WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON; 1836
377
Mexia on the Tampico expedition. After that effort to aid the Texans had become a fiasco, he came to Texas and joined the Texas Army at San . Antonio, a short time before the surrender of General Cos. On March 12, 1836, he was commissioned captain of the Independence, one of the newly- acquired boats of the infant Texas Navy. This appointment was con- firmed by the Senate of the First Congress on December 1, 1836, and it gave him the rank of senior captain of the Texas Navy; Burnet, with the consent of his cabinet, conferred upon him the title of commodore (Tcle- gmph ancl Texas Register, October 11, 1836). Immediately upon becoming captain of the Iru:lcpenclcnce, Hawkins took his ship on its first cruise, ::.couring the Mexican coast, and capturing · many small craft and all materials that could be used to injure Texas. Notwithstanding the fact that the Mexicans called him "the Scourge," Hawkins always respected private property. He died of smallpox while on a trip to New Orleans in 1837. See Sonthwestern Historical Quarterly, XII, 265-267. Yoakum, History of Texas, II, 37. E. W. Winkler (ed.), Secret Jo1m1als of the Senate, Re1mblic of Texas, 27.
To JAMES WALKER F ANNIN 1
Army Orclers
Head Quarters Colorado River March 17th, 1836.
To Colonel J. W. Fannin 2 Colonel J. W. Fannin, Jr., will take a position on the bay of Lavaca, or any other point best calculated for the protection of the provisions, ammunition, &c., at Coxe's point and Dimit's landing. The army now near Burnham's, on the Colorado, will remain for a time, and, according to circumstances, fall down the river. Colonel Fannin will therefore hold himself in constant readiness to join the commander-in-chief. The Redlanders are already in motion, and will join the army as soon as possible. Regulars and volunteers are also on the march to headquarters. If Colonel Fannin can not maintain his position, he will fall back on the main army- the object of the movement now ordered being only for the protection of the arms, ammunition, &c. The present force on the Colorado numbers four hundred and twenty effective men. Should a permanent fortification be necessary on the bay of Lavaca, or ether point, for the protection of the stores, &c., Colonel Fannin will judge of the expediency ( with the com- mand under him) of erecting them. The commanding general, not having detailed report of his force, can only order that such measures shall be taken as will be best for the good of the service and the protection of the country.
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