Goliad 13th Oct. 8 O'Clock P. M. 1835

Sir

I have the honor to ackuowledge the receipt of your Two Communications under date of the 11th and 12th Inst.

The Men who Compose the Bat[talion at] this place, were extremely unwilling to [remain here] and it was with difficulty on yesterday [they] were prevailed upon to Stay until [orders] could be received from head quarters.

The orders this day recvd were rea[d] and they have concented to stay with [but few] Exceptions, to defend this place to the [last] extremety

It will be imposseble for Me to Comply with your Orders Contained in yours of the 12th Inst, farther than that of defending the place because we have but a verry few more Men than you order to remain and no Munitions of war which could possibly be Spared and besides if I were to dispatch the Surplus twenty, I entertain great fears that Many others would leave and we Should immediately be left with a trifling force.

That you May be fully informed of the true State of the arsonal when this place was Captured, that you May see My inability to furnish aid therefrom, I inclose you a correct Statement made by our quarter Master and Commissary, every Specis of arms which could be made usefull and Efficient have been put in requisition, for the purpose of arming our [own] Men and Some Mexicans of this place . . . [com]manded by Padilla and Placidore the Alcalde of Guadaloupe Victoria who have Volunteered in our cause.

The Mexican Volunteers are not included [in] our Numbers to Make the hundred and Twenty [men], because we know Not as yet how far they may be relied upon in as Much as Some of them are the prisoners who were captured here, who have been released at the request and by the desire and on the pledge of Padilla—It Seems to be the General opinion among the intelegent Mexicans here that Coss will Make a desparate Effort to regain this place. How far this is correct I am Not prepared to Say. They believe this because they Conceive it to be the Connecting link between Bexar and all the Coast.

Supplies of provisions are Scarce but every exertion will be Made to Secure a Sufficient quantity in order to enable us to Stand a Siege Annexed to the Statement of arms etc you will find a Statement of Men and arms at Bexar as taken from public documents, here and suppose by other testimony which is Conceived to be entitled to Credit, you will discover from that Statement that the Number is Much greater than was anticipated by any of us though the last 500 Named are admitted to be Exteremly inefficient

In my communication of yesterday you were informed that Guadaloupe and this place had voluntarily declared in favour of the Constitution of 24 and against Centralism,

The walls of the fortification here is in a perfect recked State and requires considerable repairs to Make it in any way tenable but we Shall use all posseble exertion to put it in a cituation for defence and Should they Make an attact upon us we will defend it to the last Moment but I presume they will attempt to Starve us out for with a large force they can cut off our Supplies of water and provisions and you of course will be apprised of their Movements and will act accordingly

Benj. F. Smith Col. Comd,

Genl. S. F. Austin

[Addressed:] Genl. S. F. Austin Where ever he may be By Express

[Report of Arms Captured at Goliad]

The following report and list of armament is returned by the undersigned in conformity with an order of the Col. Commanding Which is as follows

6 Saddles—Serviceable, with trifling repairs

1 Barrell Musket cartridges servesable for close [quarters]

100—41b Shot—

44 Lance Heads From 100 to 200 Bayonett these two articles will be very usefull in case of a charge

200 Stands of Muskets and Carbins—Some of which Might be made Serviceable by small repairs but the greater part are broken and entirely useless.

A lot, old broken Cartridge Boxes and Rusty camp kittles all unfit for use old Iron etc. etc.

Ira Ingram Comg.

Goliad Oct. 13th 1835

A true Coppy) :

Statement of arms and munitions of war at Bexar

500 Muskets 300 Carabines 800

2 41b Ps. Artilery with 288 Ball Catridges 192 Grape ammunition for these Same complete

400 Cavilry

150 Infantry

500 do Recruits and others

1050