USA > Texas > A pictorial history of Texas, from the earliest visits of European adventurers, to A.D. 1879. Embracing the periods of missions, colonization, the revolution the republic, and the state; also, a topographical description of the country together with its Indian tribes and their wars, and biographical sketches of hundreds of its leading historical characters. Also, a list of the countries, with historical and topical notes, and descriptions of the public institutions of the state > Part 40
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SIDNEY SHERMAN.
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At this period political excitement ran high, and the small cloud was already visible which portended a fearful civil strife. Perhaps to divert attention from sectional animosities, Houston, on the 20th of April, 1858, introduced a most remarkable resolution into the Senate. It was nothing less than a proposition looking to the establishment of a protectorate over Mexico ! He was a strong advocate of what is called the Monroe doctrine: that America must control the political affairs of her own continent; and he feared that Mexico was about to pass under European domination. In 1848, he had advocated the policy of taking possession of Yucatan, when it was thought that peninsula would fall into the hands of Spain. The fol- lowing was Houston's resolution :
" WHEREAS, the events connected with the numerous efforts of the people of Mexico to establish upon a reliable basis an orderly system of self- government, have invariably resulted in a complete failure; and whereas, the condition of Mexico is such as to excite alarming apprehensions that she may precipitate herself into a wild condition of anarchy; and the more so as she has demonstrated, from time to time, her utter inability to suppress her intestine commotions and to conquer the hosts of bandits with which she is infested; and whereas, the United States of America, on account of the continental policy which they cherish and desire to enforce, can never permit Mexico to be re-subjugated by Spain, or placed under the dominion of any foreign power; and whereas, one of the most important duties devolving upon civilized governments, is to exact from adjoining nations the observance of good neighborhood, thus shielding themselves against impending, or even remote, injury to their border security: Therefore- Resolved, That a committee of seven be raised to inquire and report to the Senate, whether or not it is expedient for the government of the United States of America to declare and maintain a protectorate over the so-called Republic of Mexico, in such a form and to such extent as shall be necessary to secure to this Union good neighborhood, and to the people of said coun- try the benefits of orderly and well-regulated Republican government."
In 1859, Houston again became an independent Democratic candidate for Governor. In his letter of acceptance he said: "The Constitution and the Union embrace the principles by which I will be governed, if elected. They comprehend all the old Jackson Democracy I ever professed or offici- ally practiced." In a circular addressed to his constituents, he said: "I would lay down my life to defend any one of the States from aggression which endangered its peace, or threatened its institutions. I could do no more for the Union. I could wish to do more; for the destruction of the Union would be the ruin of all the States."
Governor Runnels was nominated for re-election by the regular Demo- cratic Convention. Some of Mr. Runnels' supporters were ardent advo- cates for the re-opening of the African slave trade, though the Convention which nominated him refused to endorse that iniquitous measure. After an active canvass, in which Houston spoke in most of the prominent cities of the State, proclaiming his devotion to the Union and his hostility to the re-opening of the slave trade, he was elected by a handsome majority. He, however, found himself embarrassed from the commencement of his admin-
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istration. The Indians were troublesome upon the frontier; incendiary fires occurred in various parts of Northern and Eastern Texas. These were said to be caused by Abolition emisaries, and this intensified the excitement. Houston was a pronounced opponent of secession, and it was soon evident that a majority of the Legislature were in favor of that measure. Houston was willing to co-operate with the border slave States in any measure deemed necessary for mutual protection. But this did not satisfy the Secessionists, who were resolved that Texas should link her destiny with her sister Southern States. The Legislature convened in extra session January 21st, 1861. By common consent, the people had, on the 8th of January, elected delegates to a Convention which assembled at Austin on the 27th of the same month.
Fearing the United States property on the frontier might be seized by irresponsible parties, Houston, on the 20th of January, wrote to General Twiggs, in command at San Antonio, inviting him to turn the property belonging to the army over to the State authorities. In his reply, dated the 22d, Gen. Twiggs said: "I am without instructions from Washington as to the disposition of public property here. After secession, if the execu- tive of the State makes a demand of the commander of the department, he will receive an answer." The property was promptly surrendered to the commissioners appointed by the Secession Convention.
