Wolfbrother thats very cool, to actually hold the original journals. I read that book also.  I had the good fortune to go on a Parks Service (?) tour of the battleground with a Sons of Confederate Vets group.  saw where the supply wagons were burned, walked on the battle site.
i don't know how things could have turned out different.  the Texans were a long way from any supplies.  Maybe they should have hunkered down in Santa Fe.
Anyway, what a fantastic story. They dreamed big in those days.