USA > Texas > A new history of Texas; being a narration of the adventures of the author in Texas, and a description of the soil, climate, productions, minerals, tons [!], bays, harbours, rivers, institutions, and manners and customs of the inhabitants of that country; together with the principal incidents of fifteen years revolution in Mexico; and embracing a condensed statement of interesting events in Texas, from the first European settlement in 1692, down to the present time: and a history of the Mexican war > Part 22
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CHAPTER XVI.
Acrisis had now arrived and war with all its horrors was about to commence in earnest ; it was a question to be decided by the sword, whether one part of the Mexican confederacy could thus wantonly trample under foot the Constitution and laws they had solemnly sworn to sup- port and not cease to leave desolation in their train, until they were reveling in the Halls of the Montazumas. as the organs of these pinks of chivalry had exultingly pro- claimed. The Mexican people with a highly honorable unanimity, headed by Santa Anna, were at length convine- ed that all hopes of a peaceable adjustment were at an end, and as a last resort the implements of destruction were prepared and the line of March taken up for the plains of Texas, which were soon to be dyed with human blood.
San Antonia (Alamo) and Goliad were yet in possession of the Texan troops, and 3000 Mexicans were ordered to rendezvous at Metamoras, in order to operate, first against the two former posts and afterwards wherever an enemy was to be found. On the 21st of February 1836 Gener- als Sessma, Filasola and Cos were ordered to lead one division of the Mexican army on San Antonia, Generais
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Urrera and Gary a second against Goliad, and the third division commanded by Santa Anna in person, was to move on as circumstances might require.
A time had now arrived that would test the courage of those chivalric gentlemen who had for many years been sowing the seeds of discord and who had been so wonderfully brave when no enemy was at hand, but now when his Mexican highness was coming in battle array, could not be found at the post of danger, but left the United States volunteers to shift for themselves and waste their blood with in the gloomy walls of the Alamo, and on the more disastrous plain around the fortress of Goliad where the first organized attack had been made upon the Mexi- can soldiers, who had long protected the colony. The first division of the Mexican army appeared before San Antonia on the 23d, and of the progress of events im- mediately after. some knowledge may be gained by sev- eral letters which were written by the commanding offi- cer, Col. Travis; the first, on the day after the Mexicans appeared, and the last bears date the 3d of March 1836. I am besieged (says Travis) by a thousand Mexicans, and have sustained for 24 hours a continual bombardment and cannonade, without any loss, and the enemy have demand- ed a surrender, otherwise the garrison is to be put to the sword ; this summons I answered with a cannonshot. and our flag still waves from the walls. Victory or death is my motto, and I will never surrender nor retreat.
In other letters to friends in Texas, he says, with only 140 men I am here in fine spirits, having defended the Alamo for 10 days against a force variously estimated at from 1500 to 3000 strong, and unless I get relief from my countrymen, I will perish in its defence. With 500 more men I could drive the Mexicans beyond the Rio Grande and visit vengeance on the enemies of Texas,
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whether these are bold invaders or those pusillanimons knaves who have preached loud for war but have not the souls to fight when their services are needed.
On the 3d of March, he informed the convention then in session at Washington, that from the 24th of Febuary the enemy had kept up a constant cannonade and were busy encircling the fort with entrenchments, that for want of aid there was much to depress the spirits of his men, con- tending at such fearful odds of 140 against a well appoint- ed army of several thousand strong and that a reinforce- ment was then entering the town, which from the shouts of the soldiers he supposed was commanded by the Mex- ican President. That he had repeatedly sent expresses to head quarters and to Col. Fannin at Goliad for aid. but had received none, and that unless he was soon reinforc- ed, he would be compelled to fight the Mexicans on their own terms. But, he continues, I feel confident that the determined valour and desperate courage of my men. will not fail them in the last struggle and although we may be sacrificed, the victory will cost the enemy so dear that it will be but little better than a defeat. Will those who have instigated this war and thrust us in the front rank now desert us? If such is their valor I will perish in defence of this post and my bones shall reproach my countrymen for their cruel neglect.
