Fortress of Goliad Nov. 13th. 1835

To Gen. Stephen F. Austin,

Com. in Ch. of the Army of the People,

Sir, Yours of the 8th. inst. by express was duly recd, on the night of the 10th and would have been answered much sooner had not events here, which it required time to control, prevented. Your request relative to the Volunteer Greys, was promptly complied with; and this corps will proceed immediately to Head Quarters.

As to the force under my command, recent proceedings of a few disaffected individuals here, borrowing assurance from events which cannot long favour their views, but on which they rely for the moment, prevent an immediate movement of any portion of it in the direction of Bexar.

Mr. Augustin Viesca the former Executive of this State, arrived here day before yesterday, accompanied by Doctors, Grant and Cameron, Col. Gonzales, and others. On being informed of their approach, I ordered an escort of four Americans and two Mexicans, to meet, receive, and conduct, Citizen Viesca and suit, to the quarters provided for his accommodation. This order was directed to Capt. Morris of the N. O. Volunteers, and was executed.

As I did not conceive myself duly authorised to receive this Gentleman in an official capacity, no such reception was either given or intended. On being applied to for orders to give him a different reception, and on my refusing to grant it, a strong, but by no means general excitement arose, and opposition to good order was immediately developed. Part of this opposition was made within the fortress—but it originated without; and from this quarter, an attempt was made to carry the purpose of the discontented into effect. These occurrences transpired evening before last. One of my men refused when on parade, (and had engaged others to follow his example,) to bring his gun to a shoulder when the order was given, steped out of the ranks and commenced a harangue to the Company. I instantly ordered him under guard. Immediately after he was marched off, another of the disaffected, (one of those who followed Irwin in the late movement which resulted in the loss of a valuable young officer,) came from the house of Western, (the abode of the disaffected,) to the door of the room where his associate had just been confined, threatened to release him, and drew a pistol on the guard.

I met the mutiny by detailing 15 men, under command of Leuit. Bordon, to proceed to the house of Western, where the self styled liberator of the man under guard had fled for protection, (and where too the physical force of the friends of the mutiners was then concentrated,) with orders to take the fugitive and put him under guard

This order was executed by Leuit. Bordon with a promptness, firmness, and coolness, which does both him and the men under his command, the highest honour.

The occupants of the house refused to surrender the fugitive, or to open the doors for the entrance of Bordon; and a threat that the "first man who entered should be killed", was distinctly heard without. The order was then given to force the door. Whilst carrying this into effect, the door was opened and the mutiner surrendered.

During the absence of Luiet. Bordon from the fortress, and whilst he was before the house of Western, Adjutant West over was ordered to reinforce Bordon with a detachment of 10 men. He refused to obey this order in presence of the Compy-, when I informed him that I considered him no longer an officer. He retired. During these proceedings, the company under my command behaved in a manner highly creditable, both to themselves and the service— All, excepting Westover, were ready to maintain order, and obey the command of their officers.

The proceedings, of which the foregoing is but a brief outline, viewed in connection with the Character, influence and known exertions of several individuals, to encourage insubordination, diffuse discontent, and excite a spirit of opposition, both in and out of the fort, imposed on this commandancy the hard necessity of placing the Town and environs of Goliad, under martial law—This measure has accordingly been adopted, and a copy of the order is herewith enclosed.

The detachment sent to the Nuecis, of which I informed your Excellency in a former communication, returned on the 10th inst. The Cannon, arms and ammunition at that post were taken—7 of the enemy were killed, and 12 or fourteen wounded. Sixty five of the enemy were engaged—and only 14 of our men were brought into the action. Savriago put off, during the action for Matamoros. Among the wounded of the enemy, are all the Members of the Ayun°. of San Patricio, the Judge, and Sheriff of that jurisdiction.

One only of our men, was wounded,—William Bracken—none killed— All returned that went out. Bracken lost three fingers off his right hand. The enemy retreated, and, we are informed, in the direction of Matamoras.

As to the particulars of this engagement, I am sorry to inform you, that, all I have here stated, is founded on the verbal statements of the men on the ground. Altho' again and again requested to report, the officer in command, has made no report in writing. If the information of several of the men placed under his command can be relied on, Westover obeyed no part of the order under which he acted. I reserve the particulars of this affair, so dishonourable to the commanding officer, so gallantly contested, and so [successfully] terminated by the brave men under his command, for the subject of a future communication.

I have dispatched Maj. Collinsworth to Matagorda for a supply of Blankets and winter clothing for the company under my command, for Buck shot, musket flints, etc—and in the event of his failure to procure the articles there, he is instructed to proceed to Columbia, Brazoria, and Velasco. To aid him in the prosecution of his commission, he was furnished with communications addressed to the Committees of Safety of all those Towns.

I have pressed into the service a caballardo on the way from the Interior to the United States, consisting, of 40 to 50 animals, said to belong to one Bartolo Pajas, have had them valued, and distributed among the Volunteers—The 'Greys" have participated in this distribution, many of whom are still unprovided with horses.

Please instruct me on whom the command of the post, on the Nuecis, recently reduced, now devolves. I am informed, inofficially, that the citizens there, have declared for the Constitution of '24, and are now under arms in the cause of Texas. Should you think proper to place this post under my command, it will afford me pleasure to provide for its defence.

P. Dimitt Comd [Rubric]

[Addressed:] No. 1 By Express To Gen. Stephen F. Austin Com. in Ch. of the Army of the People— Head Quarters.