Goliad 13th Oct. 8 O'Clock P. M. 1835
Sir
I have the honor to ackuowledge the receipt of your Two
Communications under date of the 11th and 12th Inst.
The Men who Compose the Bat[talion at] this place, were extremely
unwilling to [remain here] and it was with difficulty on yesterday [they]
were prevailed upon to Stay until [orders] could be received from head
quarters.
The orders this day recvd were rea[d] and they have concented to stay
with [but few] Exceptions, to defend this place to the [last] extremety
It will be imposseble for Me to Comply with your Orders Contained in
yours of the 12th Inst, farther than that of defending the place because we
have but a verry few more Men than you order to remain and no
Munitions of war which could possibly be Spared and besides if I were to
dispatch the Surplus twenty, I entertain great fears that Many others would
leave and we Should immediately be left with a trifling force.
That you May be fully informed of the true State of the arsonal when
this place was Captured, that you May see My inability to furnish aid
therefrom, I inclose you a correct Statement made by our quarter Master
and Commissary, every Specis of arms which could be made usefull and
Efficient have been put in requisition, for the purpose of arming our [own]
Men and Some Mexicans of this place . . . [com]manded by Padilla
and Placidore the Alcalde of Guadaloupe Victoria who have Volunteered
in our cause.
The Mexican Volunteers are not included [in] our Numbers to Make
the hundred and Twenty [men], because we know Not as yet how far they
may be relied upon in as Much as Some of them are the prisoners who were
captured here, who have been released at the request and by the desire and
on the pledge of Padilla—It Seems to be the General opinion among the
intelegent Mexicans here that Coss will Make a desparate Effort to regain
this place. How far this is correct I am Not prepared to Say. They
believe this because they Conceive it to be the Connecting link between
Bexar and all the Coast.
Supplies of provisions are Scarce but every exertion will be Made to
Secure a Sufficient quantity in order to enable us to Stand a Siege
Annexed to the Statement of arms etc you will find a Statement of Men
and arms at Bexar as taken from public documents, here and suppose by
other testimony which is Conceived to be entitled to Credit, you will
discover from that Statement that the Number is Much greater than was
anticipated by any of us though the last 500 Named are admitted to be
Exteremly inefficient
In my communication of yesterday you were informed that Guadaloupe
and this place had voluntarily declared in favour of the Constitution of 24
and against Centralism,
The walls of the fortification here is in a perfect recked State and
requires considerable repairs to Make it in any way tenable but we Shall use
all posseble exertion to put it in a cituation for defence and Should they
Make an attact upon us we will defend it to the last Moment but I presume
they will attempt to Starve us out for with a large force they can cut off
our Supplies of water and provisions and you of course will be apprised
of their Movements and will act accordingly
Benj. F. Smith Col. Comd,
Genl. S. F. Austin
[Addressed:] Genl. S. F. Austin Where ever he may be By Express
[Report of Arms Captured at Goliad]
The following report and list of armament is returned by the
undersigned in conformity with an order of the Col. Commanding Which is as
follows
6 Saddles—Serviceable, with trifling repairs
1 Barrell Musket cartridges servesable for close [quarters]
100—41b Shot—
44 Lance Heads
From 100 to 200 Bayonett
these two articles will be very usefull in case of a charge
200 Stands of Muskets and Carbins—Some of which Might be made
Serviceable by small repairs but the greater part are broken and
entirely useless.
A lot, old broken Cartridge Boxes and Rusty camp kittles all unfit for
use old Iron etc. etc.
Ira Ingram Comg.
Goliad Oct. 13th 1835
A true Coppy) :
Statement of arms and munitions of war at Bexar
500 Muskets
300 Carabines
800
2 41b Ps. Artilery with 288 Ball Catridges 192 Grape
ammunition for these Same complete
400 Cavilry
150 Infantry
500 do Recruits and others
1050