1-63
PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
self ready to join him say by the 4th. or 5th. April, unless previously advised to the contrary-with the company under your command. . In reading this I felt embarrassed as to whether it was the inten- tion of the General, that I should join him by the 5th. April withO'Ut further orders, or whether I should only hold myself in readiness to join him, and wa.it for further orders- Undecided as to the true meaning of the order, I had determined to move for Camargo, for the purpose of joining the Main Army, by the time specified, and wrote to that effect to Col Curtis who commanded at Camargo at the time. Col Curtis before forwarding your letter to me, had opened and read it; and in a communication to me he seemed to be impressed with the propriety of my moving, without further notice from Head Quarters- Before I could get off from Laredo, however, the news arrived of the splendid result of the Battle. This glorious achievement, may prob- ably give rise to new plans, and the campaign may be entirely altered by it- These considerations together with the uncertainty I feel as to the construction of the order, have determined me to remain sta- tionary until I could hear from Head Quarters again - If it is the wish of the General that I should join the main body of the army-I shall hold myself in readiness to march at a moments warning. Should he, however, desire me to remain here, I would re- spectfully renew my request to be allowed to augment my force. to at least three full companies, with such authority for t.he protection of the frontier, and the preservation of peace and order, as he may choose to invest me- The good which might be made to result from such a command, would, in my opinion overbalance the attendant expence --* The power confided to me of dismissing in a summary manner- 11nsuitable members of my command, has had a most happy effect. I have been compelled to ex.ercise it in a few cases, but in every instance under such circumstances ai1 to leave no doubts on the minds of any, as to the propriety and justice of the course. Even those dismissed have themselves felt the necessity of the act. By means of this power I have been able to keep my command not only in strict subordination, but have rendered them acceptable to the population of this place- and made them as particular in their private and social relations, as they are prompt and punctual in their military duties-Should I be permitt~d to rai8c the force named above, I would like to be investeil with the i:;ame 1rnthority of <lismiRRing snmarrily for improper condnct. With regard to the term of enlistment, it would seem to me that "12 months men" would answer 88 well here, as those for an indefinite period. The vacancie~ occurring could without difficulty be filled, 1nd the command be thus kept uo-Tf however enlistments for a limited period are no longer allowPd, T think a force can with a little exertion he raised "for the War" Since writinf:! the enclo,;ed I received a let- ter from Maior Beall Pav MaRter U.S.A. at MabimoraR, with re~ard to the pav of my command. He saYS he will immediately adopt ~{Ifie measure for meeting our wants in that respect- I have the honor to be your obedient servant- MirRheau B. Lamar. CRpt. Commanding at Lnredo.
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