USA > Texas > Tarrant County > Fort Worth > History of Texas : Fort Worth and the Texas northwest edition, Volume I > Part 33
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When killed, the Masonic fraternity, then present, took charge of his body, and, with a proper detail of troops, he was buried in the yard-east side-of the Veramendi house, with military honors. His remains were subsequently disinterred and deposited in the old bury- ing ground west of the town, with appropriate Masonic and military honor.
At a meeting of the officers of both divisions, at 7 o'clock P. M., Colonel F. W. Johnson was unanimously chosen commander of the assaulting force.
The fourth day was wet and cold, with but little firing on either side. Early in the day, the companies holding the Navarro house,
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aided by the Grays, advanced and took position on the Zambrano house, which led to the Military Square. Our brave boys fought their way from house to house, cutting loop holes through the walls, and thereby drove the enemy from house to house, disputing every inch of ground, and seconded by a heavy fire of artillery and musketry. After suf- fering a severe loss in officers and men they evacuated the whole row and their position in the square. A more daring or desperate fight is not to be found in the history of wars. This gave the detachment command of the Military Square, an important point gained. This important advanced position was reinforced by Captains Swisher, Ally, Edwards, and Duncan's companies. The casualties of the day were one captain severely wounded (Captain Peacock, who subse- quently died) and two privates.
Notwithstanding the vigilance of the scouts kept out, we received undoubted information of the arrival of reinforcements to the enemy. under Colonel Ugartechea. Near midnight the Captain of the Grays and Captain Patton, of the Brazoria volunteers, were ordered to storm and carry the priest's house, a strong position on the north side, and near the northeast angle, of the civil square. They were exposed to the fire of a battery of three guns and a large number of musketeers. Indeed, so near did they pass under the guns of the wall enclosing the yard of the house, and which had been pierced for musketry, that many of the men had their whiskers and hair burnt by the blaze of the guns. but they advanced steadily and soon carried the position, which gave us command of both squares.
Before ordering the assault, however, we had been reinforced from the reserve by Captains Cheshire, Lewis and Sutherland's companies.
Immediately after taking the priest's house, the enemy opened an incessant fire of artillery and small arms against every house in our possession and every part of our lines, which they kept up until near daylight of the fifth day. Immediately after daylight it was discov- ered that the enemy had hauled down his flag, and hoisted in its stead a white flag. Soon after a bearer of a flag of truce was brought to the headquarters of Colonel Johnson, and declared the desire of General Cos to capitulate. Commissioners were immediately ap- pointed by both commanders. Colonel Johnson, in the meantime, sent a despatch to General Burleson informing him of the agreement of capitulation and desired that he would visit the town immediately.
Our loss in this daring, hazardous, midnight assault, strange and miraculous as it is, was only one man-Beden of the New Orleans Grays, dangerously wounded in the eye in attempting to spike a gun.
Herewith is subjoined the report of General Burleson :
"Bexar, December 14th, 1835.
"To His Excellency Henry Smith, Provisional Governor of Texas : "Sir: I have the satisfaction to enclose a copy of Colonel Johnson's account of the storming and surrender of San Antonio de Bexar, to which I have little to add that can in any way in- crease the luster of this brilliant achievement to the Federal arms
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of the volunteer army under my command; and which will. I trust, prove the downfall of the last position of military despotism on our soil of freedom.
"At three o'clock on the morning of the 5th instant, Col. Neill, with a piece of artillery, protected by Capt. Roberts and his com- pany, was sent across the river to attack, at five o'clock, th" Alamo, on the north side, to draw the attention of the enemy from the advance of the division which had to attack the suburbs of the town, under Colonels Milam and Johnson. This service was effected to my entire satisfaction ; and the party returned to camp at nine o'clock a. m.
