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Head Quarters, Western Department.
Camp Sabine, tuesday morning
28th June 1836.
Sir,
I last night received information from a high official source in Texas, that the mexican
army at Matamoras, under General Urria, had been reinforced to the number of seven thousand
men, and was on the 18th Inst. in its march, and rapidly advancing towards Guadalupe,
Victoria, the Head Quarters of the Texian Army undder General Thomas J. Rusk; and
that the mexican motto was “Exterminate to the Sabine or Death”, to which the
soldiery were sworn; and that the motto of the Texian Army was “Liberty or Death”
This intelligence was preceded by the Report of Major Sterling C. Robertson, sustained by
the depositions of two witnesses to the facts deposed, that two men were recently killed &
another wounded on the waters of the Navasota, in Robertson's Colony about 120 miles
west of Nacogdoches, by the Indians of several different tribes (Caddoes,
Keechies & others) who had taken & carried away several women and children of the
families of the men killed.
The above Intelligence taken in connexion with the history of the bloody conflicts of the
months of March & April last, at the Alamo, at Goliad, of at San Jacinto, sufficiently
indicate the character of the approaching events, as well as the necessity of unceasing
vigilance on the part of the United States to maintain our neutral relations, & stay the
work of devastation in the disputed Territory, & preserve this frontier from the horrors of
Savage war.
To effect these important objects mounted force fully equal to that of the principal
belligerent is necessary. For this purpose I have to request of your Excellency a
Regiment of mounted Gun=Men, volunteers if practicable, to consist of Ten companies; to be
enrolled and repair to this place by companies, or in a body, as may be most convenient,
via Little Rock, Arkansas -- Transportation, subsistence & forage for the route will
be furnished by the Quarter Master Department;* similar supplies, with camp-Equipage, arms
&c will be furnished at this place, & Fort Jesup.
The companies to continue in service for six months, from the day they reach their
Rendezvous, to be discharged at any time by the United States.
I have the honor to be with perfect respect
Your friend & obt. Serv
Edmund P. Gaines
Major Genl commanding
* note -- if there is not in Tennessee a U.S. quarter master your excellency will be
pleased to appt a regimental one & supply him with funds for his movement to this place
E. P. Gaines
To His Excellency
N. Cannon
Governor of Tennessee
[Docket]
Genl Edmund P. Gaines
28 June 1836
Source:
The original letter is the property
of the Tennessee State Library and
Archives, 403 Seventh Avenue North,
Nashville, TN 37243-0312. 615-741-2764.
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