USA > Texas > History of Texas : from 1685 to 1892, volume 1 > Part 28
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The Alcalde, with the approbation of the people, has refused to deliver up the cannon; and we are satisfied that as
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soon as Colonel Ugartechea is informed of the fact, he will immediately send a force against this colony at least, thinking us too weak to resist him. We therefore earnestly request you to send what force you can collect immediately to our assistance. You need make no delay about provisions, for we have plenty at your service. The time we think is most pressing, and the occasion most urgent. In haste, etc.
By order of the committee,
(Signed) G. W. DAVIS, Secretary."
The following is in response :
" SAN FELIPE DE AUSTIN, September 29th, 1835.
" The Committee of the Jurisdiction of Austin has received the communication directed to the Committee of Safety of Mina by you, in the name of the people of Gonzales, under date of the 25th inst., stating that Colonel Ugartechea had made a demand for the piece of cannon at that place, and that the people in a general meeting, had refused to give it up. You state that " from every circumstance, and from informa- tion, the people are justified in believing that this demand is only made to get a pretext to make a sudden inroad and attack upon that colony for marauding and other purposes ; " in consequence of which those people request assistance to aid in repelling an attack should one be made.
" The present movements of the people of Texas are of a popular and voluntary character in defence of their constitu- tional rights which are threatened by military invasion of an unconstitutional character. The people are acting on the de- fensive, and, therefore, there cannot be a doubt, that it was cor- rect in the people of Gonzales, under this principle, to detain the piece of cannon which was given to them by the author- ities of a constitutional government to defend themselves and the country if necessary.
" On this principle the people of this, and of every other
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section of the country, as far as this committee is informed, are ready to fly at a moment's warning to the defence of those people should they be attacked. Companies of volunteers have already marched, and more are in readiness, should they be needed, to repel an attack.
" This committee beg leave to suggest that inasmuch as the position taken by the country up to the present, is purely defensive, it is very important to keep this principle con- stantly in view, and to avoid making attacks unless they should be necessary as a measure of defence.
Yours respectfully
S. F. AUSTIN, Chairman of Committee."
" SANTA FELIPE DE AUSTIN, Oct. 3, 1835.
" CIRCULAR FROM THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF THE JURISDIC- TION OF AUSTIN.
" All are aware of the present movements of volunteers towards the western frontiers. For the information of every one, this committee deem it proper to state, as briefly as pos- sible, the leading facts which have given rise to this excite- ment.
" When the circular of this committee, under date of the 19th ult., was issued, information of an unquestionable char- acter had been received here, as to the marching of the sol- diers from Bejar, in some short period, within the limits of the colonies. The object appeared to be the apprehension of certain citizens, among whom Señor Don Lorenzo de Zavala, now a citizen of Texas, was particularly designated and aimed at. This gentleman has come to Texas, as to an asylum from the persecution of the present administration of Mexico. His offence we know not, except that he is the known friend of free institutions. This distinguished man, the authorities of Texas have been arbitrarily required by a military mandate to surrender into the hands of General Cos, who, in his zeal
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to secure the person of this patriotic and virtuous citizen, act- ually issued an order some time since, addressed to Colonel Ugartechea, commandant at Bexar, to march into the colonies and take him, at the risk of losing all the force he should em- ploy. The mere intimation of such an order would be an evident disrespect to the citizens of Texas; by the issuing of it, with the corresponding threats of Colonel Ugartechea of putting it into execution, is at once an open outrage upon the civil authorities of Texas, and upon the constitution. But what is of most importance, such proceedings serve plainly to show us all, what kind of government the present reformers in Mexico are aiming to subject us to - which is the government of the bayonet, and the regulation of all the affairs of Texas by military power, regardless of the constitution, of the civil authority, and of all the legally vested, equitable, and natural rights of the people of Texas.
" That such is the real and ultimate object of the military power now reigning in Mexico, and that the reasons assigned for the present hostile movements are nothing but mere pretexts to cover the main objects, and thus fill the country with troops, is clear 'and evident; but should there still remain doubts on the mind of any person, let him weigh and materially consider the following acts, and draw his own conclusions :
" The Constitutional Governor of this State, Viesca, and also another Governor, Falcon, who had been constitutionally installed to succeed Viesca, have been deposed by the military at Monclova. The State authorities were im- prisoned, and a Governor appointed by the acting President of the general government of Mexico. This is evidently an act of military usurpation and despotism, and the State of Coahuila and Texas is at this time without any constitutional or legal government at all, and the people of every part of the State, and those of Texas in particular, are left at full liberty to provide for themselves as they may deem best.
