The Ranchero [Corpus Christi, TX], October 27, 1860
The arrival and return of squads of men to and from this point, who belong to this mysterious order, and the apparent mismanagement on the part of their leaders, has been a matter of much comment in our community. The knights who arrived here seemed to be in as much need of light upon the subject as ourselves. The following letter written by Gen. Bickley, dated Austin, Oct. 9th, and published in the Galveston News of the 20th, may serve to partially enlighten our readers upon the subject:
I regret very much that it was not in my power to remain long enough in Galveston to address your citizens in behalf of the K. G. C. I desired this, because I feel perfectly confident that the principles involved in the success of this organization have not been fully appreciated in Southern Texas, or I should not have met with so much opposition from a portion of the press.
The obstacles which I have had to overcome have been greater than my most sanguine friends could have anticipated. For instance—many of the most prominent men in the organization believe that no attempt should be made until the first of December, at which time we may be more needed at home than abroad. Again, it has been reported that no provisions can be had in Texas to sustain our men while organizing, and this has rendered the men timid about remaining upon the frontier long enough to collect our forces. Many sanguine friends have gone to the Rio Grande without being duly prepared and these must necessarily become discouraged. To procure the arms and necessary materials with which to open the campaign, I have had to traverse every section of the Southern States—to combat misrepresentation, and build up an influence for the order, before anything could be done. This work has fallen altogether on me. Besides, the recent failure of Gen. Walker in his expedition to Honduras, and the silence of our Government in reference to the intervention of the British, has caused many to fear that our task would be more difficult than had been previously supposed. The difficulty of transporting large quantities of materials and troops across the country, and the approaching Presidential contest, have all shown how necessary to success is the element of time. Arms that ought to have been at our rendezvous have not arrived, and agents have to be sent in search of them. Corn must be shipped from the Ohio river and the force in this State simultaneously assembled. All this is the work of time. To throw ourselves in a body of 400 or 500 men only across the river would insure disaster. This will not do—if I cross, it must be with every element of success in my hands, viz: men, arms, and material. We shall cross at the earliest possible moment, and I only ask our friends and the press to give us that assistance which we ought to expect of them. Give us a few weeks, and all will come out right. I shall thoroughly canvass the State, and then, if Texas refuses to assist me, I cannot succeed, for I am only one man, and am strong only as I am surrounded by strong men.
The Matamoros correspondent of the N. O. Crescent, seems to take a vice versa view of this would be warlike order. He writes:
Talking of war puts me on my guard to caution all you folks not to be caught in Gen. Bickley’s new humbug—the Golden Circle. The authorities here do not know hide nor hair of the matter, and it will meet with resistance from all classes. What foundation Gen. Bickley has for his movement is past my comprehension, for I know that he is not authorized to raise men on behalf of the Mexican Government. I think that all engaged in it are on a fool’s errand, and that Gen. Bickley is only manoeuvering the public out of its money.