I t I
I. I
Our Catliolic Heritage in T ezas
I
I
On May 21, 1762, in answer to the letter of the viceroy asking fo, additional information about the English shipwreck and recommending extreme caution and preparedness against a surprise, Captain Ramirez de la Piscina again assured the viceroy that the garrison of La Bahia was kept at full strength and that the men were well supplied with arms. He frankly admitted, however, that in case of an English attack the garrison was insufficient to defend the fort. The carriages of the cannon were not in the best condition and there were no artillerymen in the fort to man them. The pieces were never used against the Indians and were fired ·only on occasions, such as when the bishop visited the presidio, or when the governor came. It would be well, therefore, to send a few skilled artillerymen to instruct the soldiers of the garrison in the use of the cannon. These men could later train those of Los Adaes and Orcoquisac (San Agustin de Ahumada), who were equally ignorant in the use of artillery. Such training would be most important in case of war with the English. In order to keep a close watch on the movement of English vessels on the coast, he explained he would ask the cooperation of the Cujane, Guapite, and Karankawa Indians of the Mission of Rosario. These Indians were generally allowed to go to the seashore and spend the months of June, July, and August on the bay, fishing and swimming. They knew that the English were t}Je enemies of the Spaniards and could be depended upon to report their presence or activity. Confidentially Captain Ramirez de la Piscina informed the viceroy that little or no aid could be expected at La Bahia from the other presidios of Texas in case of an attack by foreigners. San Antonio had such a small garrision that it could not possibly send any reenforcements, and the Presidio of San Agustin de Ahumada at Orcoquisac was a mere ranch of the governor, where a handful of soldiers were kept who resembled cowboys more than soldiers, their chief duty being to take care of the governor's cattle. They had no arms to speak of, a scanty food supply, and only a few horses. As to Los Adaes, it could not be expected to send any of its men to the rescue of La Bahia in case of an English attack, because it would have to guard against the same thing. Furthermore, in his opinion, Los Adaes was even more exposed to danger from a foreign invasion than La Bahia. Since the English were at war with the French, should they take New Orleans, the captain wisely pointed out, they could easily ascend the river to Natchitoches and from there surprise Los Adaes. But he reassured the viceroy that with such men as he had and with such
i II
Powered by FlippingBook