Head Quarters, Mission of
Conception, 1/2 Miles From
Bejar, October 28, 1835.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONVENTION OF TEXAS.
Sir,—I have the honor to inform you that the enemy, to the number of
about three hundred cavalry and one hundred infantry, as nearly as can
be ascertained, with two pieces of cannon, at sunrise this morning, attacked
a detachment from the army, consisting of ninety men, under the command
of colonel Bowie and captain Fanning, who were posted at this place; and
after a warm engagement of three hours, were repulsed with the loss of one
piece of cannon, (a six-pounder) and about thirty muskets, sixteen men
left dead on the field, and, from the best accounts, nearly as many more
were carried off. The number of wounded we can only conjecture, with
the exception of two that remained on the field. It is with great regret I
have to say, that on our side we had one man, Richard Andrews, of Mina,
dangerously wounded—I fear mortally. But we have sustained no other
loss, except a few horses.
The main body of the army came up, in about thirty minutes after the
enemy had retired. A more circumstantial account of this action, which
has resulted so gloriously to the federal army, and more particularly to the
individuals immediately engaged, will be given as soon as it can be
made out.
The overwhelming superiority of force, and the brilliancy of the victory
gained over them, speak for themselves in terms too expressive to require
from me any further eulogy
I have just learned that the cavalry of the enemy was commanded by
colonel Ugartechea, and the infantry by colonel Mariano Cos, brother of
the general, Martin Perfecto.
S. F. Austin