He did not think it a difficult thing to cut through this patrol, but the Texans, in their flight, must become disorganized to a certain extent.

Nevertheless it was the only alternative.
The men were drawn up at the appointed time, and Ward told them briefly what they were to do.

They must keep as well together as possible, and the plan was to make their way to Victoria, where they expected to rejoin Fannin.

They gave calabashes of water and provisions to several men too badly wounded to move, and left them to the mercy of the Mexicans, a mercy that did not exist, as Urrea's troops massacred them the moment they entered the church.
Luckily it was a dark night, and Ned believed that they had more than half a chance of getting away.

The great door was thrown silently open, and, with a moving farewell to their wounded and disabled comrades, they filed silently out, leaving the door open behind them.
Then the column of nearly one hundred and fifty men slipped away, every man treading softly.