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" But a more general, though succinct view of matters, is necessary for a full and proper understanding of this subject. " A disastrous and ruinous civil war was kindled in 1832, by means of an insurrection against the Bustamente adminis- tration and General Santa Anna was placed at its head. The avowed object of this insurrection was to protect the federal system, and sustain the Constitution of 1824, which, it was then alleged, was attacked and endangered by the measures and projects of the Bustamente administration. On this principle the people of Texas supported General Santa Anna to defend the Constitution of 1824, and the fed- eral system. This general was enthusiastically supported by every liberal and free Mexican, and by friends of the Federal system in every part of the nation. With this support he triumphed. He became a man of the people - the protector of the federal system - the oracle of public opinion - the arbiter of the nation's destinies. How has he used this power, thus acquired? Let the military despotism now enthroned in Mexico upon the ruins of the federal system -let the friends of this system, who are now groaning in prisons or wandering in exile - let the Constitution of 1824, which still raises its dying voice from beneath the feet of military usurpation - let the free and impartial in Mexico and in the whole civilized world give answer. They say he used it to destroy what he avowed he had taken up arms to protect, he used the federal party as a blind instrument to destroy the federal system ; he abandoned his federal friends who had given him power, and united with the military, ecelesiastical and central party, against whom he took up arms in 1832. This same party is now governing in Mexico, and they say to the people of Texas, in the language of friendship and pursuasion - in that of sugar-plums and honey, that in the new Constitution or central government that is organizing in Mexico, guarantees shall be given to the people of Texas, their rights shall be protected and secured,
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and they are told that the government expects from their ' docility' a submission to all the reforms and alterations that may be agreed to by the majority of the nation. But who compose, and what is a majority of the nation spoken of by the minister, and how are these reforms to be effected? It is composed of the same military power before spoken of, who have assumed the voice of the nation, and have suppressed, by military influence, the free ex- pression of public opinion; and the reforms are to be effected by unconstitutional means; a sufficient proof of which is, that the present Congress in Mexico, which was elected by constitutional power alone, have, by their own act, declared themselves to be invested with powers of a national conven- tion, to frame a new constitution, or reform that of 1824 as they think proper.
" What is here meant by reforming the Constitution of 1824, may be clearly deduced by the 'reform' of the militia made by this same general Congress. This 're- form' reduced the militia of the State to one militiaman for every five hundred inhabitants, and disarmed all the rest. The people of Zacatecas resisted this iniquitous law, but were unfortunate, and compelled, for the time being, to submit to the military powers of the reformers: so that, in fact, 're- form' means destruction.
" From this condensed view of the past, let every impartial man judge for himself what degree of faith or credit ought to be given to the professions of the present government of Mexico, and ask himself whether a subtle poison may not be concealed in the sugar plums, or a sting in the honey, that is now offered to the ' docile ' people of Texas.
" But, in addition to this general view of matters, infor- mation of the most positive and unquestionable character is in the possession of this committee, that every possible effort is making by the government in Mexico to raise troops, money, and resources to fit out an expedition - an army of invasion
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against Texas. Infantry, artillery, and cavalry, have been ordered from San Luis Potosi, Saltillo and Tamaulipas, and all the disposable infantry at Campeche, has also been ordered on to Texas by water, as it was supposed they would stand the climate better than other troops. Magazines of arms and ammunition are forming at Matamoros, Goliad, and Bexar, and the old barracks and fortifications at the latter place are re- pairing to receive a large force. In short, the common talk all over Mexico among the military, is the invasion of Texas.
" Now, if the present government of Mexico is sincere in its profession of liberal guarantees for Texas, why all this preparation for a military invasion? Why has General Cos marched with all the disposable force at Matamoros (about four hundred men ) to Bexar where he now is, according to last accounts. Can it be that the government, in its fatherly care for Texas, fears that there are servile slaves in this country who will oppose liberal guarantees? Or is it that the promised guarantees are only a cover and false show, to quiet Texas until the general government is prepared to give to it a military government?
