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G.W. Davis Memoirs

George W.Davis 1830's

Gonzales Texas

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George Davis and his family had made the journey to Texas. They found a land wild and untamed beyond their wildest dream. He described Gonzales  as the most beautify land I ever beheld with plenty of timber for every purpose. Good water and plenty of it. In less than four years Davis found himself caught up in the Texas Revolution. Mexico had cut off all Anglo immigration and was trying to recall some of the land grants. The people of Gonzales found a loop hole in immigration law and were able to hold on to their property but the future of his dream was at risk. George Davis had been appointed secretary to the Committee of Safety and wrote this letter asking for assistance at Gonzales.

Correspondence Between The

Committees of Safety

Gonzales & San Felipe

I am directed by the Committee of Safety of Gonzales to address you for the purpose of procuring immediate assistance to repel an expected attack of the enemy. The circumstances which influence us to this measures are these: A demand at the insistence of Ugartechea, has been made for a piece of cannon, which has been in this town upwards of four years. This cannon is not needed in Bexar, for they have eighteen pieces there, all unmounted, besides those which they have mounted; this piece was given to us unconditionally, as we are informed, for the defense of the colony. From every circumstance and from information, we are justified in believing that this demand is only made to get a pretext to make a sudden inroad attack upon this colony for marauding and other purposes.

    The Alcalde, with the approbation of the people, has refused to deliver up the cannon; and we are satisfied that as soon as Colonel Ugartechea is informed of the fact, he will immediately send a force against this colony at least , thinking us to weak to resist him. We therefore earnestly request you to send what force you can collect immediately to our assistance. You need make no delay about provision, for we have plenty at your service. The time we think is most pressing, and the occasion most urgent.

By order of the committee                                            

G.W.Davis, Secretary

 

Response From San Felipe

   San Felipe de Austin, September 29th,1835.

"The Committee of the Jurisdiction of Austin has received the communication directed to the Committee of  Safety of Mina by you, in the name of the people of Gonzales, under date of the 25th inst. stating that Colonel Ugartechea had made a demand for the piece of cannon at that place, and that the people are justified in believing that this demand is only made to get a pretext to make a sudden inroad and attack upon that colony for marauding and other purposes;" in consequence of which those people request assistance to aid in repelling an attack should one be made.

The present movement of the people of Texas are of a popular and voluntary character in defense of their constitutional rights which are threatened by military invasion of an unconstitutional character. The people are acting on the defensive, and therefore, there cannot be a doubt, that it was correct in the people of Gonzales, under this principle, to detain the piece of cannon which was given to them by the authorities of a constitutional government to defend themselves and the country if necessary.

    On this principle the people of this, and of every other section of the country, as for as this committee is informed, are ready to fly at a moment's warning to the defense of those people should they be attacked. Companies of volunteers have already marched, and more are in readiness, should they be needed, to repel an attack.

    This committee beg leave to suggest that inasmuch as the position taken by the country up to the present, is purely defensive, it is very important to keep this principle constantly in view, and to avoid making attacks unless they should be necessary as a measure of defense.

                                                                                    Yours respectfully

                S. F. Austin     Chairman of Committee.

The Battle of Gonzales October 2,1835

General Orders

After the Battle of Gonzales the Texas Army now was on the march to Bexar with S. F. Austin in command.

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General Orders

                                        Camp, 3rd Sunday Oct. 15th 1835

1. In the case of alarm on the march, the advance rear guard will from in the rear of the center, and will take charge of all the horses and tie them up or hobble them; and in case the army is encamped in a square, the guard will herd the horses in the rear of the encampment.

2. Every man must have a rope tied around the neck of his horse and incase of his not having one, he must  have a hobbling string tied on.

3. Each captain will study detail, daily, one man for every ten, to take charge of the horses of his company, in case of alarm, when mounted, and drive them to the center and deliver them to the guards-- after  performing  which services they will return to their respective companies.

by Morris G. Hall                      

S. F. Austin, Commander in Chief

 

The Battle of Bexar

Gonzales Mounted Volunteer Ranging Company


Convention Hall
San Felipe de Austin Nov. 9th 1835
Mr. G. W. Davis

Sir
The following report and resolution of a Committee appointed by the convention, to report upon expediency of extending the line of rangers, were — day — to the House, read and adopted.
To the Honorable "The Chairman, delegates of The Consultation of all Texas in General Convention ——
Your Committee to whom —commits f reporting on the resolution of Mr. Clements having for its request of extending the line of rangers, have had the advice under Consideration, and beg leave to report the following resolution.
Resolved, that they, recognize the acts of the General Council and that subject for the present line of rangers be extended from the Colorado river to the Cibolo with a company of trusty rangers under the Superintendency of George W. Davis, who shall be governed by the same resolution, and instruction of the other superintendencey here to fore given, and that the said George W. Davis make the peace of rendezvous at the place known by the name of The Big Spring, or head of San Marcus river
Your committee further recommended that the said Superintendent be authorized to draw on Ishu Lott at Washington for, ammunition, or at any other place where public ammunition may be deposited in such quantity as may be by him thought sufficient for the supply of his company.
By another resolution adopted by the Convention it was made the duty of its president to cause the above to be communicated to you for your instruction.
B. T. Archer

