Thursday night 12 oclk.

Mission of Espada 22d- octr 1835

Genl Austin

At half after 4 oclk p. M we took possession of this Mission, with out any resistance—A guard of five men, escaped us by only a few minutes— We find the Citizens well disposed and quite communicative

A large number of the citizens of Bexar and of this place, are now laying out, to prevent being forced to perform the most servile duties—We can place the most implicit confidence in all the information read from Bexar which is up to 5 oclk p. m. Great consternation was manifested there when our approach to this point was made known—The fortifications are nearly or quite such as before made known to you, with this addition, the tops of the Houses and the entrance of the Streets, are forified, with unburnt Brick, with Port holes, for their Infantry—

They have 8 pieces (4 lb) mounted—and one of larger size preparing for us. They have none on the Church—but have removed all their ammunition to it, and enclosed it by a wall, made of wood, six feet apart and six feet high, filled in with dirt, extending from the corners to the ditch, say sixty yards in length—

We are informed that they have not got in corn or other provisions, and we find it all growing, or rather, yet in the fields: and are informed that it is the Case above Town. When our approach—was ascertained the alarm was great, and 14 Beef Cattle was ordered to be pened up—The men with whom we have conversed—are decidedly of the opinion, that in five days, they can be starved out.—

We propose to explore above this early tomorrow—and will occupy the nearest point to Town—bearing in mind the necessity of holding this place, and keeping up a communication with you We would respectfully suggest the propriety of the main army to take a position above Town, and cut off all provisions from above, and we will attend to it below

This will alarm and intimidate the enemy, and inspire our friends with renewed confidence, and will affect our object at once—

Should the re-inforcements arrive, and you can well spare them, fifty men will be acceptable, and we will then be entirely able to take and hold any position, you may please to designate—

Owing to the late hour of our arrival, we have not examined the missions above, but have had it done by our Pilot, who reports only five soldiers at St Jose, and none at St Juan—We learn that no public stores are collected at either place—The Bean crops are entirely distroyed—There is corn in abundance, but the principal owners are in Town, and Couriers will be dispatched early for them, to make contracts with [them] for the army. There is corn here, but owned by men who Rent the Land, and will sell for cash only, and only in small quantities

They have recd- no reenf or cements lately—and no news from Capt Baragan—they have removed nearly all the horses to Lorado on the Rio Grande—and keep up at night those they have (from 2 to 300) and graze them near Town in the day—Their whole force does not reach 600, according to the report of a respectable gentleman, who escaped, with his family, from Town this morning, and now with us

Early in the morning a Courier will be dispatched to Segines Ranch, where Juan is, but the old man is in Town—Genl. Cos has threatened to make Seguine [Seguin] and others of the most respectable citizens to sweep the public square, and in case he whiped us, to make their Ladies, grind tortias for his soldiers—

Should you concur with us, and determine to occupy the position above, inform us of it, that we may co-operate with you, and wind up the job speedily

James Bowie [Rubric]

J. W. Fannin Jr. [Rubric]

P. S. Fowd- to us our portion of the supplies, as we have prospect, but from our private resources—also the men belonging to the Companies of this Division who were left behind—also request them to bring forwd- the Baggage of their respective companies

J. B.

J. W. F.

[Addressed:] Genl. S F Austin At Camp Salado, Near Bexar— Pr. Mr Black