowledge and determina- tion, the design as well as the wishes of the government will not be carried out. The orders upon this subject have been explana- tory as well as positive. What expectation or assurance you have of receiving supplies necessary for a campaign, I do not know, nor have you apprised me, only in general terms. I have had hopes that something would be done. I yet hope there may. You speak of expecting the artillery. If you should get it, and succeed in the campaign by its means, I would be gratified. If the campaign should fall through from want of supplies or any other cause, it is expected that the artillery will be returned to a place of safety, with all the public stores, and left in such a state of preservation as will render them useful to the country in case of emergency. I do not wish them left in reach of the enemy, and I command that nothing be wasted.
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