"On the advance of the attacking division, I formed all the reserve, with the exception of the guard necessary to protect the camp, at the Old Mill position, and held myself in readiness to advance, in case of necessity, to assist when required ; and shortly afterwards passed into the suburbs to reconnoitre, where I found all going on prosperously, and retired with the reserve to the camp. Several parties were sent out mounted, under Capts. Cheshire, Coleman and Roberts, to scour the country, and en- deavor to intercept Ugartechea, who was expected, and ulti- mately forced an entry, with re-inforcements for General Cos. Captains Cheshire, Sutherland and Lewis, with their companies were sent in as re-inforcements to Col. Johnson during the period of attack ; and Captains Splane, Ruth, and Lieut. Borden, with their companies, together with Lieut .- Cols. Somervell and Sublett were kept in readiness as further assistance if required. On the evening of the 8th, a party from the Alamo, of about fifty men, passed up in front of our camp and opened a brisk fire, but with- out effect. They were soon obliged to retire precipitatelv, by opening a six-pounder upon them, commanded by Capt. Hum- mings, by sending a party across the river, and by the advance of Capt. Bradley's company, who were stationed above. On the morning of the 9th. in consequence of advice from Col. Johnson of a flag of truce having been sent in, to intimate a desire to capitulate, I proceeded to town and by 2 o'clock A. M. of the 10th, a treaty was finally concluded by the commissioners ap- pointed, to which I acceded immediately. deeming the terms highly favorable, considering the strong position and large force of the enemy, which could not be less than thirteen hundred effective men ; one thousand one hundred and five having left this morning with General Cos, besides three companies and several small parties which separated from him in consequence of the fourth article of the treaty.
"In addition to a copy of the treaty I enclose a list of all the valuable property ceded to us by virtue of this capitulation.
"General Cos left this morning for the mission of San José. and, tomorrow, commences his march to the Rio Grande, after complying with all that had been stipulated.
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"I cannot conclude this despatch without expressing in the warmest terms my entire approbation of every officer and soldier in the army, and particularly those who so gallantly volunteered to storm the town, which I have the honor to command, and to say that their bravery and zeal on the present occasion merit the warmest eulogies which I can confer and, the gratitude of their country. The gallant leader of the storming party, Col. Ben. R. Milam, fell gloriously on the third day and his memory will be dear to Texas as long as there exists a grateful heart to feel, or a friend of liberty to lament his loss. His place was most ably filled by Col. F. W. Johnson, adjutant-general of the army, whose coolness and prudence, united to daring bravery, could alone have brought matters to so successful an issue with so very small a loss against so superior a force and such strong fortifications. To his shining merits on this occasion, I bore ocular testimony during the five days' action.
"I have also to contribute my praise to Major Bennett, quar- termaster-general, for the diligence and success with which he supplied both armies during the siege and storm.
"These despatches, with a list of killed and wounded, will be handed to your Excellency by my first aide-de-camp, Col. Wm. T. Austin, who was present as a volunteer during the five days' storm, and whose conduct on this and every other occasion merits my warmest praise.
"Tomorrow I leave the garrison and town under command of Colonel Johnson, with sufficient number of men and officers to sustain the same, in case of attack, until assisted from the colonies ; so that your Excellency may consider our conquest as sufficiently secured against every attempt of the enemy. The rest of the army will retire to their homes.
"I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's obedient servant, "EDWARD BURLESON,
"Commander in Chief of the Volunteer Army."
"CAPITULATION, ENTERED INTO BY GEN. MARTIN PERFECTO DE COS. OF THE MEXICAN TROOPS, AND GEN. EDWARD BURLESON, OF THE COLONIAL TROOPS OF TEXAS.
"Being desirous of preventing the further effusion of blood and the ravages of civil war, we have agreed on the following stipulations :
"1st. That Gen. Cos and his officers retire with their arms and private property, into the interior of the republic, under parole of honor that they will not in any way oppose the re-establish- ment of the Federal Constitution of 1824.
"2nd. That the one hundred infantry lately arrived with the convicts, the remnant of the battalion of Morelos, and the cavalry, retire with the General; taking their arms and ten rounds of cartridges for their muskets.
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"3rd. That the General take the convicts brought in by Gen- eral Ugartechea, beyond the Rio Grande.
"4th. That it is discretionary with the troops to follow their General, remain, or go to such point as they may deem proper ; but in case they should all or any of them separate they are to have their arms, etc.
"5th. That all the public property, money, arms, and muni- tions of war be inventoried and delivered to General Burleson.
"6th. That all private property be restored to its proper owners.
"7th. That three officers of each army be appointed to make out the inventory and see that the terms of the capitulation be carried into effect.
