Thank you Poboy, just learning as I go.
Continuing...
Smith's one and only expedition as Captain that we know about seems a sort of FUBAR endeavor of the sort that a young and chaotic government might order: Republic of Texas Secretary of War William Fisher ordered Smith to travel to Laredo on the Rio Grande and assert Texas' claim to that community by attaching a Texas flag to tallest point in town; the spire of a Catholic church there.
Exactly what difference this act was intended to make in the greater course of events is unclear, especially given the fact that Smith commanded only twenty men at that time. Furthermore the whole mission was apparently both ordered and undertaken without anyone informing the President of the Republic, Sam Houston.
Stealth was apparently of the essence; leaving on March 6th Smith's force took ten days to cover some 150 miles, travelling off of the road "through bleak country", arriving at Arroyo Seco some five miles east of Laredo. Surprise was lost almost immediately however, they were sighted by a part of five well-mounted Mexicans, who fled towards Laredo to raise the alarm.
The hour was drawing late and Smith made camp for the night, expecting to be attacked in the morning.
Birdwatcher