The ordinance of secession was passed on the 1st of February, after which the Convention adjourned. The popular vote was taken on the 23d, and secession prevailed. The Convention re-assembled on the 2d of March. It was now too late to oppose secession, but Houston, among his friends, ad- vised Texas to resume her former position as a Republic, and refrain from attaching herself to the Confederacy which had just been formed at Mont- gomery, Alabama. The Convention, however, on the 5th of March, passed a bill uniting Texas to the new Confederacy. All State officers were re- quired, on the 14th, to take the oath to support the new government. This Houston refused to do. He was joined by Mr. Cave, his Secretary of State. The two were displaced from office. On the 16th, Lieutenant-Governor Clark was inaugurated Governor. Houston made no serious opposition to retiring to private life. He, however, published an address to the people of Texas, in which he said: "I protest, in the name of the people of Texas, against the acts of this Convention, and pronounce them null and void." * " I love Texas too well to bring civil strife and bloodshed upon her. To avert this calamity, I shall make no endeavor to maintain my au- thority as Chief Executive of this State, except by the peaceful exercise of my functions. When I can no longer do this, I shall calmly withdraw from the scene. * * Fellow-citizens, think not that I complain of the lot which Providence has now assigned me. It is, perhaps, meet that my career should close thus. I have seen the statesmen and patriots of my youth one by one gathered to their fathers, and the government which they had reared rent in twain, and none like them are now left to reunite it again. I stand almost the last of a race who learned from them the lessons of human free- dom."
Two days after sending forth this appeal, the Legislature met, and Hous-
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ton, still claiming to be Governor, sent in a message. Referring to his de- position from office, he said : " The Executive can, therefore, but await your action, and that of the people. If driven at last into retirement, in spite of the Constitution of the State, he will not desert his country, but his prayers for its peace and prosperity will be offered up with the same sincerity and devotion with which his services were rendered while occupying public sta- tion." As the Legislature promptly recognized Clark as Governor, Houston soon left the Capital and retired to private life. He still, however, watched, with great interest, the progress of events. When martial law was pro- claimed in Texas, he addressed an earnest protest to Governor Lubbock against this anti-republican expedient.
In Houston's retirement, he was not happy. He looked upon secession as an accomplished fact; he viewed with inexpressible grief the war measures adopted by both contending armies ; he feared that republican institutions would be superseded by two centralized despotisms, in which the liberties of the people would be swept away; and the prospect saddened him. His last appearance before a public audience was in the city of Houston on the 18th of March, 1863. We copy the opening paragraph of his speech:
"Ladies and Fellow-Citizens: With feelings of pleasure and friendly greeting, I once again stand before this, an assemblage of my countrymen. As I behold this large assemblage, who, from their homes and daily toil, have come to greet once again the man who so often has known their kind- ness and affections, I can feel that even yet I hold a place in their high re- gard. This manifestation is the highest compliment that can be paid to the citizen and patriot. As you have gathered here to listen to the sentiments of my heart, knowing that the days draw nigli unto me when all thoughts of ambition and worldly pride give place to the carnestness of age, I know you will bear with me, while with calmness, and without the fervor and elo- quence of youth, I express those sentiments which seem natural to my mind, in the view of the condition of the country. I have been buffetted by the waves, as I have been borne along time's ocean, until shattered and worn I approach the narrow isthmus which divides it from the sea of eternity be- yond. Ere I step forward to journey through the pilgrimage of death, I would say that all my thoughts and hopes are with my country. If one impulse arises above another, it is for the happiness of these people; the welfare and glory of Texas will be the uppermost thought, while the spark of life lingers in this breast."
Houston's health was now sensibly declining, and he died on the 26th of July, 1863. In announcing his death, the Houston Telegraph used the fol- lowing language: " Let us shed tears to his memory, due to one who has filled so much of our affections. Let the whole people bury with him what- ever of unkindness they had for him. Let his monument be in the hearts of those who people the land to which his after years were devoted. Let his fame be sacredly cherished by Texans, not less to his distinguished services than to their own honor, of which he was always so jealous and so proud."
To Houston Texas owes a lasting debt of gratitude. It was under his leadership that our independence was secured at San Jacinto. During his entire life, he labored to preserve for educational purposes our immense
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public domain. For thirty years his energies were exerted to promote the welfare of our great commonwealth; and yet his bones, without a stone to mark the place, sleep beneath our soil.
