USA > Texas > Tarrant County > Fort Worth > History of Texas : Fort Worth and the Texas northwest edition, Volume I > Part 23
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not cross. If they had dispatches, one of the men could swim over unmounted, which was done. The dispatch, on being read by one of the company, was found to contain an order on the alcalde for the cannon, and, instructions to the officer who bore it, if the cannon was not delivered voluntarily to take it by force. The answer to this was 'come and take it.' The contents of this reply being communicated to the officer, Lieutenant Castañeda. he denied having orders to fight. He was then informed that the alcalde was out of town, and would not be in before morning, to cause further delay. The same or following day, Col. J. H. Moore, of Fayette, Edward Burleson, and Capt. R. M. Coleman. and J. W. E. Wallace, of Columbus, arrived from the Colorado with 60 or 80 men, which increased the force to about 180 men and boys. During the delay in getting assistance from the Colo- rado and Brazos, our spies, Graves and Fulcher and an Indian (Shawnee or Cherokee) kept Captain Martin informed of every movement of the Mexicans. The Indian swimming the river at night and recrossing (and as he disappeared on the arrival of assist- ance, no doubt but he was employed by the Mexicans).
"At this time, the Mexicans at night took position on the mound, and during the day near the timber on the river.
"The number of men now required a reorganization. An election being held, J. H. Moore was chosen colonel, J. W. E. Wallace, lieutenant-colonel, and Edward Burleson, major. After several feints as though they intended to cross the river, ascer- taining our number; for the purpose of greater safety, or to await reinforcements, the Mexican commander removed his encampment seven miles up the river Guadalupe, to the Williams place. Colonels Moore, Wallace, and the officers were very active in making preparations to attack them at that point. The field piece in dispute was hastily mounted on a pair of cart wheels procured for the occasion by Valentine Bennett, afterwards quar- termaster. Slugs were forged for the gun, and lances for a com- pany by who labored incessantly, without the expectation of pay. Every preparation that could be made being ready at 8 o'clock P. M., orders were given to cross the river, and rendezvous at the residence of Mrs. De Witt. who with her family had removed to Gonzales at the request of the returning spies. At 12 or 1 o'clock the whole force were mustered to listen to a patriotic address, and a fervent appeal to the God of battles. in its behalf and for its success, by the Reverend Doctor Smith. as chaplain. The little army, full of hope and high in spirit, took up the line of march, through a dense fog, for the enemy's camp : calculating to surprise him, but was prevented by the continued barking of a dog that had followed, causing the vanguard to be fired upon by the enemy's picket-guard.
"Orders were then given to take position in the edge of the timbered bottom and remain until daylight. After sunrise the fog was still so thick that a person could not be distinguished 100 yards. About the time orders were given to move, the sound of a horse's
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feet were heard approaching at fast speed, and a voice calling out 'Don't shoot, don't shoot !! ' which turned out to be a Doctor Smithers, who said he had been pressed into service to act as sur- geon to the command at San Antonio, with orders to say that Lieu- tenant Castañeda had sent him to inform Colonel Moore that he had no orders to fight. A council was held, and it was decided that the Mexicans should surrender at discretion or fight ; and, Smithers dis- patched to communicate the fact to his commander. The Mexican again returned Smithers to inform Colonel Moore that he desired an interview, which was agreed to. The fog having cleared away. the Mexican cavalry were seen posted in a triangle on the brow of a hill, about 400 yards distant, with their bright arms glittering in the sun. Colonel Wallace, taking with him Lieutenant Mason, proceeded to the half way ground, where, after some moments, he discovered Lieutenant Castañeda, who was informed by Colonel Wallace that as he had refused to surrender, we would fire upon him as soon as both parties reached their respective commands; after which, a wave of the colonel's hand caused a match to be applied, and the Mexican officer and his command received the first shot fired in the Texas revolution for the constitution of 1824. A second round found them about-faced, making a precipitate retreat towards San Antonio. It is but just to say that mong those who were engaged actively in the foregoing drama were Governor E. M. Pease. Vice President Edw. Burleson, Col. Amasa Turner, afterwards of the regular army, Col. J. C. Neill, who were conspicuous on the field of San Jacinto on the 20th and 21st April, 1836, and in the councils of the Republic and State of Texas, and many who at this late day cannot be remembered."