"8th. : That three officers on the part of General Cos remain for the purpose of delivering over the said property, stores, etc.
"9th. That General Cos, with his force, for the present occupy the Alamo ; and General Burleson, with his force, occupy the town of Bexar ; and that the soldiers of neither party pass to the other armed.
"10th. General Cos shall, within six days of the date hereof, remove his force from the garrison he now occupies.
"11th. In addition to the arms before mentioned, General Cos shall be permitted to take with his force a four-pounder, and ten . rounds of powder and ball.
"12th. The officers appointed to make the inventory and delivery of the stores, etc., shall enter upon the duties to which they have been appointed, forthwith.
"13th. The citizens shall be protected in their persons and prop- erty.
"14th. General Burleson shall furnish General Cos with such provisions as can be obtained, necessary for his troops, to the Rio Grande at the ordinary price of the country.
"15th. The sick and wounded of General Cos's army, together with a surgeon, are permitted to remain.
"16th. No person, either citizen or soldier, to be molested on account of political opinions hitherto expressed.
"17th. That duplicates of this capitulation be made out in Cas- tilian and English and signed by the commissioners appointed, and ratified by the commanders of both armies.
"18th. The prisoners of both armies, up to this day, shall be put at liberty.
"The commissioners, José Juan Sanchez, adjutant inspector ; Don Ramon Musquiz and Lieut. Francisco Rada. and Interpreter Don Miguel Arciniega, appointed by the Commandant and Inspector- Gen. Martin Perfecto de Cos, in connection with Col. F. W. Johnson, Maj. R. C. Morris, and Capt. J. G. Swisher, and Interpreter John Cameron, appointed on the part of Gen. Edward Burleson, after a long and serious discussion, adopted the eighteen preceding articles, reserving their ratification by the generals of both armies.
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"In virtue of which, we have signed this instrument in the city of Bexar on the 11th of December, 1835.
"JOSE JUAN SANCHEZ, "RAMON MUSQUIZ, "J. FRANCISCO DE RADA,
"MIGUEL ARCINIEGA, Interpreter, "F. W. JOHNSON,
"ROBERT C. MORRIS,
"JAMES G. SWISHER,
"JOHN CAMERON, Interpreter,
"I consent to and will observe the above articles.
"MARTIN PERFECTO DE COS,
"Ratified and approved.
EDWARD BURLESON, "Commander-in-Chief of the Volunteer Army.
"A true copy.
"EDWARD BURLESON, Commander-in-Chief."
The official reports of the fall of Bexar were received and trans- mitted by Governor Smith to the council on December 14th, and the next day the council addressed to the victors a hearty letter of thanks.
At the same time the commissioners to the United States were notified of the successful termination of the campaign, and the hope was indulged that this might lighten their task of enlisting support in the United States.
While these things were transpiring around San Antonio de Bexar, a spirited affair occurred on the Nueces river near San Patricio. The Mexicans had a small garrison at Lipantitlan on the west side of the Nueces. To reduce this place, Capt. P. Dimit, commandant at Goliad. despatched Adj. Ira Westover with thirty men against it. The following is a brief account of the affair :
Adjutant Westover on his march was joined by twenty volunteers, which increased his force to fifty men. On his arrival at San Patricio on the 3d of November, 1835, he learned that the enemy were out in pursuit of him. By a forced march the Texans reached Lipantitlan in the evening of that day. The Mexicans in the fort, twenty-one. surrendered that night on condition of being set at liberty, on parole not to take up arms against Texas during the war. They had in the fort two pieces of artillery, a four and two pounder, which they had forcibly taken from the citizens of San Patricio. The Texans held the place until evening of the next day, 4th, when they prepared to cross the river. Before crossing, however, they discovered a small party of Mexicans watching their movements. About half of the men had crossed the river, when Adjutant Westover was informed that the enemy, some seventy odd, were approaching. The Mexicans advanced rapidly and an action immediately ensued. After a sharp contest of some half hour, the Mexicans retreated, leaving the Texans master of the field, from which they captured eight of the enemy's horses, and one of their wounded-the alcalde of San Patricio. The enemy lost in killed, wounded and missing, twenty-eight. One Texan, Braken, was wounded in the
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hand. No other casualty. Adjutant Westover concluded his report as follows :
"I had previously sent to San Patricio for a team to move the artillery as a four pounder was put across the river previous to the action ) but in consequence of a heavy shower of rain, and cold wind from the north, the men were very much chilled, and night approach- ing. and no team coming, I, together with Captain Kerr. John T. Linn and James Hower, who rendered me signal service, advised the pro- priety of throwing the artillery in the river and it was accordingly done.
