Houston v1

WRITINGS. OF SAM HOUSTON, 183S

312

Antonio, and on the frontiers, . until the army can be filled, so as to open the campaign at the earliest day possible.... I hope San Antonio is alrea,dy taken. If so volunteers will be needed to keep it; as also to strengthen La Bahia. It will be well for the men to bring clothing with them. It was also reported that provisions were not plenty in camp. This may have been true; but there are large quantities in the vicinity of San Antonio, of which our army has the control. Sam Houston 1 H. Yoakum, Histo,11 of Texas, II, 448. To HENRY SMITH Head Quarters Texas San Felipe de Austin Dec 6, 1835. To His Excellency Henry Smith 2 Governor of Texas: Sir, I have the honor respectfully to call your attention to the Subject of a speedy organization of the regular army. The organic Law has provided for the immediate raising of such force, and the General Council has said what corps shall compose the same. It is required of me to raise the Regular Army with- out delay. I feel the responsibility of my Situation at a time when every effort should be exerted and means used for the ac- complishment of an object so necessary to the defence & hap- piness and I apprehend, the Salvation of Texas. I must remain under the conviction, however, that all essential power is with- held from me to meet the requisitions of the Organic Law. It is true the company of officers of the Infantry Regiment have been appointed by the Hon. General Coui1cil, but the field officers proper to command and superintend the several recruit- ing Rendezvous have not been appointed. The Regiment of Ar- tillery so necessary for the defence of our sea coast, as well as for field service, has no basis on which it can be raised; no offi- cers are appointed, and it will be impossible for me ever to enlist the rank and file of the Army until the Officers are appointed. An army never has been raised for Regular service until the Officer~ had all been appointed. The regiments of the U. States army were all completely officered before one man was enlisted in the ranks. It can not be objected, that merit will be forestalled by filling the Several corps, at this time. It must have been con- templated by the framers of the organic Law that the army would be immediately organized out of the materials -then in Texas.