Williamson to Smith and the Council

Williamson to Smith and the Council

In November 1835, Robert McAlpin Williams received an appointment a major from the Provisional Government to command the Corps of Rangers, a three-company battalion to be organized for defense of the frontier. Williamson, a friend of William B. Travis, became involved in the effort to reinforce the Alamo.

 

                                                                          Gonzales 25 February 1836
To the Governor and Council of Texas

By Express from San Antonio under the date of the 23d instant¹ I have received information that 2000 Mexicans under the command of Siezma have arrived in Bexar and have taken possession of the public square compelling the American troops (150 in number) to confine themselves to the Alamo the American Troops are determined to defend the place to the last and have called upon their fellow citizens for aid under the 4th rule of instructions to me directed by your Excellency dated 15th day of the present month, I have written the following communication to Capt. J. J. Tomlison commanding the first detachment of the Ranging corps

"Sir
Information directed from San Antonio under the date of yesterday is calculated to call forth the United Efforts of all Texas Two thousand troops under the command of Siezma have arrived in that place and are in possession of the Public square, compelling our Troops (150 in number) to retire to the Alamo where they are at present and determined to remain until death or victory, the implore aid from their fellow citizens and solicit it speedily--Provisions and men is the cry. Are the frontiers of Color[a]do safe? are there no hostile Indians bearing materially upon the frontier of Texas. If there be none you will forthwith fall down to Bastrop and wait further orders from me. It would be well for the inhabitants of Bastrop to keep out spies in the direction of San Antonio lest a foraging party of Mexicans surprise them, every inch of ground must be disputed by us until we can communicate and march against and crush them--If the Indians are still troublesome on the frontier I would suggest to the settlers the propriety of concentrating in the different settlements and build Block houses or forts for their better defence, in the morning I will proceed to Gonzales and will advise and command what I conceive best to be done on this frontier. The information comes by Express from Col Travis and may be relied on. Do for the best and act promptly under the instructions herein contained, with sentiments of regard

I am yours
                                                                                                        R. M. Williamson
                                                                                                        Maj. Comdg. &c.
To Col. J. J. Tomlison

The foregoing communication I have caused to be forwarded by express and rest assured that no exertions on my part will be wanting to give the earliest aid practicable to our fellow soldiers in the Alamo. Citizens of Texas arouse, save your country and your liberties all must now act and act in unison, I am in haste

                                                                                                        Your obt servt
                                                                                                        R. M. Williamson
                                                                                                        Comdg. the Rangers--

John H. Jenkins, ed., Papers of the Texas Revolution (10 vols.; Austin: Presidial Press, 1973), 4:434-35.

Source: State Department Record Books, Tx.

1.John H. Jenkins, ed. Papers of the Texas Revolution (10 vols.; Austin: Presidial Press, 1973), 4: 419-420, 422. William B. Travis sent two letters out of the Alamo on the afternoon of February 23, 1836. One co-authored with James Bowie, was addressed to James W. Fannin at Goliad. Travis sent another letter to Andrew Ponto, the alcalde of Gonzales. Lanerlot Smithers, who carried the letter to Ponton, added the following postscript to Travis letter on February 24, when he arrived at Gonzales: "In a few words there is 2000 Mexican soldiers in Bexar, and 150 Americans in the Alamo. Sesma is at the head of them, and from the best accounts that can be obtained, they intend to show no quarter. If every man cannot turn out to a man every man in the Alamo will be murdered."