"The men all fought bravely, and those on the opposite bank of the river were enabled to operate on the flanks of the enemy. above and below the crossing, which they did with fine effect.
TRA WESTOVER, Adjutant."
For this action Westover and his men were formally thanked by the general council in resolutions.
CHAPTER XVII
THE MATAMORAS EXPEDITION AND THE QUARREL BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE GENERAL COUNCIL
Before the capture of San Antonio suggestions were already being offered for carrying the war into Mexico, for the purpose, in the first place, of diverting Santa Anna's invasion from Texas, and, in the second place, of uniting with the Liberals who were opposing the gov- ernment there. On November 13, Dr. James Grant made to General Austin a report on conditions in the interior which furnished a basis for this policy. Writing from Goliad, he said :
"DEAR SIR: In compliance with your request, I give you a few hints on the present state of the interior.
"Alvarez, instead of agreeing as was reported to an armistice, has commenced operations in the south, with redoubled vigor, and taken the strong port of Acapulco. The importance of this point is height- ened by the revenue of the port, which the government can ill spare, and which will assist materially in supporting the troops of Alvarez.
"Guzman and Montenegro have an army of 2100 liberals in the state of Guadalaxara, and must, by this time, have driven the central troops and the centralists out of that territory.
"The state of Puebla, with the governor at its head, has refused to publish the law of centralism; and by last accounts, it appears that the citizens were arming en masse to defend their liberties and rights.
"The state of Morelia, formerly Valladolid, has protested, in the strongest terms against a change of system, were arming their 'milicia civica,' and had a respectable body of liberal troops in the southern part of the state, prepared for the field.
"The inhabitants of Oajaca have made a noble and vigorous pro- test against the usurping government and aristocratic party ; and it is understood that they were prepared to defend their opinions and rights by arms, as soon as the central law had reached them.
"Zacatecas is oppressed, but ready to take advantage of the first opportunity to revenge her wrongs.
"Durango is also ready, as soon as she can hope for assistance Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon will rise the moment an attack is madc on Matamoras ; and San Luis Potosi will instantly follow.
"The central government is sadly distressed for funds to carry on their despotic dispositions ; and if one or two of their ports are taken, they will have to yield without striking a blow. Their army is scattered, and cannot be united with safety. A number of liberals and able officers are devoted to the cause of liberty; and when the principles on which the freemen of Texas have taken up arms are known, i. e., the defense of the constitution of 1824, the whole re- public will rise at once, and the final destruction of Santa Anna, centralism and the Spanish party, [ will follow], as the immediate result.
"J. GRANT."
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On December 2, Capt. Philip Dimit, commanding the post at Goliad wrote :
"If this (the expedition to Matamoras) or some other movement like this, is not adopted, which will enable us to hurl the thunder back in the very atmosphere of the enemy, drag him, and with him the war out of Texas, her resources and her blood must continue to flow from the centre to the frontier. If this is done, the paralyzing effects, and the immediate calamities of war will be greatly mitigated. The revenue of the port of Matamoras, now applied to support an unpro- voked, unnatural and unjust war against us, would then be used in defraying the expense of the war against him. This, even under a bad and corrupt administration, is said to amount, on an average, to one hundred thousand dollars per month. Taken from the enemy, and used by us, this would be a difference of two hundred thousand dollars per month, in the relative means of the belligerents, in prose- cuting the war. It is like taking a weight from one scale, and putting it in the opposite. Two of equal gravity with the one removed are then required to restore the equilibrium.
