WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1835
325
Mier Expedition, and those who were killed with Dawson would .have a fitting monument to their memory." The most noteworthy characteristic of the man seems to be his "flowery garrulousness." See W. S. Red, Texas Colonists and Religion, 83. Homer Thrall, The History of Methodism in Texas, 30-32. Telegraph and Texas Registe1·, March 21, 1837. The True Issue, August 27, 1859. Leonie R. Weyand and Houston Wade, An Ea1·ly History of Fayette County (1936), 42-357 passim.
To HENRY SMITH 1 Head Quarters, Washington, December 26, 1835.
To Your Excellency: I have the honor of reporting my arrival here on yesterday, and my finding here Captain .Wyatt\ with a company or detach- ment, consisting of less than fifty-six men from Huntsville, Ala- bama; also Captain King3, with about eighteen men from Padu- cah, Kentncky, with rifles-- Captain Wyatt having fifty first- rate United States muskets. Under the restrictions of the law, I find myself under the most painful difficulties in accepting the services of these volunteers. I will do the best I can for the country, while I render justice to them. I found in the ranks great discontent, and a disposition to abandon our cause. Today I have spent much time in explaining all matters to them. I hope they are satisfied-- Today there has been an arrival in six days from San Antonio, which reports all quiet, but no discipline. Ere this I hope my order has reached them, and will have a proper effect with the command. It is said that Bowie will be here tomorrow. Should he come to San Felipe, I hope your excellency will be kind enough to order him to this point, as I can furnish him with a copy of the order which I forwarded to him by your excellency's order. Sam Houston, Commander, &c To His Excellency Governor Henry Smith. 1 Anny Papers, Texas State Library. Yoakum, History of Texas, II, 455. :captain Peyton S. Wyatt was a native of Huntsville, Alabama. In the fall of 1836 he raised a company of his friends from Huntsville and environs, with a few men from Kentucky, came to Texas and joined the Texas army. On January 12, 1836, he was sent with his company to relieve Captain Philip Dimmit at Goliad [Brown, I, 503). There he remained and became a part of the force under Colonel Fannin. Joined to Captain Duval's company, this company was under Wyatt former part of the Lafayette battalion (second battalion) of the Texas army, and these men were massacred with Fannin. Captain Wyatt, however, at the time of the
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