Col. O. M. Roberts, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 11.1, Texas
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[124] mile from the city, but still continued their fire. Their arms are superior to ours. We have barricaded the plaza and some of the main streets. We would be glad to receive reinforcements, but are determined to do our utmost in defense of our homes. The greater part of my command are at La Para, 25 miles north of here. A messenger has been sent to them. They are expected tonight. When they arrive, I propose to move out and attack the enemy. I have dispatched a courier to Colonel Giddings at Eagle Pass, requesting him to reinforce me as soon as possible. If the enemy from below join those now near the town, I shall be compelled to evacuate, unless I am reinforced. Our ammunition, I fear, would not be sufficient to make a long fight. We shall do our best. I would suggest to you to make an effort to place your command in the enemy's rear. In that event he would be in a bad fix. The reason of our not being notified and in readiness is that the Yankees traveled no road. They had good guides and encountered scarcely a man.

Luckily a Mexican had seen the Yankees, and crossing the Rio Grande came in haste to New Laredo, then re-crossed the river and informed Colonel Benavides. He had but a short time for preparation, but he repelled the attack, and the Yankees passed down the river. Ford's camp was over 100 miles from Laredo. When the news reached him of the attack, it was known that the United States forces had retreated from Laredo. From Laredo to Brownsville was about 210 miles, and from his camp to Brownsville about 165 miles. Colonel Benavides, in going up to hasten his force to Laredo, left Capt. Cristobal Benavides with his company in the plaza, with positive orders what to do in the event the enemy should defeat him, as follows: ‘There are 5,000 bales of cotton in the plaza. It belongs to the Confederacy. If the day goes against us, fire it. Be sure to do the work properly, so that not a bale of it shall fall into the hands of the Yankees. Then you will set my new house on fire so that nothing of mine shall pass to the enemy. Let their victory be a barren one.’ The opportunity has been furnished, by giving this extended