"Again, the adoption and impetuous execution of the plan here proposed might enable us to barter the war off, for a speedy and hon- orable peace. The enemy, when he found it visited upon his own head, and saw the lightning at a distance, might adopt effectual meas- ures to protect himself against its consuming progress by offering a compromise, on our own terms. And should he not do this, the presence of a victorious force in Matamoras, having General Zavala for a nominal leader, and a counter-revolutionizing flag, the liberal of all classes would immediately join us, the neutrals would gather confidence, both in themselves and us, and the parasites of centralism, in that section, would be effectually panic-struck and paralyzed. In this way, a very respectable army might be immediately organized there, principally of materials to commence active operations on the interior. This would be putting the war in the hands of its lawful and proper owners; for this war is not ours, although we have been compelled, in self-defense, to become a party to it. We have neither provoked, nor yet given cause for extending it to Texas. It origi- nated in the interior of the country, in a contest for power, and there it belongs ; and we owe it both to ourselves and the enemy to carry it home. Let them have the war, and let us put them in a way to fight its battles. We can then remain a party to it, or withdraw, at pleasure, with honor enough and with a well-earned, enviable repu- tation.
"You will please urge this subject on the consideration of the governor and council, with zeal, force and untiring perseverance."
Moved by this reasoning, Governor Smith instructed General Hous- ton to take steps toward such a movement, and on December 17, Hous- ton wrote Bowie ordering him to take charge of an expedition.
For some reason Bowie did not receive this order until January 1, and in the meantime the general council had taken up the matter. On December 25, the committee on military affairs presented a report which grew out of a letter that Johnson wrote to Governor Smith on the 18th.
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In this Johnson described the movements of the Mexican troops march- ing against Texas and advised the strengthening of the frontier. The ' committee urged a general westward movement of the Texan forces, and particularly an attack on Matamoras :
"Inasmuch as the number of troops fit for duty now in the field is very much augmented, there being four hundred troops now at Bexar, seventy at Washington, eighty at Goliad, two hundred at Vel- asco, and several companies on their march to the different military posts and places of rendezvous, making in the aggregate seven hun- dred and fifty men now in service and ready for active operations, and at least one hundred more, not enumerated in the above aggre- gate, who will join the army in a few days, active operations should be immediately commenced ; for the expenses of the above number of men, now in service, together with the officers and contingent ex- penses, are too great for Texas in the present state of her finances. Besides, to keep the troops idle who have entered the service will do us great injury at this time. It will induce those who are willing and able to aid us, to believe that we have no use for any more troops; it will give our enemies time to fortify Matamoras and Laredo, so they can demonstrate on us in the spring or whenever they think proper, knowing their fortifications would enable them to retreat safely, even if they were defeated, and should it become necessary to take either of the aforesaid places, for the security of our frontier, it would be far more difficult than it would be at this time, and no man can doubt the importance and necessity of striking a decisive blow at once. By taking Matamoras, we have the possession of the key ; yes, the com- mercial depot of the whole country north and northwest for several hundred miles. We can then fortify the place; demonstrate, when the occasion presents itself, or it becomes necessary, upon the towns north and west. We can also land provisions and all the munitions of war and troops, if necessary, at that point (Matamoras), at any time with perfect safety, and without incurring half the risk and expense we must at present. And we can also command the Gulf of Mexico from that point to the city of New Orleans, and land our troops and supplies wherever we please.
"Therefore be it resolved, by the general council of the provisional government of Texas, That his Excellency, Henry Smith, governor, be and he is hereby earnestly requested to concentrate all his troops by his proper officers, at Copano and San Patricio, for the purpose of carrying into effect the objects expressed and contained in the fore- going report."
Concerning this report General Houston wrote Governor Smith that it was necessary for the commander-in-chief to remain near the centre of Texas and busy himself with the organization of the regular army. He suggested that a subaltern whom he could name would be able to handle the expedition acceptably ; but he did not name this officer.
On January 3, 1836, however, Johnson arrived at San Felipe, and notified the general council that he had already ordered an expedition · against Matamoras, and that a portion of the force that was to under- take the expedition was then on the march from San Antonio to Goliad.
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"In regard to the expedition I have no hesitation in saying that it is practicable and that not one moment should be lost, as the enemy are concentrating their forces at many points in the interior with a view to suppress the liberals of the interior and also for the purpose of attacking us in Texas. Therefore I submit the foregoing to your consideration and ask your authority for making the expedition against Matamoras."
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