The ladies, always patriotic, rendered every aid in their department to forward operations. The company flag, made and presented to Cap- tain Martin's Gonzales company by them, was a white ground with a black cannon in the center, and the motto "Come and take it!" above and below.
The news of the defeat reached San Antonio on the 4th of October. when Colonel Ugartechea, as an old friend of Colonel Austin, addressed him a letter in which he reviewed the events af the past few months. declared that the government had nothing but the most benevolent inten- tions toward Texas, and attributed to the land speculators the alarming rumors that had excited the people. But the agitators must be sur- rendered to the authorities, and the cannon must be returned to San Antonio. The government could not recede from its demand in these two particulars without loss of dignity. He had ordered Castañeda to retire from Gonzales, he said, in order to await an answer from the political chief of the department of the Brazos to the request for the cannon. The colonists in arms at Gonzales supposed that Castañeda had retired through fear, and had followed and attacked him.
"A report was made to me of that event, and that, besides the citi- zens of Gonzales, 300 men from San Felipe had collected and as I did not wish to see his small force compromitted, I ordered it to with- draw, and shall march tomorrow, with the knowledge of the Com-
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mandant General, with a force of every description of arms, suffi- cient to prove that the Mexicans can never suffer themselves to be insulted.
"There are in the colony some individuals who, like yourself, know me to be frank in my proceedings, and also that I possess the character and energy characteristic of my country. I may therefore assure you that if you make use of your influence with the political chief to have the gun delivered up to me, wherever it may meet me -- from that spot I will return immediately ; if it is not delivered I will act militarily, and the consequences will be a war declared by the colonists, which shall be maintained by the Government of the Nation with corresponding dignity.
"I am convinced of your good sentiments in favor of your adopted country, notwithstanding your sufferings, and have no doubt that in favor of that country you will continue to make fresh sacri- fices and co-operate effectively in removing the evils which threaten, for which important purpose you may reckon upon me for the use of my influence with the Supreme Government and with the Com- mandant General, and I can assure you, if peace should be sincerely established and unalterably so, the introduction of troops into the departments will be dispensed with. I am your friend; likewise a friend to the colonists; if I have been sometimes obliged to fight with them, it was in absolute fulfillment of my duty, but in person- alities I have always treated them as a gentleman should, both before and after fighting with them. I have observed the same conduct with as many as have entered into this city, where they still remain, notwithstanding they have not behaved well in Gonzales towards the Mexicans."
This engagement at Gonzales did much to unite the people and end their hesitation. Resistance had now become an accomplished fact and the question was no longer debated. The volunteers who had been on the march to intercept Cos at Copano, but who turned aside to Gonzales when they heard of trouble brewing there, persuaded William H. Whar- ton, who was one of their number, to return to Brazoria and take advan- tage of the occasion to stimulate the excitement of the people. In the performance of this mission Wharton made liberal use of the printing press at Brazoria. On October 3 he issued a broadside headed :
Freemen of Texas To Arms !!! To Arms !!! Now's the day. and Now's the hour !