 

George Davis commissioned by Henry Smith, Gov. to install Andrew Ponton first Judge and Charles Lockhart as Second  Judge of the Municipality of Gonzales

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To George W. Davis, Esq.

In the name of the people free and Sovereign.

You are hereby appointed a commission to administer the oath of office prescribed by the Original Law of the provisional Government of Texas to the citizens Andrew Ponton as first Judge and Charles Lockhart as second Judge of the municipality of Gonzales. To install them in office and to deliver to them their respective commissions which are herewith handed forwarded to you.

        San Felipe de Austin           Dec.1,1835

Henry Smith  Governor

     Charley B. Stewert, Secretary to executive

 

Governor James W. Robertson to Mathew Caldwell

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  Executive Department

San Felipe de Austin

  To Mathew Caldwell

                    Dear Sir:

                                   General Edward Burleson will place in Judge Ponton's hand $300.00 which you are by order heretofore issued, empowered to draw and appropriate for supplies for the Post of Bexar, and if you have not already read and appropriated it for this purpose. You will on receipt of knowledge of this order, procure from 4 to 6 teams of wagons, and send them to DeWitt's landing for flour, sugar, coffee, soap, candles, barrel pork, etc. for the Post of Bexar. You will immediately report to this department your proceedings and also you will advise Col. Neil of your proceedings, and send him a copy of this order.

                                                      I am your very obedient servant,

                                                            James W.  Robertson

                                                            Acting Governor 

 

George W. Davis Discharge from Texas Army

Gonzales February 12th 1836

This is to certify that George W. Davis served in the Volunteer Army of Texas from September 28th to December 10th amounting to 72 Days and is honorably discharged from the service. Given under my hand this day of the date.

                                                Mathew Caldwell Capt.

 

George W. Davis Appointment as Sub Contractor Feb. 15, 1836

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In virtue of the authority vested in me by the Provisional Government of Texas as Contractor for the troops at and occupying the post of Bexar. I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint George W. Davis of the Municipality of Gonzales Sub Contractor under me to perform for me in my absence all the duties and exercise the powers and authority vested in me by the Commission which I have occupied from the said Provisional Gov't. for the purpose aforesaid, and that the SD George W. Davis is hereby as fully authorized as I myself have been of could do in any way also that he the SD George W. Davis will keep a regular account of his transactions in SD capacity and take vouchers for all his proceedings. And report to the Provisional Government of his proceeding; Also advising the Commandant at Bexar of his doings thereunto concerning. Given under my hand this 15th day of Feb. 1836

                         Mathew Caldwell,    Contractor

 

Receipts For Supplies For The Texas Army

Col. Neil @ Gonzales

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Mr. George W. Davis

                You will Please to issue rations for fifty men for ten days of flour, sugar, Indian meal, and dried beef.

Gonzales March the 6--1836

H. A. Alsbury

                     By Order Acting aid to

Col. J. C. Neil

The Alamo Fell on March 6th, 1836

Capt. Seguin @ Gonzales

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Mr. Geo. W. Davis Sub Contractor for the Post of Bexar You will please to let Capt. Seguin have seven lbs. of flour. Gonzales March 7th 1836

J.C. Neil, Lt. Col. of Artillery 

Mathew Caldwell Family

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Mr. Geo W. Davis Sub Contractor for the Post of Bexar. Sir you please let Mathew Caldwell family have Thirty pounds of flour for their use in his absence, Gonzales March 7th 1836

J.C. Neil, Lt. Col.

Texas Army @ Gonzales

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Gonzales March 8th 1836. Received of George W. Davis, Sub Contractor for the Post of Bexar. Ten Barrels of Flour, One Barrel of Pork, One Barrel of Flour & 1/2 Barrel of Bread- There were Two and a half Barrels of Flour & a half Barrel of Sugar which were issued in rations to the troops at this place by my order as further appear by orders in SD Davis's possession.

J. C. Neil Lt. Colonel of Artillery

March 13th 1836

Gonzales received news of the Fall of The Alamo

The Runaway Scrape

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