Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-03-02

eau Conception about mile and a hall
from town. Bowie, thinking it such O
safe position, failed to return to camp
according to orders, but sent McComt
pack, who arrived in camp about Il
O'Clock TO inform the general of his in
tention to remain. Gen. Austin was so
concerned about the situation of the de-
tachment he did not sleep that night
and ordered his officers to have all in
readiness to march at daylight. He
feared Bowie, Fannin and Briscol would
be attacked, so wished TO be on hand as
early as possible to relieve them. At
daylight of the 28th Austin was informed
that two companies from Eastern Texas
one of which was part of the camp guard +,
had left. This delayed the march of the
army somewhat, but on reaching Bowie g
camp it was found that Bowie and his
men bad whipped the Mexicans in an at
tack made by the latter that morning
(2Sth of October). and they could see
the Mexicans retreating toward San An
tonic, mile and half off. Gen Aus
tin 5 idea was to march on into San An
tonic but Bowie, Fannin and Briscol pro-
tested against it. In the fight that morn
ing they had killed thirty or forty and
number were wounded and some left
on the field. One Texan, Richard An
dreWs, was killed and some wounded.
Gen. Cos sent out priest with request
to Gen. Austin that he give permission
for the dead and wounded to be carried
into San Antonio. Gen. Austin acceded
TO the request and they were removed.
SO far as L know Richard Andrews was
the first man killed IN the war for Texan
independence. He was a resident of
what is now called FaYette county. On
November the army marched up around
San Antonio and camped on one of the
head branches of the San Antonio river.
regular siege of the town then COM
menced, Captain Travis commanding
spy company captured, on the Medina
river, three hundred head of horses
which were being taken into San Antonio
for Gen. Cos s troops. Gen. Austin had
them sent to the Colorado river bottom.
The siege continued and on the 23d an
express arrived from San Felipe inform
ing Gen. Austin that he vas one of the
three delegates elected by the council TO
go to the United States to ask aid am
munltion, arms, money and men, as it
was evident that a war with Mexico was
inevitable. The council, composed of
representative men of character and
ability, was empowered with legislative
authority, and as advisor Of the gov
ernor, had the power to create and fill
such offices as they thought proper.
They had also, the power, with the gov
ernor, to organize, reduce, or increase
the regular forces as they deemed the
emergencies of the country required.
They also had authority on charges and
specifications made against any officer of
the provisional government for malfeas-
or TY1iSnnn6,,ok IN
tial trial shall be granted to be conducted
by the general council, - and if cause
sufficient be shown he shall be dismissed
from Offlce by the governor. The lieu
was president of the
council, and empowered to act in the
place of the governor in case of absence,
inability or death, during which time
a president pro tenn. shall perform
the duties of acknowledgement. Lieu
tenant Governor Robinson was acting
governor. The other two dele
gates to the United States were
Branch T. Archer and William H.
Wharton. November a Gen. Austin
ordered an election for commander in
chief, and Gen. Edward Burleson was
elected. November 26 my uncle and L
started with two servants to San Felipe,
and arrived there on the 29th; Gen. Aus
tin reported to the governor and council
of the provincial government what had
been done at San Antonio, and what was
being done. Henry Smith, governor,
James w. Robinson, lieutenant COVER
nor, and council Of one member from
each municipality constituted the said
government. In the latter part of De-
cember the three commissioners sailed
from the mouth of BrazOs to New Or
leans on their mission. In January Gov
ernor Robinson appointed me his private
secretary. Previous to the adjournment
of the consultation they had ordered an
election for convention to meet on the lst
l of March, 1886, and the middle of Feb
ruary Lieutenant-Gov Robinson and
the council went from San Felipe to
Washington on the BraZos, to meet the
l was with them, and was
present when the convention organized
March l, 1886. March 2 George Chill
ders, who was chairman Of the commit
tee, appointed to draw up declaration
of independence, made his report. 1
was present when the report was read
and adopted. His declaration may be
seen in all the histories of Texas. Sam
Houston, delegate from Refugio, was
elected by the convention commander in
chief of the army, and March went to
Gonzales to join the army and assume
ITO be concluded March g.