Comparisons have been instituted between Austin and Houston, though, in fact, there are few points of analogy in their character or providential work. Austin was the man to introduce population into a wilderness, or- ganize society, and found a State; and nobly did he accomplish his work. Houston was the man for the revolutionary period-to fight the battles of liberty and establish permanently the great principles of the American Con- stitution. We can but indulge in a feeling of regret that he was removed from the earthly scene while the clouds of civil war obscured the political horizon. But he now, doubtless, from his higher state, with clearer vision, views with delight the new era of prosperity upon which his beloved coun- try has entered.
HOWARD, GEORGE T .- Was Captain of a Ranger company in Hays' and in Bell's regiments, during the Republic; was severely wounded in the fight with the Comanches, in the Council House, in San Antonio, in 1840. In 1852 he was Indian Agent, and accompanied Major Neighbors to Santa Fe. He died in Washington City in 1865.
HOWARD, VOLNEY E .- Came from Mississippi to Texas; was a member of the Annexation Convention, and also represented Bexar county in the State Senate in 1846; from 1849 to 1852 he represented the Western district in Congress. At the close of his Congressional term he was sent as Gov- ernment Agent to settle land claims in California, and never returned to Texas.
HUBBARD, RICHARD B .- Was born in Georgia, in 1834; graduated at Mercer University in 1851, and at Harvard Law School the next year. With his father's family, he came to Texas in 1853, and settled at Tyler. In 1856 he was appointed United States District Attorney ; in 1858 he repre- sented his district in the Lower House of the Legislature; in 1860 he was an elector on the Breckenridge ticket, and also a delegate to the Charleston Convention. At the breaking out of the civil war, and after having com- manded the Twenty-second regiment of Texas infantry, he was promoted to the command of a brigade. In 1872 he was an elector on the Greeley ticket; in 1873 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor, and re-elected in 1876. On the first of December, 1876, Governor Coke resigned, and Mr. Hubbard became Governor.
HUNT, MEMUCAN .- A native of North Carolina, came to Texas after the battle of San Jacinto, landing at Velasco during the excitement about the release of Santa Anna. General Hunt filled a number of public offices, having been at one time Secretary of the Navy; he was also, in the pompous language of diplomacy, " Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary, from the Republic of Texas to the United States of Amer- ica;" and he was the Commissioner on the part of Texas, to run the
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boundary line between Texas and the United States. He met Mr. Overton, the Commissioner on the part of the latter government, at the mouth of the Sabine, but they made poor progress in running the line. Mr. Overton contended that according to the treaty, the line should come to the west line of the Lake, while Mr. Hunt insisted upon running it in the middle of the Lake. The controversy lasted until the appropriation on the part of Texas was exhausted, when the Commission dissolved, leaving the question still unsettled. After annexation, General Hunt removed to New Orleans, and engaged in mercantile business.
HUNTER, WILLIAM L .- Came to Texas in 1825, as one of the New Orleans Greys; was in the Fannin massacre, but almost by a miracle, escaped death. He was a member of the Annexation Convention; has filled the office of Chief Justice of Goliad county, in which he still lives.
HUNTER, JOHN DUNN .- When a mere boy, was taken captive by the Indians ; had no recollection of his parents or childhood home. He was about eighteen years of age when he was discovered by a party of Missouri fur traders. One of these traders, by the name of John Dunn, took a deep interest in the rescued boy, who took the name of his friend in addition to that of Hunter, which the Indians had given him. Young Hunter acquired a very fair English education, and traveled extensively in the United States, and also visited England, where he received marked attention from persons belonging to the nobility. While in England he published an account of his life and of the customs of the American Indians. After his return he still interested himself in Indian affairs. In 1825-26, the Cherokees"sent Dunn as their agent to the city of Mexico, to secure a home for their tribe in the Province of Texas. He obtained a pledge that the Indians should remain in undisturbed possession of their homes on the Neches river; but he failed to secure proper titles to the lands. Fearing that they might be disturbed, Hunter, Fields, and a few other chiefs, entered into a league with Edwards and the party of Fredonians, in resisting Spanish authority. But Colonel Bean, the Spanish Indian Agent, succeeded in detaching most of the Indians from this ill-advised league. But Hunter, Fields, and two or three companions started, in good faith, to join the forlorn hope at Nacogdoches. When near the Anadaqua village, while Hunter's horse was drinking in a creek, he was deliberately shot by one of his treacherous companions. The first shot was not immediately fatal, and the wounded man implored the murderer to spare his life. " It is hard," he said, " thus to die by the hands of my professed friends." The appeal was in vain. Another fatal shot closed the career of this extraordinary man.