In this circular he included a letter dated "Camp of the Volunteers. Friday night, 11 o'clock. October 2. 1835," and signed by David Ran- dom. William J. Bryant. J. W. Fannin, Tr .. F. T. Wells, George Suther- land. B. T. Archer. W. D. C. Hall. W. H. Jack. William T. Austin, and P. D. McNeel. It was addressed to their "Fellow-citizens" and urged them to repair in all haste to Gonzales "armed and equipped for war even to the knife." To this Wharton added a letter from John H. Moore, written from Gonzales on October 1 and giving conditions there up to that time. The circular closed with the following letter from Wharton himself :
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"Fellow-Citizens :
"In accordance with the request of the Volunteers, I proceed to inform you that I parted with them at midnight, on Friday last under march to join their countrymen at Gonzales. They were to a man in excellent health, and spirits. It is now ascertained that Gen. Cos is in La Bahia. It is said that he has with him 800 pair of IRON HOBBLES for our benefit. If Texas will turn out promptly, he will be the first man to wear a pair of his own hobbles. In the language of the caption of this article 'now's the day and now's the hour.' Five hundred men can do more now than 5,000 six months hence. San Antonio can be starved into a surrender in ten days, if there are volunteers enough to surround the town and cut off their supplies. The inhabitants seldom raise enough for their own consumption, and 800 troops being thrown upon them, has brought the place to the door of starvation. Bread is out of the question with them, and they have no hopes of obtaining meat, except eating their horses or pillaging from the colonists. The volunteers are determined never to return until San Antonio has fallen and every soldier of the Central Government has been killed or driven out of Texas. One great object of the volunteers is to intercept Cos between La Bahia and San Antonio. After this, if enough of our countrymen assemble, they will take San Antonio by storm-if not they will surround the place-cut off their supplies and starve them into a surrender. Let all who can turn out, and that immediately-Let no one say that business detains him; for what business can be so important as to crush the enemy at once, and thereby put an end forever, or at least for some time to come to this unholy attempt to bring us under the yoke of Military Des- potism, or to expel us from the country. If St. Antonio is not taken, it will be a rallying point where they will in a few months con- centrate thousands of troops. If it is taken they will have no foot- hold among us, and the power of the nation cannot re-establish one. Fellow-citizens : there are many fighting our battles more from sym- pathy, and from a detestation of oppression than from any great pecuniary interest they have in the country. These generous indi- viduals should be sustained and encouraged in their magnanimous efforts to render us a service. Arrangements are making in Bra- zoria and Matagorda to send them supplies of Provisions and Am- munition, etc. Columbia and San Felipe ought to, and I have no doubt will do the same. If subscription papers are started. the people will liberally contribute. Let me again implore you to turn out promptly and universally and repair to Gonzales. In this case we will conquer, and that suddenly. Ours is no rebellious or revo- lutionary or voluntary warfare. It has been forced upon us. Jus- tice, liberty, the constitution, and the god of battles are on our side. and the proud and imperious Dictator, Santa Anna, will be made to feel and know from blood bought experience that a people who have adopted the motto of their ancestors, 'Liberty or Death,' will crush and laugh to scorn his tyrannic attempt to enslave them. This campaign will but little interfere with the Consultation which is truly
VOL. 1-11
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indispensable to us at present. If the war is over they will assemble at the place appointed ; if not, let the members equip themselves for battle, repair to the camp and in a short time they may enjoy the proud satisfaction of holding the Consultation within the walls of San Antonio. I will leave Brazoria for the camp at Gonzales on to-morrow and would be glad that as many as could equip themselves by that time would bear me company. Those who cannot be ready to-morrow should continue to prepare. Their services will be valu- able, if they can join us even ten or fifteen days hence. I feel every confidence that there will be within a few days upward of 800 American Volunteers at Gonzales.
"WM. H. WHARTON."
"Brazoria. October 3, 1835."
At the same time Austin, likewise, was using the Gonzales affair to effect organization. He dispatched Mosely Baker and F. W. Johnson to East Texas to urge the volunteers of that section to march westward, and addressed a stirring circular to the committee of Nacogdoches :
"San Felipe de Austin, October 4, 1835.
"War is declared against military despotism. Public opinion has proclaimed it with one united voice. The campaign has opened. The military at Bexar has advanced upon Gonzales. General Cos has arrived and threatens to overrun the country.
"But one spirit, one common purpose, animates every one in this department, which is to take Bexar, and drive all the military out of Texas before the campaign closes.
"There are about 300 volunteers at Gonzales at this time, and there will be upwards of 500 in a few days.
"It is confidently believed in this quarter, that the people of the department of Nacogdoches will turn out, and join the Army of the People now in the field, and facing the enemy.
"Arms and ammunition are needed; we have more men than guns. Could not some muskets be procured from the other side of the Sabine ? * A few wagon loads of muskets and fixed ammunition would be of the utmost service at this time. Could not volunteers also be had from the United States? * Those * * who now step forward, may confidently expect that Texas will reward their services.
