Tl,e Struggle for Independence, r835-r836
the Revolution. News that Cos was on his way to San Antonio with reinforcements destroyed whatever hopes of a peaceful solution still lingered. On September 19, the Committee followed its call for the convention with a circular declaring: "War is our only recourse. There is no other remedy. We must defend our rights, ourselves, and our country by force of arms." 14 The Beginning of tlie Revolution. There could be no turning back. Events moved rapidly. Soon afterwards a small Mexican troop of cavalry appeared before Alcalde Andrew Ponton in Gonzalez with a demand from Colonel Ugartechea for the delivery of a six-pounder, loaned to Empresario Green DeWitt for defense against the Indians. To gain time, Ponton entertained the Mexican troops while he dispatched runners for help. Suspicious of the delay, the commander in San Antonio sent an additional force of 180 men with peremptory orders for the immediate delivery of the cannon. By this time Texans had gathered under Colonel J. H. Moore in sufficient number to attack. The Texans crossed the Guadalupe on October 2, 1835, surprised the Mexican troops and sent them fleeing back to San Antonio without the cannon. The first shot of the Revolution had been fired. Volunteers flocked to Gonzalez. They clamored to march immediately on San Antonio. "The Army of the People," as they styled themselves, soon elected Austin commander in chief. He resigned the chairmanship of the Committee, and assumed leadership of the armed forces, which were little more than a mob, for they lacked both organization and discipline. After impressing upon them the necessity of absolute obedience and proper subordination, he organized them, about 300, into a regiment, appointed staff officers, and gave orders for advancing immediately on San Antonio. 15 En route, the force increased to approximately 600, becoming propor- tionately less effective as an organization. His men were undrilled, lacked discipline, and were only meagerly supplied. More serious was the withdrawal of large numbers whenever the notion struck them. During the last week of October about 1 50 men left for home to get their winter clothing. "This force," Austin informed the Consultation, "it is known to all, is but undisciplined militia and in some respects of very discordant materials. The officers, from the commander in chief down, are inexperienced in military service." 14 Barker, Life of Ste-plzen F. Ausli11, 478-482. 15 "Austin's Order Book for the campaign of 1835," Tlze Quart,r/y, Xl, 1-56.
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