From Burnam’s the general sent a dispatch to the government Military Committee, at Washington on the Brazos. He dictated, from his quarters, in such a loud voice, as if he were making a speech, that anybody near at hand could hear.
It pains me to the heart [he said] that such consternation should be spread by a few deserters from the camp, but we are here, and if only three hundred men remain on this side of the Brazos, I will die with them or conquer our enemies. Our own people, if they would act, are enough to expel every Mexican from Texas. Do let it be known that, on close examination, and upon reflection, the force of Santa Anna has been greatly overrated. If you can, by any means, soothe the people, and get them to remain, they shall have notice, if I deem it necessary. Let them entertain no fears for the present. We can raise three thousand men in Texas, and fifteen hundred can defeat all that Santa Anna can send to the Colorado.
Send agents to the United States [he said]. Appeal to them in the holy names of Liberty and Humanity. Let the men from the east of the Trinity rush to us. Let all the disposable force of Texas fly to arms.
“The general’s certainly working hard,” quoth Jim, as he and Ernest held a little council of war of their own. “But those fellows who skipped out ahead of the army when they heard about the Alamo are making him a heap of trouble. They’ve spread all kinds of stories. Shucks, we’re not getting any at all from east Texas. Not more’n a hundred and fifty men have met us since we left Gonzales—and part of them vamoosed” (by which Jim meant “skipped”) “again.”
“Those last settlers we took up say it’s reported Santa Anna’s bringing a lot of women along with his soldiers, and they’re to marry and settle on the American ranches, and all Americans are to be driven out,” said Ernest.
“If Fannin only gets away, we can hold the Mexicans at the Colorado,” spoke Jim, confidently. “We lost one gun to-day. Did you hear?”
“No. What?”
“Musket. A sentry busted it over the head of a fellow by name of Garner, who was bound to cross the line, whether or no. He didn’t cross. Reckon the general’ll give that sentry a medal. This army needs considerable disciplining.”
“Well, it’s got some discipline,” argued Ernest. “The general tried to cross the sentry line himself, and the sentinel made him sit on a stump and wait for a written order from the officer of the day.”
“That tickled the general, I bet,” chuckled Jim. “What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.”