and deceptious policy had visited upon him, by again joining in the war-cry. The aforesaid proclamation was printed, and distributed extensively throughout the country. It called "upon the first class of drafted men from many counties to rendezvous at Bexar, to pursue the enemy into Mexico, chastise him for his insolence and wrongs," and concluded by saying, "It is hoped you will call to your lead a man of velour, wisdom, and experience." Though the laws of the country gave the citizens this latter privilege when in the field, President Houston had the spring before denied it, and yet usurped the appointing power over them. That usurpation of their lawful rights, and his endeavour to force upon them a man not of their choice, had broken up the army in the spring. Now that the war-storm raged so fiercely, he yielded this point; and all, more than all, called for in his proclamation, at the shortest possible notice were in their saddles, and moving rapidly to the seat of action. The writer was among the first two or three hundred from the middle section of the country who arrived at Columbus, upon the Colorado, [39] where, for the first time, they met the news of General Woll's evacuation of Bexar. Here we met many returning, some, doubtless, glad of such an opportunity to do so, while the majority deeply lamented it. What was to be done? was the question. Was this system of outrage and murder to be forever practiced upon us with impunity, and a hundred miles' flight to the Rio Grande to screen our enemy from punishment? These questions were deliberately considered by every patriot present. They had in their hands the President's proclamation authorizing and commanding them to pursue the enemy into Mexico, and also to elect their own commander. One and all expressed a desire for Burleson to lead them, and said, if he would do so, they would follow the enemy home.

In this state of uncertainty and doubt, I informed them that I would go express to General Burleson's house, some sixty miles, and have him there in three days. I started for General Burleson's, and, in the mean time, General Somerville arrived at Columbus, and hearing that Burleson was expected to meet the troops at that place, he hastily disbanded them, without orders from the government, and started back to his custom-house at Matagorda Bay. The question must occur to every reflecting mind, Was this patriotic in General Somerville, after he found that he was not the choice of the troops, to disband them, and destroy all prospect of their serving their country under another leader? This was [40] the second time General S. had dispersed the army in the same way. In March previously he pertinaciously insisted upon the command at Bexar over men who had no confidence in him, thereby driving a large and respectable army from the field. But at Columbus he was not so successful; and though he added the sanction of his authority as brigadier-general of the militia to their going home, and did himself go, there was a patriotism of sterner stuff which he could not control.2

The gallant Captains Wm. Ryan and F. M. Gibson, of Fort Bend county, and