other a mile or so below. Edward Burleson was in command above, and Bowie and Fannin below.

On the 31st of October, Colonel Bowie wrote to Cos, suggesting terms of reconciliation by which a further effusion of blood might be prevented. This was of no avail.

The large number of officers, none of whom could lay claim to military skill above the rest, and all having divers opinions as to the contemplated attack upon San Antonio, and want of authority over the volunteers, all deprecating the division of the forces, created and kept up a restless, dissatisfied spirit among the volunteers. In consequence of this disaffection and delay the army was diminishing in numbers, and the enemy were strengthening their position and looking for reinforcements.

At Goliad, Captain Dimmitt detailed forty men, under Captain Ira Westover, to capture a small garrison at Lipantitlan, on the west bank of the Nueces, twelve miles above San Patricio, the soldiers of which were interfering with communication with the Rio Grande. They arrived in front of the fort about dark, and demanded a surrender, which was granted. At four o'clock the next afternoon they met a body of Mexicans, under Rodriguez, who 0pened fire at about two hundred yards. Hastily forming near the river, and taking true aim with their rifles, the Texans were soon masters of the field. Rodriguez soon afterwards retreated to Matamoras, having thirty wounded, some of whom died.

Besides accomplishing their main purpose, it resulted in the release of several Texas prisoners from the fort, and the return of citizens whom the Mexicans had pressed into their service.

Questions.—What decree had been issued? Where was the second attempt to disarm the people made? Give an account of it. What was the effect of these attempts? What place was first taken? By whom? Whom did they find by the wayside? How had he travelled? Describe the attack on Goliad. What garrison was left? What distinguished person visited them? What did he expect? Under what civil control was Texas at this time? How did the leaders proceed 1 What position did Zavala fill? How did they complete their organization ? What was the first movement of the army? Why was there not a quorum at the gathering of the consultation ? What was evident? What demand was made by the citizen volunteers ? Was it obeyed ? Where did the army next camp ? Where were Bowie and Fannin sent? What was done by these officers ? How was the night passed? What occurred in the morning ? What was the plan of the enemy's advance ? Describe the engagement. What did Bowie and Fannin state in their joint report to Austin ? Who arrived an hour after the battle? What insult had Cos offered to Austin ? What disposition was made of the volunteers ? What did Bowie suggest to Cos? What was the main trouble in the army? What was the consequence ? For what did Captain Dimmitt detail Westover ?

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE GENERAL CONSULTATION-STORMING OF SAN ANTONIO

AUSTIN LEAVES THE ARMY.

On the 3d of November, 1835, the “general consultation of all Texas” met, and, having a quorum, organized. At this time the “advisory council” surrendered their organization to them with a full report. They elected Dr. Branch T. Archer, once speaker of the House of Delegates in the Virginia Legislature, president, and Peter B. Dexter secretary.

The conventions of 1832 and 1833 were assemblages of men met to petition for a redress of grievances, and for measures looking to the bettering of their condition as submissive subjects of the ruling powers of Mexico. This consultation met, in the midst of war against those ruling powers, for the preservation of life and liberty, representing the majesty of an inborn sense of right.

On the first day of the session John A. Wharton offered, and the consultation adopted, a resolution “ That the President appoint a committee of one from each of the twelve municipalities represented, to prepare a declaration setting forth to the world the causes that impelled them to take up arms."

On the sixth day, after much discussion, on motion of Sam Houston, a vote was taken on the question of a declaration of independence, which resulted in fifteen for indepen

dence, and thirty-three for a provisional State government under the Mexican confederacy.

The confederacy was at that moment in fragments ; but many Texans believed that there existed in Mexico a large federal party, and the declaration, adopted on November 7th, was so framed as to invite a cooperation with them in restoring the constitutional government. The Texans were fighting against a military despotism.