"That distinguished and virtuous patriot, Don Lorenzo de Zavala. * has just arrived from his residence on San Jacinto, and is now here, at the house of the chairman of this committee. * * He also approves very much of the position they have taken against military despotism, and of the circular of this committee of the 19th ult.
"This committee relies on you to forward copies of this com- munication to San Augustine and the other committees in that quar- ter, and also to send the enclosed papers (circulars of this committee, of the 19th ult. and 3d inst. and public proceedings of other com- mittees) to some printer in the United States for publication, in
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order that the public may be generally informed of the present state of affairs in Texas.
"An express has been sent to San Jacinto and Trinity. It would, however, be important for that committee to communicate with the people of Trinity, and of Bevil's settlement, as it inspires confidence to know that the whole country is acting in union, and with one and the same spirit and purpose. This, as I before observed, is to take Bexar, and drive the military out of Texas before the campaign closes.
"Respectfully, your obedient servant, - "S. F. AUSTIN, Chairman of the Committee."
As a temporary head was required to give direction to these hasty measures and movements, the Central Committee at San Felipe proposed that one member from each committee of safety should be appointed to repair to San Felipe de Austin without delay, and form a permanent council. The proposition was accepted, and a council organized, of which R. R. Royal was elected president. This plan was suggested to the committee by Colonel Austin, who was regarded as a natural chief and who was looked to for orders and advice.
We will now return to the Texas army at Gonzales. There were several aspirants for the command of the army, but they were unsolicited. Austin was requested to repair to Gonzales. On his arrival at that place, he was elected commander-in-chief ; Edward Burleson was elected colonel of the first regiment.
Before Colonel Austin arrived at Gonzales, it had been determined by the volunteers to capture Bexar and Goliad. On the 12th of October, the army took up the line of march for Bexar, crossed the Guadalupe River and encamped on its west bank. Before leaving Gonzales, how- ever, it was decided by a public meeting in that place to request the Con- sultation to adjourn until the 1st of November, as there were many of the members-elect in the army, and the others were at that time invited by General Austin to join the army and assist in taking Bexar.
A detachment of 100 men had been sent to Victoria under the com- mand of Major Ben. F. Smith and Captain Alley.
In the meantime Capt. George Collinsworth, with some forty or fifty of the citizens of Caney and Matagorda marched upon Goliad. The advance reached the San Antonio River at a late hour of the night on the 9th of October. Scouts were sent forward to reconnoiter ; the others halted and waited the arrival of the main force. The scouts, on their return, found Col. Benjamin R. Milam, who escaped from Monterey. where he had been held a prisoner since his arrest with Governor Viesca. Having participated in the war of Mexican independence he had acquaintances and friends in Monterey. He was allowed by his guards to go to the river and bathe whenever he chose to do so. He prepared to escape; his friends assisting and furnishing him with provisions. When his arrangements were completed, on a dark night, he escaped his guards, and made his way, by unfrequented paths, to the Rio Grande. He traveled day and night until he crossed the San Antonio River in the neighborhood of Goliad. Greatly worn down from loss of sleep and
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fatigue, he threw himself down in a mesquite thicket among the high grass to rest his weary limbs. While thus reposing, he was aroused by the tramp of approaching horses. He at once prepared to defend him- self, supposing those approaching to be his enemies, and determined to surrender his liberty with his life. However, his surprise was turned to joy when he recognized the approaching party by their language to be not Mexicans, but his own countrymen. The meeting was alike gratify- ing to all. The scouts explained their business and invited the colonel to join them, which he did cheerfully. They returned to the main body. and with guides, Milam one of them, they proceeded on their march. The little party was divided, one division being led by Milam, and entered Goliad at different points. On entering the town, they first attacked the quarters of the commandant, Lieutenant-Colonel Sandoval. The sen- tinel fired on them, and immediately afterward was down, the door of the commandant's quarters was then broken down with axes, and he surrendered. The surprise was complete, and the body of the garrison in the fort on being ordered to surrender did so without the firing of a gun. In addition to the sentinel who was shot, three of the Mexican soldiers were wounded. The Texans had one man slightly wounded. Twenty-five Mexicans were made prisoners, the balance having escaped in the darkness of the night.