The foregoing was the last billet known to have been penned by Co !. Travis ; him and his little band fell to a man, and there is not a doubt but their lives were dearly sold and the victory gained over them but little better than a defeat; that such men should have been deserted and left to battle alone. reflects deep and lasting disgrace upon many who long had been clamorous for war. and in the language of the lamented Travis, his own and his
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brave comrades bones will be an everlasting disgrace, to those who deserted him in this pressing extremity.
Everything connected with the fall of the Alamo is deemed interesting, and well do I remember the emotions created in my own bosom, when reading soon after, a partial ac- count of this dreadful tragedy, and to obtain correct in- formation respecting the investment of this fort and the last earthly acts of 140 of my countrymen I was at much pains, and have felt the deepest solicitude. With the exception of Mrs. Dickinson and Col. Travis' servant, not one of the American party escaped to tell the tale, but each and every man battled with a heroism worthy of a better cause, and when gazing on the ruins of the Alamo. the true hearted American will drop a tear to their memo- ry and mourn that such men should not have met a bet- ter fate.
During part of my sojourn in Texas, Mrs. Dickinson resided at Houston, and feeling as I did a melancholy in- terest in her history, I was introduced by a friend and had different and repeated conversations with her, touching the events at the Alamo and her own forlorn and distressing situation there. It was not however to be expected that she could detail very correctly every occurrence, and feelings of delicacy forbid me to enquire particularly respecting her treatment while a prisoner in the Mexican camp. She corrobrated in substance the foregoing letters from Col. Travis, and was positive, that every man in the garrison was slain, and among thie num- ber her own husband and only friend, except one helpless child now at the time I write about five years old ; with this infant and Col. Travis' black man she was escorted to the Texan head quarters, then at Gonzales on the Gau- dalope River, Santa Anna sending his own servant to as- sist her safe. When Santa Anna subsequently fell into
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the hands of the Texans, the journal of his private Secre- tary was captured too, from which I was permitted to make a few extracts and insert them here for the infor- mation of the reader. "Feb. 27th 1836. The President went out to reconnoirter, was observed by the enemy and shot at twice. 28. News of a reinforcement coming to the enemy by the Road from Labahia. 29. In the after- noon the battalion of Allende took post at the east end of the Alamo. March 1st. Early in the morning Gen. Lessma wrote from the Mission De La Espader, that no trace of enemies could be discovered, his cavalry and in- fanty returned to camp at 12 o'clock at night; in the course of the day the enemy fitted two 12 pounders at the President's house, one of which took effect. 3d. The enemy fired a few rounds at the City.
I wrote to Mexico and requested that my letters should be sent to Bexar, and that before three months the cam- pain would be ended. Official dispatches were received from Gen. Urnea, announcing that he had routed the col- onists of San Patracia, killing 16, and taking 21 prisoners. The bells were rung. The enemy attempted a sally in the night, at the sugar mill, but were repulsed. 4th, com- menced firing carly, which the enemy did not return, but fired a few shots at us in the afternoon. A meeting of Generals and Colonels was held, and after a long confer- ance. Gens. Cos, Castrillion and others were of opinion that the Alamo should be assaulted after the arrival of two 12 pounders expected on the 7th. The President. and Gen. Ramisers and myself thought the cannon should not be waited for. In this state things remained, the coun- cil not coming to any definite conclusion. The assault took place on the night of the 7th, and some circumstan- ces attending it were narrated to me by a gentleman for-
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merly an officer in the Texan army, which he had obtained from Santa Anna's servant, who after the battle of San Jacinto was cook for Gen. Houston. The statements of this servant were generally relied on by those who knew him, and he contradicted in the most positive terms the oft repeated rumor that the dead bodies of the Americans were burnt. On the night of the 7th, Santa Anna order- ed this servant to prepare and keep refreshments ready all night, and he stated that Santa Anna appeared cast down and discontented, and did not retire to rest at all. That accompanied by his private Secretary the General went out about 11 o'clock and did not return until 3 in the morn- ing ; that he served them with coffee of which Santa Anna took but little, and seemed much excited, and observe!, to Almonte, that if the garrison could be induced to sur- render, he would be content; for said he, if they will not, I well know, that every man before the dawn of day must, unprepared, meet his God. Bat what more can I do ; my summonses, said he, are treated with disdain ; it appears to me the only alternative presented is to assault the garrison; we cannot delay longer here wasting the resources of the nation and any termination of the af- fair will relieve, me of a load of anxiety. He further stated that at 4 o'clock Santa Anna and other, offi- cers left the house, and very soon a tremendous discharge of cannon told that the work of death was began ; he saw rockets in awful brilliancy blazing through the darkness of the night, and the walls and grounds of the Alamo reflected the light so that from a window he could plainly perceive columns of Mexican troops around the fort and ascending the walls on ladders, and that the whole interior of the Alamo was perfectly illuminated, as he supposed, by the firing of the Americans within ; and that the old servant feelingly remarked that he liked master Santa
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Anna, but that when he heard the thunders of the artillery and saw blazing rockets gleaming through the air, he thought of Master George Washington and old Virginia, and prayed to God that the Americans might whip.