On the 12th a plan for the civil and military provisional government was adopted, and the officers of that government were elected. Henry Smith was elected governor, James W. Robinson lieutenant-governor, and Sam Houston commander-in-chief of the army. Dr. Branch T. Archer, Stephen F. Austin, and William Il. Wharton were elected commissioners to the United States, to invoke aid for the impending struggle. The oath of office bound each one to support the constitution of 1824.

The consultation passed a solemn decree, to which each member signed his name, guaranteeing to the Cherokees and their twelve associate bands the same landed rights as they themselves claimed—by grants from Mexico and occupancy. This body adjourned on the 14th of November, to meet again on the 1st day of March, unless sooner called by the "provisional governor and council." The latter went into immediate operation, and many of the members of the consultation went to join the army, then holding San Antonio in a state of siege.

It was the duty of the provisional government to execute the decrees of the consultation, bring order out of chaos, prepare for military defence, establish postal routes, regulate commerce, improvise a navy, establish local judicial tribunals, and form a treaty with the Cherokees. The treasury was empty.

The question as to storming San Antonio still agitated the army. On the 21st of November, 1835, General Austin

issued an order to the effect that, on the next day, the army would be organized into divisions for storming San Antonio. Colonels Burleson and Sublett both replied, on the same day, that their officers were opposed to it, and the order was revoked. On the afternoon of the same day, November 21st, the New Orleans Grays, numbering sixty-four men, arrived and reported for duty. These men, well armed and equipped, were fitted out by the generosity of citizens of New Orleans, and were the first volunteers to join the Texas standard from the United States. They had marched on foot from the mouth of the Brazos. On the 24th it was officially announced to the army that

their commander, Stephen F. Austin, and JudgeAdvocate Wm. H. Wharton, with Dr. Branch T. Archer, had been appointed commissioners to visit the United States. All who were willing to remain with the army under a new commander were requested to respond. All present, four hundred and five (what remained from about a thousand, including the New Orleans Grays), responded. These elected Colonel Ed

ward Burleson com- . mander. Austin left the army on the 25th.

Colonel Burleson appointed Frank W. Johnson adjutant, Wm. T. Austin and Peter W. Grayson aids ; Milam, Bird Lockhart, Travis, and “Deaf” Smith, were each in command of scouts who were always on duty.

GENERAL EDWARD BURLESON.

The scouting parties had several skirmishes, penetrating the country as far west as the Nueces, burning off the grass which furnished subsistence to the Mexican horses. Near the powder-house near San Antonio, seven of the enemy were killed; and, near the Nueces, Travis captured and brought in a large number of cavalry horses.

Questions.—On what day did the consultation meet to organize? What body surrendered to them? Who was elected president? Who was secretary? In what important particular did this general consultation differ from the conventions which preceded? What was the next act of the first day's sitting? Was a majority of the consultation in favor of an immediate declaration of independence? What was then the condition of the Mexican confederacy? Give an account of the acts of the 12th of November. What solemn declaration did the consultation make which was unanimously adopted and signed by every member? When? On what date did the consultation adjourn? When were they to meet again? Where did the members of the consultation go? What duties devolved upon the provisional governor? What question now agitated the army? What order was issued by Austin? What did Burleson and Sublett reply? Who arrived on the same day? How had they travelled from the Brazos? What announcement was made to the army on the 24th? What request was made? What was the response? Who was elected commander? When did Austin leave the army? What officers were appointed? What can you tell of the scouting parties?

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE GRASS FIGHT—STORMING OF SAN ANTONIO—DEATH OF

MILAM.

A Mule train, guarding the silver for paying the Mexican troops, was daily expected to arrive at San Antonio ; and James Bowie, with a small detachment of men, a few miles west of San Antonio, discovered a train, heavily packed, approaching. Runners were despatched to the camp for reinforcements. All who had their horses in readiness left in haste, and many pressed forward on foot. Bowie, seeing the prize about to escape him, made a furious charge. Burleson arrived in the midst of it; and his father, Colonel James Burleson, an old officer of the Creek war, electrified the young men, calling out in a clear, ringing voice: "Charge 'em, boys! Charge \"

The Mexicans, after losing a number of men, abandoned