REPUBLIC OF TEXAS - SIEGE OF BEXAR, NOV. 1, 1835

Contributed by: Joan Renfrow

************************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced 
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or 
persons.  Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must 
obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal 
representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb 
archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission 
to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.

http://www.usgwarchives.net
***********************************************************************

Letter:

Head Quarters Novemr 1st 1835 

To Col. James Bowie & Captn Fanning, 

Your communication of this morning was received and is satisfactory in every 
respect to myself & all others.
I sent in a demand today for a Surrender Genl Cos stated that his duty would not 
permit him to receive any Official Communication and of course it was returned 
unopened.  He in a Short time after Sent out Padre Garza with a flag to Say to 
me, verbally, that he had absolute orders from his Government to fortify Bexar & 
hold it at all hazards & that as a military man his Honor and duty required 
obedience to these orders, & that he would defend the place until he died, if 
hehad only ten men left with him.
This all that has passed between us. I approached on this Side to day within 
cannon shot-they fired four at us.-One shot (Ball) passed over our heads and one 
of grape fell in the lines but fortunately injured no one. 
>From every information the fortifications are much Stronger than has been 
Supposed and the difficulty of Storming of Course much greater, [line heavily 
crossed out]. The system of alarms will be Kept up as much as possible night & 
day and the place invested as closely as practicable.  For this purpose I expect 
to station the Adjutant General with a Competent force at the old mill, a Short 
distance from town.
I have no information yet of Travis. A report reached Camp this afternoon 
through a person 
from Bexar that an Express had just been received there, Stating that Savariego 
had escaped from S. Felipe & had reached the Irish on the Nueces, and in union 
with the troops at that place had attacked Goliad.  It is however only a report 
The enclosed paper is from a confidential Source. I had forgotten to mention 
that the Adjutant General made a demonstration on the other Side with a 
Detachment. 

S.F. Austin


Since the within was written I have rec'd yours of this afternoon.  The forces 
are not so unequally divided as appears at first view.  Travis is constantly out 
on some extra duty-he is now out. I expect him to night and must then send him 
to escort the cannon.  I wish to occupy the mill & another position-our 
prisoners are dayly increasing and require a strong guard. 
However as equal a division will be made as is compatible with the service-we 
have many sick.  Every thing shall be done on my part possible for the service & 
to keep up harmony our position here is far from being a strong one-we have no 
bank for defense-a good position cannot be found without going too far off. I 
submit these matters to your calm judgement. It is known that head quarters are 
here and the main attack will be here if any is made. I have just heard from 
Travis he will not not be back until late tomorrow. 

S.F. Austin