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Mexican Threats and Texan Military

Cannon balls          In good order204  
   Various sizes 992        Damaged30  
Shells 110     Belts 240  
Muskets       Bayonet scabbards71  
   Complete 988     Bayonets 609  
   Needing repairs 440     Musket cartridges 16,770  
   Damaged & unfit      Musket balls 1 keg
     for service 129     Powder
Rifles 7        Good 189 kegs
Swords & Sabres 84        Damaged 127 kegs
Cartouch boxes
Wagons, harness, armories, blacksmith's
and carpenter's tools

Of the muskets, 300 were at Houston, 35 at Galveston, and 653 at Post West Bernard. The latter were described as out of order, although they were included in the number listed as "complete." Two pieces of artillery were at Houston, one at Bastrop, and one near Live Oak Point, and several at Galveston. It had been hoped that considerable arms and munitions could have been acquired from the United States government at New Orleans upon the arrival there of the volunteers who had fought the Seminoles in Florida, but the arms had been sent to Baton Rouge and to Natchez where they could not be procured for cash.[129]  At this time the Republic had only one hospital for the care of its sick and wounded soldiers, and this was the General Military Hospital at Houston.[130]  Such a military establishment was certainly not an imposing one.



129. Ibid.; The "two pieces of hollow ware" styled the "twin sisters of San Jacinto" were brought to the armory at Houston on August 13, 1838, and were reported to be in "excellent condition." Telegraph and Texas Register, Aug. 18, 1838.

130. Ashbel Smith to George W. Hockley, Surgeon General's Office, Oct. 27, 1838, in Houston, Documents from the Heads of Departments, pp. 22-24.

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AFTER SAN JACINTO: The Texas-Mexican Frontier, 1836-1841
Joseph Milton Nance, 1963