275
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1844
to know in what they are deficient & would gladly be made acquainted with their duty, but the greater part of the officers (if they themselves know any thing of military tactics) betray a most culpable disregard of their duties to their country. With proper management the army could in the course of ten or twelve days be put into a very respectable state of discipline, but in the manner that affairs are at present conducted, the men are not likely to become better disciplined than an ordinary mob. Indeed, in an Election riot in the United States, I have seen the con- tending parties better organized than I ever expect to see this army until some more efficient officers are appointed. The elements of a most effective force are here, but the army needs "reforming" according to Gen Jackson's difinition of the term. There are too many men in this army, Sir, who have an eye to office after the war is over, & who have more regard to their own interests than to the welfare of Texas. These individuals appear to have joined the army for no other reason, than to gain popularity by the most fawning and obsequious conduct towards all around them currying favor with the disaffected by the gross abuse of those at the head of affairs, & finally sparing no means however base to advance themselves. Many of the men of whom I speak are high in office and have the management of the affairs of the army. You may easily judge, therefore, if anything is done by this army, it must be under the most favorable circumstances, to ensure its success. Circum- stances that rarely happen unless through the vanity, overweening confi- dence or the gross ignorance of an enemy. With respect to arms we are very badly provided for. Some of the men have no arms at all, but the majority are armed with rifles, usually a very inefficient weapon in the hands of an inexperienced man when opposed by the musket and bayonet of a disciplined soldier. We have not more, I think, than 100 muskets & bayonets in the army, though there were 500 at Brazoria more than a week since which might, with very little trouble, have been brought into camp. The Mexicans reached San Felipe yesterday and since that time they have occasionally been cannonading the opposite bank of the river with grape and canister shot, but with very little effect. One of our men was killed by a grape shot through his head; & another, who was on picket on the western bank of the river, when the Mexicans arrived, was caught with a lasso during a comfortable snooze which he was taking while on post as sentinel. Report says that one of the Mexicans was also killed, but I think the rumor wants confirmation. We are now within striking distance of the enemy, and there are no signs of moving; our men are loitering about without knowing more of military tactics at evening than they did in the morning, while the General, either for want of his · customary excitement (for he has entirely discontinued the use of ardent spirits) or, as some say, from the use of opium, is in a condition between sleeping & waking which amounts nearly to a constant state of inanimity. Captain Allen of the Regular Army with his command has not yet reached us. We have not a single piece of artillery, and men are leaving us every day, by tens and twenties, dissatisfied with the unhealthy situation of the Camp & disgusted with the inactivity & want of energy in the General.- Not- withstanding what I have said, I am still sanguine of our success, for
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