April 9, 1863, The Ranchero (Corpus Christi, Texas)
First Letter from Trimmer.
Agua Poquito, Tex.,}
April 4, 1863. }
Editor Maltby:– . . . The capture and release of one E. J. Davis and hanging of one Montgomery and his release, constituted the all-absorbing topic of conversation at Roma when I left there, a couple of days since. A thousand vile rumors were afloat, but none of them bore the impress of truth. A war with Mexico was upon every tongue. The invasion of Mexican soil, the hanging of Montgomery could only be atoned for by the shedding of Texan blood, was the general feeling. My impression is that the financial link at present binding Brownsville and H. Matamoros together will be found hard to break, even though the military on both sides of the brave old river should resolve themselves into a community of blunderbusses; a thing not at all unlikely. Whether or not the Fort Brown military concocted the grand scheme of trying to make of Judge Davis what the Almighty never designed him to be; viz. a man in any respect troubled with greatness, or whether they simply approved the undertaking, or only gave it a quasi-recognition, I know not and care less. Of one thing, however, I am well satisfied, that “it was worse than a crime, it was a blunder.” . . .
Trimmer.