JOSEPH GAINES FERGUSON²⁰, b. January 10, 1814, Kentucky/unmarried-twin to Alpha Jack Ferguson²¹; d. March 28, 1836, died at Goliad, TX - massacred.

On March 2, 1836 Joseph wrote the following letter from Goliad to his brother Alpha Jackson; Dear Brother--I am now within the walls of this town, waiting for the enemy, which we are daily expecting, for they have already besieged San Antonio, only 100 miles distant, and report tells us that 2,000 troops are coming on to attack this place. Our number of men consists of about 400, all of which are volunteers from the States, with the exception about thirty regulars. Our commander is Col. Fannin, and I am very to say the majority of the soldiers don't like him, for what cause I don't know, whether it is because they think he has not the interest of the country at heart, or that he wishes to become great without taking the proper steps to attain greatness. On last Friday, Feb. 26, we started to San Antonio to attack the enemy at that place, but we only got two miles from town and camped for the night and next morning a council of war was called, when it was concluded that we had better return here end put the town in a better state of defense, which, upon the whole, was good policy, not only in that respect, but others, one of which is this, all of our provisions in the bread line was at Copano and Dimmit's Point, forty miles below here, and it was necessary that we should stay in order to keep the Mexicans from cutting off our supplies, which no doubt would have been done, and they may do it yet, for there are no troops at either place to hinder them from doing so. Provisions are very scarce and have been. I have had to live three days at a time on bull beef and coffee, but now our coffee has given out, and, without new supplies, our bread will be out in a few days, and then it will be beef an the time. We are not prepared by any means to stand a siege, inasmuch as we neither have ammunition nor provisions, so you see we must make decisive battles. I think I stand a good chance for being Sergeant Mate to the army at this place as soon as there is something to do in that line. The situation of the country is of a high, dry character, no local causes for disease of any kind, and the land is first rate. Though with all these advantages, it is no country for me. My dislike to the country is a want of society and government, both of which will hardy be realized shortly, for it is filled up with people who are for their own emolument, to the exclusion of others, and when that is the case you may judge of things as you see proper. My time service will be out April 19, and unless things shall change for the better, if I should live, you will see me as soon after that time as I can get to where you live. It is often I think of you an, wish to enjoy your presence, but it may be so that we may never meet on earth again, yet I pray God we may all meet in heaven. Yes, Jack, though I am surrounded by wicked en, yet I still try to serve the Lord Tell Nancy that I have heard Tom James and David Wright, they are both living and doing pretty well. I have not got enough space in sheet Paper to write you much more, so farewell. May God bless and preserve you all is my prayer for Christ's sake. J.G. Festoon (Source: The Garland News, March 4, 1910)

Was killed at the massacre at Goliad, Texas in the battle to free Texas from Mexico on 28 March 1836. Just 22 days before he was due to be released from duty as stated in his letter to his brother.