several hours the men were wound about through the prickly-pears and thorn-bushes, turning more and more in the direction of the San Antonio road, when, about 10 o'clock at night, from exhaustion, sore shins, and disgust, all hands came to a halt, without water and without supper. "What was the meaning of following so long in the direction of the north star, when our direction lay south?" was in every mouth; and it was not until some time after stopping for the night that it was known the army was on the march to San Antonio. This was so contrary, not only to the will of the men, but to the reiterated threats on the part of the general to punish the enemy in his own country, and in open violation also of the almost unanimous war-council of that day, that the indignation of the men burst forth in the loudest abuse upon their commander. General Somerville's eyes were then open for the first time to the dilemma in which he was placed, of crossing into Mexico and fighting the enemy, or of going home under a popular odium, which would, in all probability, overwhelm him. In every direction of the camp he heard himself ridiculed and abused the [60] whole night. The next morning he remarked to an officer with whom he lay, that he did not sleep a wink that night. In such a quandary, what was to be done? He had in his confidence some who urged him forward to redeem the honour of his country, while the Mexican portion of his advisers persuaded him to retreat home. The former prevailed, and next morning the troops were informed that they would be conducted to water, and after getting something to eat, that another war council would be held. Accordingly, in about one mile water was found, and after getting breakfast,the officers were called together in council. Out of fourteen captains present, still eleven were for pursuing the enemy into Mexico, and giving him battle. The council adjourned, and the troops were accordingly again paraded. The general made a speech, in which he desired that all who were in favour of crossing to the Rio Grande would step to the right, and those in favour of returning home would go to the left; that if it was still their desire to pursue the enemy, he would lead them, but if not, his commission was in their hands, and he would cheerfully serve among the foremost in the ranks. Throughout his remarks were patriotic and cheering, and by acclamation he was elected, without one dissenting voice, their "volunteer leader." By the laws of Texas, the army had a perfect right to elect their commander, but heretofore they had not claimed this privilege, for fear it might create division, and furnish a pretext, as it had [61] the spring previous, for thwarting the expedition.7 When, therefore, the proposition came from General Somerville to elect their commander, it was unanimously met by the men, in as magnanimous a spirit, by electing him. Of the 740 men present, about 200 voted to return; they were placed under the command of Colonel Bennett, of Montgomery, and did return, while the balance insisted upon being led against the enemy in the most enthusiastic terms.

Notwithstanding all the dissatisfaction which had been expressed previously