The First Republic of Te%a.s
107
Arredondo arrived in Laredo Elizondo had almost seven hundred men, well equipped, armed, and fully provisioned. He was ordered to proceed with his men to the Rio Frio to establish an observation post, but warned not to go beyond." Remembering his was the leading role in the successful surprise at Baj.in, he determined to plunge after new laurels. He aspired to play the lead again and ring down the curtain on the last act of the first republic of Texas. As early as April 19 he sent a proclamation to the citizens of Bexar to return loyally to their King and offered a pardon to those who submitted and rewards, each of one thousand P.esos, for the ~~d~ of Gutierrez, ~ernp~r, 0 Me"~chaca, and D~lgad~:·· To .. t~ ·Americans he offered an opportunity to withdraw unmolested to Louisiana." The order to establish an advance post gave him the opportunity to move closer towards his desired goal. He left Laredo for the Rio Frio on June 12. Six days later he reported to Arredondo that he was en- camped on the outskirts of Bexar. He attempted to justify his failure to follow orders by asserting that deserters from San Antonio had informed him the discouragement of the Insurgents was great and that almost all the filibusters had departed for Louisiana. He maintained that he could not do otherwise than strike the enemy a smashing blow when their morale was at its lowest. He proudly added that he had surprised two advance posts near the city, killed three American scouts, taken some 15 or 20 prisoners, obtained more than 300 head of cattle, and 2,300 sheep and goats. His anny, moreover, had increased by more than 300 soldiers and citizens who had fled from the besieged city. To avoid unnecessary blood- shed, he had sent an offer of pardon to all except 12 specified leaders, provided the city would surrender within 36 hours. He was awaiting their answer to his terms, but was also completing preparations to attack in the event of their rejection. 50 Understandably, Arredondo flew into a rage when he read the report. If Elizondo failed, the defeat would undo the work of months; if he succeeded, his victory would rob Arredondo of the glory that should rightly be his. The fears of Arredondo were unfounded. Conditions in San Antonio were as bad as Elizondo had claimed. On June 14 the alarming news that "Arredondo to Calleja, Laredo, June 7, June 25, 1813; Arredondo to Elizondo, July 28, 1813, Hist<:>ria, O,;eraciones de Guerra, IV, 31-32, 42, 77·79, A.G. M. "Proclamation of Elizondo, Quartel General de Rio Grande, April 19, 1813, Nacogdocl,es Arcl,ives, XVII, 118-119. 50 Elizondo to Arredondo, Campo de Batalla al frente de Bexar, April 18, 1813, Hisl<:>ria, O,;eracio,us de Guerra, A"edondo, IV, 81, A. G. It/.
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