Before day light the firing had ceased and every thing was again wrapped in silence and gloom, when Santa Anna and his staff returned, one of them remarking that the victory had cost more than it was worth and that many such would ruin them. At day light this servant who had seen Col. Crockett at the city of Washington many years ago, and perhaps Col. Travis and Bowie, was ta- ken to the fort to designate their bodies ; he done so, and found no less than 16 dead Mexicans around the corpse of Colonel Crockett and one across it with the huge knife of Davy buried in the Mexican's bosom to the hilt. He stated that these three bodies were interred in the same grave separate from all the rest, and that he heard the Mex !- can officers say that their own loss was about 1200 men.
A street in the city of Houston perpetuates the name of Travis, and another that of his unfortunate comrade Col. Fannin, who commanded at Goliad ; but it seems the Tex- ans can forget honest Davy Crockett. for not a street or even a stone recalls to mind the brilliant career of this singular man, who commenced life in poverty and obscurity, but somehow wore his way to conspicuous stations, if not to an honorable fame ; and had he remained with his wife and children in Tennessee instead of espousing the cause of the war party in Texas, he probably would have es- caped a premature death as well as the unenviable charge that he was a victim of unhallowed ambition. But I can feel no desire to indulge in feelings of censure against the living or the dead, who were engaged in this unhappy affair at the Alamo : the facts as far as I have been able to
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learn them are fairly stated and the ashes of the heroes should rest in peace.
All around them a mighty pile arose, And iron grated gates their strength oppose ; To each invading step-and strong and deep, The battled walls stood proud-the ditch sunk deep; Quick aroun i the fortress ran a limpid stream,
And high above all, the Warden's turret gleamed.
Gen. Houston was now in command of all the Texan for- ces and had pitched his tent at Gonzales on the Gaudalope; but when he received intelligence of the fall of the Alamo. he expected the advance and probably the concentration of all the enemy's forces and deemed it prudent to fall back to the Colorado, having first ordered Col. Fannin to abandon Goliad and retreat to Victoria. For some cause unknown to me Col. Fannin remained at Goliad until the 14th of March, when one division of the Mexi- can army appeared before that place and immediately com- menced an attack. Col. Fannin's whole force was about 400 mnen, and they seemed to have thought them- selves quite a match for the whole division of Mexicans whom they met on the plain, and handled rough enough until dark separated the combatants with 17 killed and wounded of the beseiged, and about double the number of Mexicans, according to most accounts respecting the af- fair.
Early next morning Col. Fannin abandoned the fort . with the intention of effecting a junction with the com- mander-in-chief. This advanced guard under the com- mand of Col. Horton speedily etlected a crossing of the river, but the main army attempting to ford lower down were delayed for some hours, which gave the Mexicans time to mature their plan of operations ; the termination of which was most fatal for the retreating foe who
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after marching but 10 miles found it necessary to halt, when . the guard was some distance in advance .- In this situation they were pursued and attacked, and the guard which was detached expressly to give alarm of any approaching enemy, was cut off from the main body and that surrounded by about 1,600 Mexican troops.