HUSTON, FELIX .- Arrived in Texas after the battle of San Jacinto. In the summer of 1836, when Rusk resigned the command of the army, to take his seat in Houston's cabinet, General Felix Huston succeeded to the com- mand. Soon afterwards President Houston sent General A. S. Johnston out to assume the command. This produced a personal controversy be- tween the two Generals. A duel was the result, in which General Johnston
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was so severely wounded as to be unable to take command of the army. The duel was fought February 7th, 1837, at Chalk Bluff, on the Lavaca river. Huston remained for some years in Texas, and commanded in the battle of Plum Creek, in the summer of 1840. After this he returned to Mississippi and resumed his planting operations. He died near Natchez, in 1857.
INGRAM, IRA .- Was the first alcalde of Matagorda municipality, in 1834; in 1836 he was a member of the Texas Congress, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
INGRAM, SETH .- Was one of Austin's surveyors; laid out the town of San Felipe, and surveyed most of the land on Old Caney and Peach creeks, and the Lower Colorado river; died in Matagorda, in 1857.
ISBELL, WILLIAM .- A pioneer in Texas, had been on Indian campaigns during the colonial period; was one of the storming party that took San Antonio, in 1835; a private in Captain Heard's company, in 1836, at San Jacinto. During the Republic was a member of Captain Mark B. Lewis' Ranging company ; lived in Burleson county; became blind in 1856, and died in 1877.
JACK, PATRICK C .- A lawyer; came from Alabama to Texas in 1832, and was soon afterward arrested by Colonel Bradburn, at Anahuac. In 1837-8 he was in the Texas Congress, and soon after the close of his Congressional term was appointed a District Judge. He died of yellow fever, in Hous- ton, August 4th, 1844.
JACK, WILLIAM H .- A brother of the above, came to Texas in 1830; was a member of the Committee of Safety of Columbia in 1835, and also con- nected with the army of the West the same year; fought as a private at San Jacinto; the same year was in Burnet's cabinet as Secretary of State. At a later period he represented Brazoria county in the Texas Congress. He contracted the yellow fever in Galveston, and was taken down with the disease after he reached Runnel's plantation, on the Brazos, and died August 20th, 1844, sixteen days after his brother had died of the same disease in Houston.
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JOHNSON, FRANK W .- Was born in Virginia, in 1794; came to Texas in 1826; in 1830 was surveyor in Ayish district ; in 1831, alcalde at San Felipe ; in 1832 he was elected commander of the forces assembled at Anahuac to resist the arbitrary measures of Bradburn, and to release Jack, Edwards, and other prisoners; in 1835 was Adjutant, first to Austin and then to Burleson; commanded one of the storming parties that entered San Anto- nio, and, after the death of Milam, was in command of the whole party when the city surrendered. In the spring of 1836, he, in company. with Grant and Morris, was preparing for a descent upon Matamoras, when his small party was completely surprised at San Patricio, by the Mexicans
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under Urrea. The Mexican citizens of the place had been notified of the approach of Urrea, and advised to keeps lights burning in their houses, so that their friends might not interrupt them. As it happened, that night Johnson was writing till a late hour, and by this means, he, and two or three companions escaped, and made their way safely into the interior of Texas. Colonel Johnson is still living in Austin.
JOHNSON, MOSES .- Treasurer of the Republic under Jones' administration. Died of yellow fever at Lavaca, in 1853.
JOHNSON, M. T .- A native of South Carolina; came to Texas in 1839, and settled in Shelby county, which he represented in Congress during' the Republic; in the Mexican War he was Captain of a company; afterwards Lieutenant Colonel of Bell's regiment of rangers, and in command of the district of Red River; in 1860, by order of Governor Houston, he raised a regiment of rangers for frontier defence. In 1866, Colonel Johnson was a member of the Reconstruction Convention. His health was failing and he died in May, after the adjournment of the convention, in the city of Austin.
