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011r Catholic Heritage i11 Texas
268
By October 24 San Antonio was in a state of siege. A small contingent under Captain George Collinsworth had surprised Goliad (La Bahia) a few days before, and captured a considerable supply of food and ammunition. But General Cos had succeeded in entering Bexar before October 10 with some 600 men, which brought the total number of troops in the old capital to 700 or 800, well-equipped with arms and artillery. Conditions among the besiegers did not improve. Dissension, petty jealousy, and increasing discontent were rife. There were no medical supplies; the available food in the San Antonio Valley was rapidly being exhausted; and the men needed clothing, shoes, and ammunition. 16 Bowie and Fannin each commanded his followers as if they constituted independent divisions. The rumor spread that Bowie was the commander. Houston, on hearing the report, wrote Bowie to congratulate him and the army on his promotion. Travis resigned in disgust, but reconsidered his action and remained. Informed by the Consultation on November 18 of his selection to go to the United States on a special mission, Austin for the third time proposed to take San Antonio by storm, but to no avail. The men elected Edward Burleson to succeed Austin, who left for San Felipe on November 24. Shortly afterwards, it was suggested that they raise the siege to go into winter quarters. Immediate was the reaction. The proposal was angrily rejected by the men, because they were unwilling to abandon the siege without a fight. Preparations for the assault were hastened, and on December 5 the general attack was made by some 300 volunteers under Ben Milam. Although the leader fell on the third day, the Texans succeeded in forcing General Cos to surrender on December I I. Under the terms of the capitulation Cos and his men were permitted to withdraw on condition that they would not again oppose the restoration of the Constitution of 1824. Elation reigned among the victors. They had not expected such quick and complete success at so cheap a price. Their losses, even considering the death of Milam, were insignificant. With one determined blow they had, as in 1832, driven every Mexican soldier out of Texas-all this in less than six months after the skirmish at Anahuac.17 The ease with which they took San Antonio accounts in part for the overconfidence which resulted in the disaster of the Alamo three months later. 16Barker, Life of Ste,plren F. Austin, 484-489. 17For a brief report of the surrender of General Cos, see Edward Burleson, "The Capture of San Antonio," in E. C. Barker, Readings in Texas History, 228-231.
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