17. Bowie fought at the Battle of Concepcion in 1835
On October 16, 1835, Stephen Austin commanded a force of about 400 volunteers, camped on Cibolo Creek. Bowie joined his force there, appointed to Austin’s staff as a Colonel of Volunteers. William Barret Travis joined the regular army formed by the provisional government of Texas and commanded by Sam Houston. Austin intended to attack a Mexican force at San Antonio de Bexar, though Houston opposed the idea. Austin dispatched Bowie to scout south of the town for another campsite. Bowie engaged Mexican patrols during his mission, driving them back. On October 26 Bowie, with about 90 men, was attacked by a 400-man Mexican detachment at the Battle of Concepcion.
Following the battle, which ended with the Mexicans withdrawing, Bowie and his attachment remained in the area south of San Antonio. James Fannin, with another detachment, remained nearby. Austin moved his command to the Alamo Canal. About 650 Mexican troops in San Antonio de Bexar were effectively besieged by the end of October, though the Texans were beginning to feel the effects of poor rations on morale. In December, after several skirmishes between the contending forces, the Mexicans were reinforced by about 650 additional troops, though most were inexperienced recruits. Bowie fought in several skirmishes, including the interception of a column which became known as the Grass Fight.