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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1835-1836
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Washington the last of the facts. 2 Our friend Bowie, as is now understood, unable to get out of bed, shot himself as the soldiers approached it. Despalier, Parker, and others, when all hope was lossed followed his example. Travis, 'tis said, rather than fall into the hands of the enemy, stabbed himself. Our spies have been driven back from within 12 miles of Bexar. They heard none of the previously concerted signals, which were to be given by our friends: all was silent, as they report. I will send two spies in a few minutes to view Bexar, and they will report in 3 days. Colonel Fannin should have relieved our Brave men in the Alamo. He had 430 men with artillery under his command, and had taken up the line of march with a full knowledge of the situ- ation of those in the Alamo, and owing to the breaking down of a waggon abandoned the march, returned to Goliad and left our Spartans to their fate! We are now compelled to take post on the east side of the Guadeloupe, and make battle if the enemy should press upon us. I am informed that Fannin has upward of 700 men now under his commands. I have ordered Goliad to be blown up and if possible, prevent all future murders where our men have no alter- native but to starve in forts, or remain inactive, and useless to the defence of the country. With our force we cannot fight the enemy ten to one, in their own country where they have every advantage. It is reported and I do believe that (Labarb) or Ybarbo, who has lately been at San Antonio de Bexar, has gone on to incite the Indians in the neighborhood of Nacogdoches. Keep an eye to this, but be prudent. Arouse our friends in the States. I would have sent the express as soon as I heard the news from the Alamo, but was assured that two spies [are] now out, but hourly expected in, on whose statement I might place unbounded reliance as to the fate of the Alamo. The conduct of the General Council and that of their " Agent," has already cost us the lives of more than 230 brave men. Had it not been for that we should have kept all the advantages which we had gained. We must repair our losses by prudence and valour. I have no doubt as to the issue of the contest. I am in good spirits ! tho not ardent!!! Johnson & Grants parties are cut off. The enemy at the Alamo are said to have lossed 521 killed and an equal number wounded. Murdered Americans, 187.... Three negroes and Mrs Dickinson were all in the fort who escaped Massacre as reported! Several Mexicans in the fort were also murdered, and all killed in the fort were burned: The Mex·icans killed in
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