This brilliant little affair resulted in the capture of military stores of a value estimated at $10,000, together with several pieces of cannon and 300 stand of small arms, which were greatly needed by the Texans. The capture of Goliad also cut the communication with Copano, the nearest port through which General Cos received supplies and reinforcements.
A laconic report of this affair written by Captain Collinsworth at 8 o'clock of the morning after reads as follows :
"I arrived here last night at 11 o'clock and marched into the fort by forcing the church doors, and after a small fight they sur- rendered, with three officers and twenty-one soldiers, together with three wounded and one killed. I had one of my men wounded in the shoulder. They have dispatched couriers for troops to several points, and expect I shall need your aid ; there are plenty of public horses near here, but I have not sufficient force to send after them and protect myself. Come as speedily as possible."
A somewhat fuller account, written on the 11th by Ira Ingram to the Matagorda committee of safety, was published in the Texas Repub- lican of October 24. He says :
"We mustered at Captain Hatche's on the evening of the 6th inst .. and elected G. M. Collinsworth Captain, J. W. Moore First, and D. C. Collinsworth Second Lieutenant. On the 7th we proceeded to Guadalupe Victoria, were cordially received. and there rested until the 9th. We were fifty-two strong, at 12 we had effected a crossing of the Guadalupe, and taken up the line of march for this place. We reached the crossing of the San Antonio River, one mile below the town, about 10 at night, sent a deputation of Juan Antonio Padilla ( who had joined us a little this side of La Vaca) Benj. R. Milam (whom we found encamped on the east bank of the San Antonio) P. Dimmit and Doctor Erwin to demand of the civil
.
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authorities a surrender of the town. About 11 Doctor Erwin re- turned, and informed us that we had to fight. We then proceeded along the bank of the river, until we came between this and the quartel. The plan of attack was here communicated and the force disposed of accordingly. The plan was executed with utmost suc- cess. All conducted well. It would be extraordinary indeed if among fifty odd men, nearly all untried, there should not be some difference of conduct in a first engagement. The attack was made by storm, and in thirty minutes the quartel was ours.
"Captain Collinsworth merits the highest praise-the other officers merit also the confidence of every man. The fruits of this enter- prise are twenty-one prisoners-four officers, one colonel command- ant, one captain, two lieutenants-and nineteen privates; a consid- erable quantity of arms-two brass field pieces, 150 or 200 stand of muskets, and a small quantity of ammunition, how much, we do not exactly know, enough however to defend this place with, against the force of Cos and Ugartechea.
"We are informed that there are several hundred horses in the public cavayard both below and above on the river ; but as yet, or till 12 to-day, our force has been too small to detach a sufficient number of men to reconnoitre and bring them in. Between 12 and 1 o'clock, Alley and B. Smith, arrived with 111 men, and since I commenced this page, Captain Westover from the mission on the Nueces arrived with fifteen men, so that we now have 180 in all. Smith and Alley inform us that there was 300 at Gonzales when they left-and they say the force is no doubt augmented there by this time to 400-we are now in readiness for active and combined operations. Twenty days will be apt to close the military career of Cos in Texas.
"To return to the action of the 9th here, the enemy report three killed seven wounded-we have one wounded, but badly-he will, however, probably recover. He is wounded in the shoulder-his name is Mccullough from the La Vaca.
"The colonel commandant, captain, and first lieutenant were dis- patched yesterday, under a strong guard, to San Felipe; the other officer and lieutenant are among the wounded. The other persons are not yet disposed of.
"It is but justifiable to notice particularly, for reasons well under- stood, the part taken and acted in the capture of these works, by P. Dimmit. During the action, no man could have behaved better or more bravely ; and since his usefulness has been obvious to every man present.
"So short a time has elapsed since the arrival of Alley, Smith and Westover, that no plan is yet formed for the government of our future movements. Of one thing, however, I feel at liberty to assure you; that we shall act, and that quickly. Expresses are expected tonight ; these will decide our arrangements.
"Colonel Milam, who is direct from Monclova, informs us, that Zacatecas is up and arming, resolved on one more desperate struggle
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for her rights. All here are in good spirits and think themselves enough to make short work of the balance of our undertaking."
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