JOHNSTON, ALBERT SIDNEY .- A native of Kentucky; graduated at West Point, in 1826, and was assigned to duty in the Sixth Infantry. After hav_ ing served in the Black Hawk War, in 1832, he resigned his commission in the army; in 1836 he came to Texas, and early in 1837 was appointed by President Houston commander of the army in the West. He was to super- sede General Felix Huston. A personal difficulty occurred between the two generals, resulting in a duel, in which Johnston was severely wounded. Unable to assume command, he resigned, and opened a plantation in Bra- zoria county. When Lamar became President, Johnston was appointed Secretary of War, and in 1839 organized the expedition for the expulsion of the Cherokees from East Texas. In 1846 he was elected colonel of the Second Regiment of Texas volunteers in the Mexican War. At the expiration of their term of service, he was re-commissioned in the regular army and ap- pointed Inspector General. In 1849 he was Paymaster, and soon afterward assigned to the command of the Second Cavalry, then doing duty on the Texas frontier. For a number of years Colonel Johnston made his home in the city of Austin. In 1855, he went with General Harney to the plains, and the next year, Colonel Johnston was assigned to the command of Salt Lake, where his energetic movements completely overawed the Mormons, and prevented a serious outbreak among them. In 1860 he was transferred to the Department of the Pacific, with headquarters at San Francisco. The next year, he resigned his commission in the army, with the view of offer- ing his sword to the Confederacy. IIe came overland, through Texas, and wasat once assigned to the command of the army then before Bowling Green, in Kentucky. He rightly conjectured that, with the opening campaign in 1862, the Federals would attempt to penetrate the Confederacy through Kentucky. He therefore strongly fortified a line of posts, beginning at Columbus, and including Island No. 10, in the Mississippi river, an l ex- tending east to Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson, Bowling Green, Mill Springs
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and Cumberland Gap. The success which had crowned the Confederate arms in the East, inspired those in the West with great confidence. They believed that Nashville would be as easily protected as Richmond had been. General Johnston, however, was not so sanguine. The army was only about half as large as he expected to find it; nor was it in as thorough a state of orgaization as the army in Virginia. He had a much longer line of defence than that in front of Richmond; and in a territory penetrated by rivers nav- igable by gun-boats.
As Johnston expected, the campaign of 1862 opened early and vigorously. The first point in his lines assailed was Mill Springs. This was captured by General Thomas, January 19th ; the Confederate General Zollicoffer having been killed in its defence. Just at this juncture, there was an extraordinary rise in the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. A flotilla of gun-boats, under the command of Commodore Foote, ascended the Tennessee, and on the sixth of February attacked and destroyed Fort Henry. Immediately descending the stream, he was able to ascend the Cumberland for a combined naval and army attack upon Fort Donelson. On the 16th of February, after a three- days' fight, this important post, with its garrison of 12,000 men, surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant. General Johnston's headquarters were still at Bowling Green ; but the loss of these important posts rendered a retreat to a new line of defence a matter of absolute necessity. He accordingly fell back to Corinth, Mississippi, leaving the most of Tennessee in the hands of the Federals. To the Confederacy, this was an irreparable loss; and it was keenly felt. The newspaper press, and it was said some of Mr. Davis' Cabinet, reflected severely upon General Johnston. These criticisms keenly touched his sensitive nature, and he determined, when an opportunity offered, to retrieve his reputation, though no imputation had ever been cast upon his personal courage or patriotism. Grant, flushed with his victory at Donelson, hastened up the Tennessee to Pittsburg Landing, far in advance of the support expected under General Buel, and Johnston seeing this, by forced marches, hoped to fall upon Grant before he could receive reinforce- ments. It was a bold move and successfully executed. The Federals were taken completely by surprise. During the fight on the first day, April sixth, the Confederates captured 3,000 prisoners and a number of battle-flags, and at night had possession of the battle-ground. Late in the afternoon, while Johnston, in an exposed position, was giving some orders, he received a rifle-ball in his leg. Had he attended promptly to his wound, it would not necessarily have been mortal, but it was neglected, until, faint with the loss of blood, he had to be lifted from his horse. He soon afterward expired; dying on the battle-field, as a true soldier would prefer to die. Grant massed his forces on the bank of the river, under the protection of his gun- boats; that night his reinforcements arrived, and the next day the tide of battle turned and the Confederates, under Beauregard, retreated. The re- mains of General Johnston were temporarily buried in New Orleans. In 1866, the Legislature of Texas made an appropriation to have his remains brought to his old home in Austin for final interment in the State burying- ground, in that city. Albert Sidney Johnston was a man of marked ability, amiable disposition, unaffected modesty, dauntless courage, and irreproach-
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