Houston v1

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WRITINGS OF SAl\[ HOUSTON, 1836

365

had arrived with two millions of specie for the payment of the troops. The bodies of the Americans were burnt after the massacre. Alternate layers of wood and bodies were laid together and set on fire. Lieutenant Dickinson, who had a wife and child in the fort, after having fought with desperate courage, tied his child to his back and leaped from the top of a two story building. Both were killed by the fall. I have little doubt but that the Alamo has fallen- whether above particulars are all true may be questionable. You are therefore referred t_o the enclosed order. I am, sir, &c., Sam Houston. In corroboration of the truth of the fall of the Alamo, I have ascertained that Colonel Travis intended firing signal guns at three different periods of each day until succor should arrive. No signal guns have been heard since Sunday, though a scouting party have just returned who approached within twelve miles of it, and remained there forty-eight hours. · 1 Yoakum, History of Texas, II, 471-472. Because, in recent years, there has been considerable comment concerning the discrepancy between these two copies of apparently the same letters, it has been decided to print them both.

TO JAMES W. FANNIN 1 Headquarters, Gonzales, March 11, 1836.

To Colonel J. W. Fannin, Commanding at Goliad, Sir: You will , as soon as practicable after the receipt of this order, fall back upon Guadalupe Victoria, with your com- mand, and such artillery as can be brought with expedition. The remainder will be sunk in the river. You will take the necessary measures for the defence of Victoria, and forward one third the number of your effective men to this point, and remain in com- mand until further orders. Every facility is to be afforded to women and children who may be desirous of leaving that place. Previous to abandoning Goliad, You will take the necessary measures to blow up that fortress; and do so before leaving its vicinity. The immediate advance of the enemy may be confidently expected, as well as a rise of water. Prompt movements are therefore highly important.= Sam Houston Commander-in-Chief of the Army.