PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR
31
time of the retreat from the Colorado as mentioned above, was about 1360; and the men to a man ready and eager for battle." - Smith's report did not include Shermans command. Col. Jas. Tatton, Kentucky, Lousville, states that the force was 1800 entire. - Houston issued an order to all volunteers east of the Trinity to halt and fortify. Genl. Quitman who was on his way to the army met this order, and has long had a copy of it - He stated to Felix Hous ton many years ago that he had a copy of said order, and the same to me more recently in New Orleans, when occupied there with Cuban affairs - Why this order has never been made public is not known - The Copy in Genl. Quitman's hands, once destroyed or totally with held from the public will enable Houston to deny that he ever issued such, - a falsification of history which Genl. Quitman ought not to permit. -
[Endorsed] Strength of the army on the Colorado.
No. 2-199
[1855? M. B. LAMAR, RICHMOND? TEXAS] "MEMORANDUM" UPON HOUSTON'S CONDUCT OF THE SAN JACINTO CAMPAIGN. 99 '
Memorandums
On hearing of the fall of the Alamo, Genl. Houston retreated from Gonzales burning the town &c He fled under a panic leaving the families in the rear. He had, himself not yet been in a single place of personal danger, nor fired a gun in the cause. His first move ment of a military character, was this retreat. Had he went to the rescue of the Alamo, concentrated the divided forces in the west and; acted promptly as the Comander in Chief, instead of wasting all this: time, drunk in the grog shops at Washington, Travis & Faning had: not fallen. He fled in the confusion to peach creek, 16 miles from Gonzales. Paused here briefly; moved to Beason's crossing on the. Colorado (Atascocite) halted on the eastern bank. Sesma arrived on? the west Bank of the Colorado, soon after Houston had crossed it.. Sesma encamped about 2 miles from the river; the river was ford able; he placed no guard at the crossing having no apprehension that the retreating Texans, would return to meet him. The two armies remained in this position for several days, without any hostile demon strations. The Texan spies and scouts reconoiterd the enemy; ascer tained their numbers; and the whole army became impatient for the Genl. to attack the Enemy. He promised to do so. Sherman volun teered to cross the river and give Sesma battle with his own Regi ment. Houston would not allow him to do it. Houston again prom-
'"A. D. F.
Powered by FlippingBook