The sun., 1901-04-28

AUSTIN. Tex, April ls There has lons
been vague tradition which was not torns
| out bv documentary evidence that the men
who defended the Alamo nth memorable
onslaught In 1896 which resulted in all Of them
being killed by Santa Ana's Inen, were d.
yided and at lOggprheads among themselves
for several days prior TO the final fight Ths
first proof OF this fact has Just been found
here 1t IL in the shape Of n musty manu-.
scrpt discovered In the archives OF the Rs-
public OF Texas. stored in the vault OF ths
Seer retary OF states ONCE. The doCument
makes charges against Col James Bowie, who
has long been looked upon rs one Of the
heroes Of the Alamo 1t is written by j j.
Baugh. Adjutant OF the post OF Bejar. and
its date is only ten DAYS before Col Travis
sent out his first message announcing that
the advance division Of santa Ana's army
had arrived. and calling for reenf or cem ments
IL Is not indicated on the document to whom
AdJutant Baugh's report Is addressed. 10
reads as follows:
GARRISON or BEAR, Feb Is. 1888.
SIR: Lieut. Col J {. Neill, being suddenly
called home in consequence OF the illness
Of some Of his family, requested Col Travis,
AS senior officer, TO assume command OF the
post during his absence. Col. Travis Iu-
lOTiltu LIe NOluultfTs III lne GARRISON tlIAt
they could II not satisfied with him a. com
mtpdant pro TEN, elect one out Of Their
own body. rhs volunteers, being under Q
wrong Impression and ever ready TO eaten
at any popular excitement, objected to Col.
Travis on he grounds of hs being Regular
Ohcer, and they Immediately named Col,
Bowie as their choice,
'An election was consequently ordered nv
Col Travis and Bowie Was elected without
opposition None but the Volunteers voted.
and In fact not all Of them The conse-
alence was split In the garrison, Col.
Travis. as a matter OF course. would not
submit 10 the control of Bowie, and he BOWEL
gvHiling himself Of his popularity among tho
Nountcers. seemed anxious 10 arrogats
20 himself the entire control
Il hings passed in this way Yesterday and
to-day until a. length they have become
lntolerGhe. Bowie, rs Comnandant OF III"
Volunteers, has gone 50 far a. to stop cart"
laden with the goods Of private families
removing into the country lie has ordered
the prison door 10 be opened for the release
of \ Mexican convicted Of theft. who had
which we're Col Travis and Col Bowie him
self
He has also ordered and effected tho
release Of d. II. Barre a private in the Reg
ular army, attached 10 the Legion Of calvary,
who had been tried by court martial and
found guilty Of nutny. and actually liberated
him from prison with corporais guard.
with loud huZ/as
and that which sets aside all law civil and
military, il that which follows;
' 'NUmninddnCN or Belhr, Fen 18Th, 1874
Captains OF companies: You are hereby re-
uured TO release such prisoners as may he
under your direction. Tor labor or other
wi." James Bowie, Commandant Of the
Oluntepr Forces Of Reinr
Il nder this order the Nexicans who had
been convicted by the civil authorities aud
the soldiers convicted by court martial, and
some OF whom had been placed in the Alamo,
on ~" public works were relnA sed
"Antonlo ruentes. Who h9d been released
under the protection Of Capt. Baker. ~
Bowir's Volunteers. and demanded his
clothes which were in the Calaboose. stating
that Col Bowie had set him at liberty. where
upon Judge Scguin ordered him to be re-
done. As soon "a this fact was reported 20
Bowie he Went In a furious manner and
demanded 81 the Judge the release Of tho
prisoner which the Judge refused. saving
that he would give mp his oflce and lei the
military appoint Judge Bowie imne-
diately scnt TO the Alamo for troops, and they
pnraded In the square. under arms, In a u-
multous and disorderly manner. Bowie HIM
self and many Of his men being drunk, which
has been the case ever since he has been In
command
"Col Travis protested against the proceed
ings 10 the Judge and others, and. as friend
to good order and anxious TO escape the stig-
Q last resort, drawn of bis troops 10 ths
Medina, where he believes he may be "a use-
ful a. In the garrison, at all events. save HIM
self from Implication in this dlssracNful
business
Il have vsntured TO give YOU hasty sketch
Others who have had no hand In mi. trans
action. Your obedient servant
"Adiutant Of the Post Of BE ar