Fort Goliad, Oct. 30th. 1835
To Gen. Stephen F. Austin,
Com. in Ch. of the Army of the People,
Dear Sir,
Since the date of my last (28th inst.) by hands of Maj. Geo. Southerland,
who left this on that day, in charge of the teams, dispatched to Head
Quarters with provisions, events have transpired here which call for a free and
full exposition.
On the receipt of yours of the 23d ins. prohibiting any volunteer the
option of leaving this fortress without permission from the Commandt.,
under the penalty of being reported and published a deserter, it was
publickly read on parade to the men under my command. On some, it had a
salutary effect, and produced a change of purpose, highly favoarable to the
success of the campaign. On others, it either had no effect, or, if any, a
very different one, from that intended.
Yesterday, three officers, Dr. Erwin, Surgeon; Lieut. David M.
Collinsworh, and Lieut. A. H. Jones; and three privates, Milton Hicks, Edward B.
Wooten and-Atkinson, mustered and left this fortress, not only without
permission, but in open contempt of the general order above quoted, and
took up the line of march for Head Quarters, near Bexar. This occurred
about 4 o. c. in the afternoon; and a little after 9 in the evening, five of the
party returned, and four, Lieut. Jones, Woottin, Hicks, and Atkinson, came
into the fortress, reporting the loss of one of their number—Lieut.
Collinsworth. Not considering themselves under my command, no official report
was made to me. Their verbal statement, however, is, that they were fired
on by a party, lying in ambush by the road side—that the fire was instantly
succeeded by a shrill yell, at which their horses were greatly alarmed—one
of the pary was thrown from his horse—one lost his gun and all the others,
one excepted, were carried some distance before they could stop their
horses. They further state, that, at the crack of the enemy's guns, Lieut.
Collinsworth was seen to fall from his horse and heard to utter the
exclamation—"0 Lord"—Jones and Wootten say they were in favor of
returning to the scene of action, but as the others were unwilling to do so, they
all returned, without firing a gun, and without making an effort to relieve,
or bring off their wounded companion. He was therefore left on the
ground, to the mercy of the enemy.
Early this morning, the five survivors returned with 8 or 10 others, to
the scene of action, or rather, of attack and flight, for the purpose of
reconnoitering and bringing in the dead.
It would be doing much injustice to confound these volunteers,
indiscriminately together. That Doctor Irwin originated, and headed the
mutiny; and drew the others, either directly, or indirectly into it, proof
abundant, and of the most respectable character, can be furnished from
here, on the shortest notice. The conduct of this man too, on former
occasions, has been highly improper, unmilitary, and very rash.
Oct. 31st. 1 o.c. P.M.—Since writing the above, the party that left
yesterday morning, have returned with the dead body of the deceased, David,
M. Collinsworth—He was shot in the neck, scalped, and mangled in the
face with a tomahawk or hatchet.
The Deceased was buried to day, with the honors of War. From the
statements of those who returned with the Body, there can be little doubt
that the assailants were savages. The number quoted, varies from 6 to
10—The assailants did not even wait to divest the body of its apparel—
The cap only, was missing. His gun was probably taken, as it was not
found. His belt, shot-pouch, etc. etc. and pocket money $7.37 1/2 were
found on him, and returned. These facts furnish their own comment, and
supersede the necessity for any remarks by me.
A recruit of 20 men arived here last evening from Bay Prairie. An
Iron, Six pound Cannon, with a small supply of ammunition, from
Matagorda, has been forwarded by order of the Committee there, in compliance
with my request, and is now at Guardeloupe Victoria.
I have ordered a detachment of 35 men, under the Command of Adjutant
Ira Westover, to proceed forthwith to Le Panteclan, the garrison on the
Nueces, reduce and burn it. The arms and Ammunition if possible, will be
brought off; and, if practicable, the public horses taken, and driven to this
place.
The citizens of this vicinity have furnished 20 horses for this campaign
—and those of Guardeloupe Victoria, have made a tender of thirty head of
Beeves for the public service.
I am informed, that, Capt. Savriago has left S. Felipe, on parole, granted
by Zavalla and others—and that he has gone to Matamoros; but I have
ordered the making of every officer at the Nueces prisoner, if possible. I
am informed, that, a party of 25 or 30 Comanches have been seen near
Baing's(?) in the neighborhood of Guardeloupe Victoria.
On the reduction of Bexar, the earliest instructions concerning the
disposition of the Arms and ammunition at this place, are particularly
solicited. Your instructions too, relative to the property left in the houses
from which the flour, sugar, coffee, candles, soap, liquors, etc. etc. have
been taken, the title to which is contested, or is supposed by some to belong
to private individuals—by others, to the nation.—are earnestly solicited.
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