322
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
from you, ordered me not to advance, but to wait further orders. You afterward ordered me, with my command, back to our camp, and showed evident dis- satisfaction with Sherman for disobeying your orders, in attempting to bring on a general engagement, when you did not intend it should be done. It was then late in the evening of the 20th. After the arrival of General Cos' command, next morning (21st), and I think it was between twelve and two o'clock, I was summoned to attend a council of war. I attended with six other field officers, when you told us the object of our being called together. You asked the council 'whether we should attack the enemy, 01· remain in our position cind [let] the ene·my attack us.' The officer lowest in rank voted first, and so on, until all voted. Only two out of the seven voted for attacking the enemy. The balance voted in fav01· of awaiting the attack upon us. They said that we had not bayonets to cha,rge with, and that it was through an open prairie; that our position was strong, and in it we could whip all Mexico. When you received the sense of the council, you gave no opinion, but dismissed the members. Soon after, I was riding out to graze my horse and take a look at the enemy. You spoke to me, and asked me my object in riding out. I told you, when you said, 'Do not be absent, Colonel, more than thirty minutes, as I will want you.' I did return in less than a half hour; you requested me to see my captains and men, and ascertain their feelings about fighting. I reported favorably, and said they were anxious to fight, or they told many lies. You ordered the troops to be paraded ; the second regi- ment, called Sherman's, as he was Colonel, and myself, Lieutenant-Colonel. Soon after you ordered the parade, Colonel Sherman, in company with Colonel Burleson, came to me, and asked me if I intended to obey your orders, and if I did not think it would be better to wait until next morning, just before day, and make the attack. Sherman went on to say that whatever I said should be done. I told him that I would fight, if you said so, and that I would follow you to h-1, if you would lead, in defending Texas. They then left me. When Colonel Sherman and myself were mounted, at the head of the regiment, he asked me if I would take command that day, as I had some experience in fighting, and he never had been in a battle. I thanked him kindly, saying that I would do so, and after we were ordered to ad- vance he rode with me until the enemy commenced firing'upon us. Colonel Sherman then left in great haste for a small island of timber, about three hundred yards distant, in the rear of our left wing, where he secured
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