Here again the Texans, or rather the volunteers from the United States gave fresh proof of an invincible cour- age, contending with four times there number from 2 o'clock until dark when the contest. as if by mutual consent, ended for the night. In this engagement the Mexican loss was reported at 600 killed while that of their opponents was only 7 men killed, but such statements cannot always be relied on as true, although a subsequent battle at San Jacinto terminated in far greater dispropor- tion than even this. At dawn of day the national air of the Yankees (Yankee doodle) proclaimed that our flag was still there and the contest on their part was about to be re- newed with increased vigour when a flag of truce sudden- ly appeared in the Mexican camp. The belligerant com- manders held a conference between the two armies, and it is generally believed that a treaty was drawn up and signed by both parties providing for the present treat- ment of Fannin and his command as prisoners of war ; the volunteers to be shipped at the expense of the Mexi- can government to the United States as soon as possible, and the few Texans exchanged for Mexican prisoners.
Under such circumstances they were escorted back to Goliad, and on the third day a tragedy was acted that surpasses in cruelty and barbarity anything recorded in the whole annals of warfare, leaving only six out of four hundred defenceless men to tell the sad story of the fate of their comrades : one of these six I became intimately acquainted with, while in Texas and his statements were
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substantially as follows :- On the morning of the 17th of March the prisoners were paraded, when each heart leaped for joy at the approaching prospect of freedom and perhaps many were already anticipating a happy meet- ing with relatives and friends ; but when they had marched about one mile from the fort they formed into small hol- low squares encircled on every side by armed Mexicans. when suddenly the work of murder was bogun-the Americans had been disarmed ; were entirely at the mer- cy of these banditti : that the report of fire arms and the groans, shricks and prayers of the victims resounded and reverberated in solemn and awful confusion-that he bound- ed over the prairie he did not know how, or where, and made good his escape.
For this horrid affair, Santa Anna is deservedly blame !!. Although the laws of war are stern and uncompromising and this war was attended with many aggravating circum- stances, yet Santa Anna's conduct here reflects deep and lasting disgrace npon an officer whose general con- duct before had indicated the possession of an elevated mind and heart, full of mercy. Doubtless he expected to strike terror into the breasts of his enemies and drown rebellion in fear; but he mistook the people with whom he was now contending, for the massacre at the Alamo and the butchery at Goliad proved dragon's teeth indeed and produced thousands of arined men ready for the fight. ยท
The 17th day of March was the death knell of Santa Anna, and all his greatness, and his name will go down to posterity branded with eternal infamy for murder- ing his brave but misguided fellow creatures, who were defenceless and completely in his power. It is said he was goaded to desperation, but this if true is no justifica- tion ; that man who can under any circumstances sport
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Baltic of San Jacinto.
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with the misfortunes of his fellow creatures and trample in the dust those at his mercy is guilty of the blackest of all in the dark catalogue of crimes, and should be forever detested by all mankind whose hearts are not wholly in- sensible to one generous throb. .
Gen. Houston, who as before stated had retreated to to the Colorado river had remained at the same post un. til the 26th of March, his forces daily augmenting, and had up to this time increased from 300 to upwards of 1800 men, who were now longing for an opportunity to take summary vengeance for the late appalling acts of the Mexican chief. The Mexican army now approached, and one division under the command of Gen. Sesma was near Houston's head quarters when the General conclud- ed his position was insecure and he suddenly retreated to the Brassos. This movement was received with surprise and indignation at the time, and has since been the theme of much angry discussion, and under all the circumstan- ces, was probably neither wise or expedient ; for although the achievements of the army under his command were eventually of the most brilliant kind, yet many believe that the campaign might, with equal results, have been ended on the Colorado, without mortifying the feelings of his men and creating a general distrust in him, and without the additional expense of prolonging the war. Certain it is that his whole force was extremely anxious to meet the enemy, and that in numbers they were in about equal proportion to what they were afterwards at the memorable field of San Jacinto, where only one division of the enemy had to be encountered so much after this retreat was the Texan army reduced by desertions from his standard, this crusade to the Brassos being the only cause of complaint,
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1
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
IT would be superfluous to narrate here all the circumstances connected with the annexation of Texas, or to give details of the difficulties with Mexico.
