Mission of Espada, 23d octr 1835

5 Oclk P M friday evening

Genl Austin—In conformity with your orders, and agreeably to our suggestions of last night, we marched to the Missions above this, and make the following report of their situation and such oher information as we deem important—at the Mission of St Juan, they only planted three pecks of corn, and it is yet in the field, and very fine—The Citizens are well disposed, and now look to us for protection—and should the Enimy attempt to withdraw their corn, information will be forthwith recd- from them

At the Mission of St Jose, we find no corn, the dam having been broke early this season and the crop abandoned—only a small crop of Peas, and these not yet well ripened—This Mission is in a dilapidated state and only one family at it—At the former, several respectable families, and the walls in a good state of preservation, and a strong hold for defence—

St Jose has fine quarters for the men, but the water too remote, and too much at the mercy of the enimy— No intelligence from the Segienes, as yet—We learn that reinforcements to the amt of 30 men arrived—in Bexar last night—also that you had a slight skirmish with an outpost in which they report only one killed—he being shot in the eye—

They say two more parties of reinforcements are looked for daily—If we had fifty men more, we could keep out spyes on the two roads and cut them off, and be in no sort of danger ourselves

There is but little money in Camp—and the men are complaining that corn and other provisions are not furnished them—

We will make purchases of Beef and corn tonight with our own funds and hope to hear from you tomorrow early—Our private resources are quite limited, and cannot be expected to last beyond tomorrow—or we should not apply to you for aid—You know the materials we have—they will fight—and fight desperately; but must Eat. We expect to take a position in the timber, near Bexar, tomorrow; and request regular information from you, that we may be fully apprized of your movements, and know how far ours comport with your views; and will insure success to our cause.—The Courier from Bexar has this moment come in, and says that the man reported shot and killed, is not dead—but shot where we heard, and must certainly die—and the leader of the party, slightly wounded by a Pistol ball and only three Rifles heard crack— They have put the commander and most of the men in prison for cowardice—The reinforcements did arrive, under Baragan with 30 men—and no more spoken of—He is stationed in 5th street.

The Politcal Chief has fled—and every other principal man we wrote to with him— Their force was 100—and yours reported only 15—

The owner of this place is suspected, and the courier would not approach him for fear of detection and exposure (Jose Antonio Garza is his name) Do let us hear from you, and receive some aid to furnish provisions for our men—Should you send, your courier will hear from us hear

In haste, We subscribe ourselves

James Bowie [Rubric]

J W Fannin Jr [Rubric]

[Addressed:] Genl. S. F. Austin In Camp at Salado Near Bexar Pr. Smith