Houston v1

WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1836

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to head Quarters, for duty in a shorter time should the business upon which he goes be completed By order of Sam Houston Commander in Chief John A. Wharton Adjutant General 1 Juclge Ben Franklin Papers, The University of Texas Library.

To HENRY W. lu.&NEs 1

Army Order. Captain Karnes/ with his detachment of command, will remain on the east side of the bayou if he can in safety while the army will pass below, and he will then unite with the main army so as to cooperate. Great caution must be observed to conceal our movements from the enemy. Sam Houston Commander in Chief Army at Harrisburg, 19th April, 1836.

1 Smn Houston Letters, Archives of the Texas State Library. 2 Henry Karnes. See Houston's Army Orders, April 11, 1836.

To HENRY RAGUET 1 Camp at Harrisburg, April 19, 1836.

Sir: This morning we are in preparation to meet Sanb Anna. It is the only chance of saving Texas. From time to time I have looked for reinforcements in vain. The Convention adjourning to Harrisburg struck panic throughout the country. Texas could have started at least four thousand men. We will only have about seven hundred to march with, besides the camp- guard. We go to conquer. It is wisdom growing out of neces- sity to meet the enemy now; every consideration enforces it. No previous occasion would justify it. The troops are in fine spirits, and now is the time for action. Adjutant General Wharton/ Inspector General Hockley,s Aide- de-Camp Horton,4 Aides-de-Camp W. H. Patton,5 Collinsworth ; 0 Volunteer Aides Perry,7 Perry; Major Cook,8 assistant inspector- general will be with me. We shall use our best efforts to fight the enemy to such ad- vantages as will insure victory, though the odds are greatly against us. I leave the result in the hands of a wise God, and rely upon his providence.