On the 15th of June, 1845, a communication was addressed to ! General Taylor, by the Secretary of War, informing him that on the 4th of July the convention of the people of Texas would pro- bably accept the proposition of annexation, and instructing him to advance to the mouth of the Sabine, or to such other point on the Gulf of Mexico as he might judge most convenient for an embarkation at the proper time for the western frontier of Texas. He uses the following language: "The point of your ultimate destination is the western frontier of Texas, where you will select and occupy, on or near the Rio Grande del Norte, such a site as will consist with the health of the troops, and will be best adapted to repel invasion, and to protect what, in the event of annexation. will be our western border. You will limit yourself' to the de- fence of the territory of Texas, unless Mexico shall declare war against the United States."
As was anticipated, the convention of Texas, on the 4th of July, 1845, by an unanimous vote, accepted the terms of annexa- tion offered by the Congress of the United States.
At the same time, General Taylor received a letter from our minister in Texas informing him of the acceptance of the terms of annexation proffered by Congress. On the next day, he left New Orleans with a portion of his troops for western Texas. and arrived at St. Josephi's Island ( Aransas Inlet) July 25th, and soon after established his quarters at Corpus Christi.
General Taylor, with his army, left Corpus Christi for the Rio Grande, on the Sth of March, 1846, and arrived at his encamp- ment, March 2Sth. On his march he was met at two or three points by Mexican troops, but offered them no molestation .- When he arrived at Point Isabel he was met by a deputation of 50 armed citizens, with some functionary at their head, who pre- cented him a paper, protesting against his occupying the country. The General did not stop to discuss the matter with them, but told them very concisely, "He would give them an answer when he reached Matamoras." He had the Point surveyed, and a work was thrown up with a view to its defence.
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THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
Surprise and Surrender of Captain Thornton's Command.
On the evening of the 23d of April, General Taylor's spies * brought in intelligence that about 3.500 Mexicans kad crossed the Rio Grande to the Texas side above the American fort, and that abont 1500 of the same had crossed below. Gen. T. imme- diately despatched a squadron of dragoons to each place of crossing for the purpose of' reconnoitering them and ascertaining their position. The squadron ordered below was in command of Capt. Ker, the one above was commanded by Capt. Thornton and composed of Capt. Hardec, Lieuts. Kane and Mason, with sixty-one privates and non-commissioned officers. The former commander, Capt. Ker, on arriving at the point where it was supposed they had crossed, found that the report was false, that they had not crossed there but had all crossed above, which was afterwards proved by Capt. T.'s command being surprised, in which Lieut. Geo. Mason with nine men were killed and two wounded. The wounded were sent to Gen. Taylor's camp, the army having no hospital in the field. Capts. Thornton, Hardee and Lieut. Kane miraculously escaped, together with the balance of the non-commissioned officers and men, but were captured and taken to Metamoras. The circumstances which led to the surprise are these: After Captain Thornton's command had pro- ceeded un the Rio Grande about twenty-four miles, and as was supposed, to within about three miles of the Mexican camp, the guide refused to go any farther. and stated for his reason that the whole country was infested with Mexicans. Capt. Thornton, however, proceeded on with his command about two miles when he came to a farm-house, which was enclosed entirely by a chap- arral fence, with the exception of that portion of it which bor- dered on the river, and this was so boggy as to be impassable. Capt. T. entered this enclosure through a pair of bars, and ap- proached the house for the purpose of making some inquiry, his command following him. When they had all entered the enclo- sure, the enemy having been concealed in the chaparral, about two thousand five hundred in number. completely surrounded him and commenced firing upon his command. He then wheeled his command, thinking that he could charge through the enemy and pass out where he had entered, not however without a con- siderable loss. This he attempted, but did not succeed. the ene- my being too strong. At this instant. Capt. Hardee approached him for the purpose of' aivising him how to extricate themselves. The fire of the enemy still continuing. Capt. Thornton's horse, having received a shot. ran away with him and leaped the chap- arral fence and plunged over a precipice, where he fell, with Capt. T. under him, where the latter remained insensible for five or six hours. This casualty placed Capt. Hardee in command. who attempted with the residue to make his escape by the river,
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