Fort Goliad, Oct. 30th. 1835

To Gen. Stephen F. Austin, Com. in Ch. of the Army of the People,

Dear Sir,

Since the date of my last (28th inst.) by hands of Maj. Geo. Southerland, who left this on that day, in charge of the teams, dispatched to Head Quarters with provisions, events have transpired here which call for a free and full exposition.

On the receipt of yours of the 23d ins. prohibiting any volunteer the option of leaving this fortress without permission from the Commandt., under the penalty of being reported and published a deserter, it was publickly read on parade to the men under my command. On some, it had a salutary effect, and produced a change of purpose, highly favoarable to the success of the campaign. On others, it either had no effect, or, if any, a very different one, from that intended.

Yesterday, three officers, Dr. Erwin, Surgeon; Lieut. David M. Collinsworh, and Lieut. A. H. Jones; and three privates, Milton Hicks, Edward B. Wooten and-Atkinson, mustered and left this fortress, not only without permission, but in open contempt of the general order above quoted, and took up the line of march for Head Quarters, near Bexar. This occurred about 4 o. c. in the afternoon; and a little after 9 in the evening, five of the party returned, and four, Lieut. Jones, Woottin, Hicks, and Atkinson, came into the fortress, reporting the loss of one of their number—Lieut. Collinsworth. Not considering themselves under my command, no official report was made to me. Their verbal statement, however, is, that they were fired on by a party, lying in ambush by the road side—that the fire was instantly succeeded by a shrill yell, at which their horses were greatly alarmed—one of the pary was thrown from his horse—one lost his gun and all the others, one excepted, were carried some distance before they could stop their horses. They further state, that, at the crack of the enemy's guns, Lieut. Collinsworth was seen to fall from his horse and heard to utter the exclamation—"0 Lord"—Jones and Wootten say they were in favor of returning to the scene of action, but as the others were unwilling to do so, they all returned, without firing a gun, and without making an effort to relieve, or bring off their wounded companion. He was therefore left on the ground, to the mercy of the enemy.

Early this morning, the five survivors returned with 8 or 10 others, to the scene of action, or rather, of attack and flight, for the purpose of reconnoitering and bringing in the dead.

It would be doing much injustice to confound these volunteers, indiscriminately together. That Doctor Irwin originated, and headed the mutiny; and drew the others, either directly, or indirectly into it, proof abundant, and of the most respectable character, can be furnished from here, on the shortest notice. The conduct of this man too, on former occasions, has been highly improper, unmilitary, and very rash.

Oct. 31st. 1 o.c. P.M.—Since writing the above, the party that left yesterday morning, have returned with the dead body of the deceased, David, M. Collinsworth—He was shot in the neck, scalped, and mangled in the face with a tomahawk or hatchet.

The Deceased was buried to day, with the honors of War. From the statements of those who returned with the Body, there can be little doubt that the assailants were savages. The number quoted, varies from 6 to 10—The assailants did not even wait to divest the body of its apparel— The cap only, was missing. His gun was probably taken, as it was not found. His belt, shot-pouch, etc. etc. and pocket money $7.37 1/2 were found on him, and returned. These facts furnish their own comment, and supersede the necessity for any remarks by me.

A recruit of 20 men arived here last evening from Bay Prairie. An Iron, Six pound Cannon, with a small supply of ammunition, from Matagorda, has been forwarded by order of the Committee there, in compliance with my request, and is now at Guardeloupe Victoria.

I have ordered a detachment of 35 men, under the Command of Adjutant Ira Westover, to proceed forthwith to Le Panteclan, the garrison on the Nueces, reduce and burn it. The arms and Ammunition if possible, will be brought off; and, if practicable, the public horses taken, and driven to this place.

The citizens of this vicinity have furnished 20 horses for this campaign —and those of Guardeloupe Victoria, have made a tender of thirty head of Beeves for the public service.

I am informed, that, Capt. Savriago has left S. Felipe, on parole, granted by Zavalla and others—and that he has gone to Matamoros; but I have ordered the making of every officer at the Nueces prisoner, if possible. I am informed, that, a party of 25 or 30 Comanches have been seen near Baing's(?) in the neighborhood of Guardeloupe Victoria.

On the reduction of Bexar, the earliest instructions concerning the disposition of the Arms and ammunition at this place, are particularly solicited. Your instructions too, relative to the property left in the houses from which the flour, sugar, coffee, candles, soap, liquors, etc. etc. have been taken, the title to which is contested, or is supposed by some to belong to private individuals—by others, to the nation.—are earnestly solicited.

P. Dimitt Comg [Rubric]