and it was in contemplation; but from the soreness of the men's feet and other causes, it was again deferred.

This place is also worthy of note, from the fact that here our lamented countryman, Captain Philip Dimmit, poisoned himself, having determined so to act rather than die by the hands of his enemies. Captain Dimmit's name is too intimately connected with Goliad and our first effort at independence to be passed over with indifference. We knew him long and intimately as a brave man and a devoted patriot. When he was villanously abducted from his home, through the perfidious treachery of his own countrymen, the Mexicans knew the value of their prize too well to treat him slightly. Poor Dimmit knew full well that the "Goliad Declaration of Independence" would seal his fate. He and his few companions, with a heroism worthy the occasion, charged their guards, and, after three had fallen by his own hands, yielded to the superiority of numbers. His last act of defiance, after invoking his country's justice upon his betrayers and murderers in a strain of rare eloquence, was to die as he had lived, shouting for his country and liberty!6

February 10th. Colonel Barragan arrived at the hacienda Salado7 with our men, where he found Captain Ugartechia sick, with our party. We had [146] been quartered in a room opening upon a small courtyard, in which our guards were stationed. This courtyard adjoined a larger one on the south, from which it was separated by a dividing wall of about fifteen feet high, and in the latter our men were quartered. These quarters had no communication with ours except by the outer gates. Some few of our men obtained permission to accompany Colonel Barragan to visit us. Of these were Captain Ryan, Dr. Brennem, Captain Fitzgerald, Mr. Maxwell, and Edwards. Our men were highly elated at coming up with us; and the prospect of our uniting with them in an attempt to go home at once started the question anew of charging their guards. The men who visited us were requested to ascertain our opinions as to its practicability, &c. Colonel Fisher was opposed to the charge, but sent word to Captain Cameron "to use his own good sense in the matter." I was in favour of it, as I had uniformly been, and my plan of attack was freely communicated to Captains Ryan and Fitzgerald, and Dr. Brennem. They informed me that their plan was to charge at midnight. I opposed this hour, as being unpropitious for securing the horses of the cavalry, as they would most probably be out grazing, and recommended sunrise, at which time the horses would be herded. Captain Reese was opposed to the "break," as he informed me, because he thought we had advanced too far into the country. I told him I thought there would be no danger; that [147] we should be strong enough to keep the road, and beat all the opposing force above Guerrero; that Fitzgerald and Van Ness had informed me the troops from San Fernando had been moved down to that point before they left the former place; that a few days rapid move on the main road would ensure success.