My dear Madam:
I have been reminded on several occasions that I should do what today I am doing. And that is to try to get into the proper hands some more definite and correct information concerning one of those who died in the Alamo at its fall. I refer to my paternal grandmother's younger brother --

Most sincerely yours, Lurena Kevil Bradley (Mrs. L. L. Bradley)

Elizabeth Connell, sister of David C. Connell, married Jacob Mitcheson in Washington County, March 25, 1841. The Mitchesons settled at the town of Bartlett on the line of Williamson and Bell counties. Elizabeth's brother, David C. Connell of Washington County, Texas married Sarah Jane Clark, September 23, 1845. They had daughter Sarah Connell who married Reed.

Enclosed is an audited military claim for E. F. Mitchusson. Although there is little in the way of genealogical information for this claim, it does establish a relationship between E. F. Mitchuson and one Jacob Mitchusson, who served as attorney for the "heirs in law" of the former. Jacob was evidently a brother of the deceased. The records of the War Department also establish that Mitchusson was a doctor. The records go on to establish that Dr. Mitchusson joined the Texan Army before San Antonio de Bexar on or about 30 November 1835, and that he was wounded during the siege of that city. We also have a claim for a "J. R. Mitchusson" for the service on the the Somervell Expedition. The name "E. F. Mitchson" appears on the roll of Captain John Chenoweth's Company, February, 1836.

In checking the records of this office, I find that Edward F. Mitcheson, by Certificate 546, received a grant of 1/3 league of land in Panola County, which was patented to his heirs June 13, 1853. The Certificate recites that he arrived in the Republic previous to the Declaration of Independance, was a single man and entitled to the above grant. The Certificate is dated April 27, 1838.

By Certificate No. 5052, Edward F. Mitchasson received a grant of 1,920 acres of land in Van Zandt County, which was patented to his heirs December 20, 1845. This Certificate states that he served faithfully and honorably in the Army of the Republic and having been killed at the Alamo was entitled to the above mentioned grant. This Certificate is dated December 12, 1838.

By Certificate No. 506, Edward F. Mitchison received a grant of 620 acres of land, 320 acres in Atascosa County and 320 acres in Runnels County. This Certificate also recites that he fell at the Alamo and was entitled to this grant. The Certificate is dated July, 1853 and patent was issued to his heirs April 20, 1873.

MITCHESSEN, EDWARD F. -- arrived 1835; Citizenship Lists; Entrance Certificate 1835; Physician; b. ca 1807 Virginia; died 6 March 1836 at Alamo; came from Missouri and went with the Texas Army to San Antonio.

MITCHESSEN, JACOB -- Initiated into Milam Lodge #2 on 18 June 1838; administrator of estate of Edward F. -- his brother; died 25 June 1849 of cholera.

[This excerpt is taken from the account of Jesse Badgett. It was published in the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock on April 12, 1836 and appears to be the source which mistakenly identified Dr. Edward F. Mitchusson as being from Virginia--a mistake which was long repeated.]

Title: LATEST FROM TEXAS-DIRECT
Text: Mr. Jesse B. Badgett, who was one of a small party who left Little Rock, for Texas, last fall, and who was a member of the late convention at Washington, the Seat of Government of Texas, returned to this place, on Sunday evening last, direct from that country, and has communicated to us the following highly interesting war news from the theater of war.
San Antonio, as heretofore stated, was taken by storm, by a overwhelming force, commanded by Gen. Santa Anna, in person, early on the morning of the 6th ult. The whole force of Col Travis, at its capture, was only 183 men, (14 of whom were on the sick list, and unable to take part in the battle.) They were ALL SLAIN. The seige lasted 14 days and nights, and, from the best information that could be obtained from a Mexican deserter, the Mexican loss during the siege amount to 881 killed and about 700 wounded... The following names of such of the officers who fell in defending San Antonio, as are recollected by Mr. Badgett:...Dr. Mitcherson of Va....

Letter from James Bowie to Henry Rueg, Natches August 3th [sic] 1835

[This puts Edward F. Mitchusson in Texas by at least August 1835, and he appears to have been trusted by Jim Bowie. We can wonder how long he had known Bowie at this time. Had he served with Jim Bowie before?]

Sir I have made my tour through the Indian villiages and make this my Report. The Shawnees were all in a drinking frollick which I Learned before reaching them and did not call on them, I then went to Big Mushes villiag where I found him and all his People drinking and dancing, waited on them one day to get sober but they did not and I then Proceded to Bowls villiage which I found in good disposition he called his war chiefs and councelors togeathor and after a counsel with them he agreed to go himself and all his men on the Proposed [deleted: trip] campaign, and amediately dispateched his couriers to all the Cherokees and Shawnees to meet at his house in four days from today in order to march with me...[goes on to tell of abuses, particularly a trader name Holland Coffee at Coffees trading house--now the southwestern part of Tillman Co., OK--who instructed Indians to kill Mexicans, and ok'd their killing Americans]...The Cherokees are anxious that you should send with Them as many of the Mexicans that live at Nacoagdoches as you can--for more of the particulars I refer you to Doctor Mitcherson who will bear this.
Yours with respect,
James Bowie
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