the banks of the Guadalupe, just opposite the town, they found that the ferry-boat had been taken to the other side. To cross was dangerous, for a company of armed Texans under Captain Albert Martin was keeping guard over the ferry; hence the Mexicans encamped a short distance from the ferry. As the colonists had only a small squad of men at Gonzales when the messenger came to the alcalde demanding the cannon, the Texans asked for time to consider the matter. This was September 29. Couriers were sent through the country to give the alarm. As in 1775 the brave minute-men left their plows, seized their muskets and hastened to Lexington, so now the colonists hurried to Gonzales.. After a force of perhaps one hundred and sixty-eight men had assembled (John M. Moore being, the commander), the Texans sent word that they would not give up the cannon. The enemy had moved some miles away and remained in camp.18 On October 2 the Texans attacked and utterly routed the Mexicans. No sooner had the little brass cannon roared than the Mexicans fled towards Béxar. Our men were left in possession of the field. Not a Texan was injured, while the Mexicans lost several killed and wounded.

Effects of the Victory.-The whole country was aroused. Even those men who up to this time showed little interest in public affairs awoke to the importance of decided action, for all parties now realized that war was inevitable. Houston was made commander of all forces to be raised in Eastern Texas. Austin was unanimously elected commander-in-chief of the volunteer troops assembled at Gonzales. De Zavala came from his secluded retreat to offer aid to the patriot cause. Austin issued a ringing appeal for volunteers, to which men from the highest and from the humblest walks of

life responded. There was many a Putnam who left his plow in the furrow, snatched his gun, and with a hurried "God keep you" to wife and children rushed away to obey his country's call. An appeal for aid was made to the United States.

Capture of Goliad.— Encouraged by the victory at Gonzales, a small company of planters (about fortyseven in number), with George M. Collinsworth as leader, determined to capture Goliad. They arrived near the town (October 8th or 9th) and sent out scouts, who as they were passing a dense thicket were startled by a voice asking, “Who are you?" On replying they were Texans, to their joyful surprise they saw Colonel Benjamin R. Milam emerging from the bushes. He hurriedly told them of his escape from the Mexican prison at Monterey; 19 of his perilous journey back to Texas, and then asked that he be allowed to join their ranks and assist in the attack upon Goliad. The Texans surprised the small Mexican garrison, and after a short struggle they captured the soldiers, $10,000 in money and a supply of firearms.

Battle of Concepción.- General Cos had now reached Béxar with four or five hundred reënforcements. Having determined to take San Antonio from the Mexicans, Austin marched with his little army of volunteers from Gonzales to Salado Creek, and then sent forward Colonel James Bowie and Captain J. W. Fannin with about ninety-two men to find a place for encamping still nearer the city. The officers decided on the Mission Concepción, and at a bend in the river, some distance from the Mission, the Texans halted for the night. A strong guard was placed and our men lay down to rest with their arms at their sides. Soon after daybreak (Oct. 28), the Texans were aroused by rapid firing. Every man sprang

to his feet, grasped his rifle, and peered through the fog that hung heavily around him to see the position of the enemy. As soon as it grew lighter, the Texans saw they were surrounded by the Mexicans. The infantry and cavalry of the enemy advanced; at the order they poured forth a volley of balls. The Texans fired more slowly but each one picked his man so surely that the Mexicans fell rapidly. The Mexican commander ordered a cannon to be turned upon the "rebels." No sooner did a gunner approach to fire it than a bullet

aimed by some steady-handed Texan pierced his brain. The Mexican cavalry charged, but the colonists repelled them. Wildly jubilant the Texans now cried: “The cannon! The cannon!" and rushed forward to take it. The enemy fled before their attack; the cannon was captured and turned upon the Mexicans; the field was left to the Texans. Thus, in an actual engagement of only thirty minutes, less than one hundred Texan farmers conquered four hundred Mexican soldiers. The former had only their guns and pistols, while the latter had everything in the way of arms, besides the cannon; but the

former were freemen fighting for their liberty, while the latter were servants obeying a Dictator.

Results.- Bowie claimed the Mexican loss was about sixty killed and a less number wounded. The Texans had one killed, the gallant Richard Andrews, and one wounded.20 In their report to Commander-in-Chief Austin, who came up with the main body of volunteers soon after the battle was won, Bowie and Fannin said: "Had it been possible to communicate with you and bring you up earlier, Bèxar would have been ours before 12 o'clock." The victory won in this the first regular battle of the revolution, greatly encouraged the Texans, and made them feel that God was with

their cause.

General Consulta

tion.

On November 3,

a general consultation 21 was held at San Felipe.22 A provisional

Henry Smith

government was formed. Henry Smith was elected governor, and J. W. Robinson lieutenant-governor. A council was appointed to help the governor in all public matters. Plans were laid for raising an army. Sam Houston was created Major-General of the armies of Texas. Branch T. Archer, William H. Wharton, and Stephen F. Austin were chosen to appeal to the United States for aid.

No Declaration of Independence.- While some members of the Consultation wished to cut loose from Mexico at once and declare Texas independent, others saw this would be a mistake. Texas needed the sympathy and assistance of the outside world. She could most surely gain these by showing that she was only striving for justice. The Consultation voted fifteen for independence, thirty-three for the support of the Mexican Constitution of 1824.23

The Texas Army. As soon as General Austin joined Bowie and Fannin, he wished to press on and attack San Antonio, thinking the confusion of the Mexicans defeated at Concepción would make victory sure for the Texans. A council of war decided against Austin's plan but agreed to besiege San Antonio. Austin then devoted his time to organizing and training the army, which the student must never forget was made up of men who knew little of military discipline. Volunteers came in every day. Deaf Smith, who was to do such famous service as a scout, joined the ranks. New Orleans sent two companies of gallant young men, called "The Grays." 24 Nearly a month passed by with the army inactive.

Edward Burleson in Command.- When Austin was chosen commissioner to the United States, Edward Burleson 25 was (November 24) elected by the troops about San Antonio to take command.

Now Burleson knew that General Cos had a strong force in San Antonio, and that the town was well fortified. He hesitated, therefore, to risk an attack and the siege was continued. The most trying part of any campaign is waiting for action.26 Even to trained soldiers it is wearying; to these farmers who had wives and children depending upon them, it was doubly so. Cold