" It is well known to all that the reforms spoken of by the minister, and now being made in Mexico, contemplate the abolition of the federal system, the establishment of a central or consolidated government which is to absorb and swallow up all the powers and authorities of the nation: military commanderies will supply the place of State governments, and the vested rights of Texas under the Constitution and law of May 7, 1824, are to be disregarded and violated.
" Ought, or can, or will the people of Texas submit to all this? Let each man study the subject, and answer for him- self. If he will submit let him go to the military power and prostrate himself. If he will not submit, let him give his answer from the mouth of his rifle !
" In regard to the present movements of the military, the letter from Gonzales, and extracts from other letters of
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unquestionable faith, will inform the public. By these letters the people of Texas are told that their fellow-citizens at Gon- zales have been attacked - the war has commenced! They will also perceive that General Cos has arrived with a reinforce- ment of troops, and is preparing for a campaign of extermi- nation against the people of Texas.
" The headquarters of the ARMY OF THE PEOPLE for the present is at Gonzales. It is already respectable in numbers, and invincible in spirit.
" This committee exhorts every citizen who is yet at home, to march as soon as possible to the assistance of his country- men now in the field. The campaign is opened. Texas must be freed from military despots before it is closed.
S. F. AUSTIN,
Chairman of Committee of the Jurisdiction of Austin."
On the 6th of October, the committees of Safety of San Augustine and Nacogdoches adopted a preamble and resolu- tions advising that a commander in chief of that department should be chosen. Sam Houston was chosen and on the 8th he issued the following
DEPARTMENT ORDERS.
HEADQUARTERS, TEXAS, - DEPARTMENT OF NACOGDOCHES, Oct. 8th, 1835.
" The time has arrived when the revolutions in the interior of Mexico have resulted in the creation of a Dictator, and Texas is compelled to assume an attitude defensive of her rights and the lives and property of her citizens.
" Our oaths and pledges to the Constitution have been preserved inviolate. Our hopes of promised benefits have been deferred. Our constitutions have been declared at an end, while all that is sacred is menaced by arbitrary powers.
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The priesthood and the army are to mete out the measure of our wretchedness. War is our only alternative. " War in defence of our rights " must be our motto 1
" Volunteers are invited to our standard. Liberal bounties of land will be granted to all who will join our ranks with a good rifle, and one hundred rounds of ammunition.
"The troops of the department will forthwith organize under the direction of the Committee of Vigilance and Safety, into companies of fifty men each, who will elect their officers, and when organized they will report to the headquarters of the army unless special orders are given for their destination.
" The morning of glory has dawned upon us. The work of Liberty has begun. Our actions are to become a part of the history of mankind. Patriot millions will sympathize with our struggles, while nations will admire our achieve- ments. We must be united, subordinate to the laws and authorities which we avow, and freedom will not withhold the seal of her approbation. Rally around the standard of the constitution, entrench your rights with manly resolution, and defend them with heroic firmness. Let your valor proclaim to the world that Liberty is your birth-right. We cannot be conquered by all the arts of anarchy and despotism combined. In heaven and valorous hearts we repose our confidence.
" Our only ambition is the attainment of rational liberty- the freedom of religious opinions and just laws. To acquire these blessings we solemnly pledge our persons, our property and our lives.
Union and courage can achieve everything, while reason, combined with intelligence, can regulate all things necessary to human happiness. SAM HOUSTON,
General-in-Chief of Department.1
1 EXTRACT FROM AN OFFICIAL LETTER FROM THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR RELATIONS OF MEXICO TO THE MUNICIPALITY OF GONZALES.
" When the General Congress takes into consideration the reforms of the constitution which have been requested unanimously by almost all the
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towns of the Republic, that august assembly will bear in mind the wants of the inhabitants of Texas, for the purpose of providing a remedy; and, the government will very cheerfully co-operate in that object by making the propositions which may most conduce to so laudable an end, reckoning al- ways on the good sense and docility of the colonists, who, on adopting this for their country, subjected themselves to the alterations that, respecting the institutions, the majority of the nation may think fit to agree upon; which disposition the government is decided on supporting in fulfillment of its duty, as it is, also, of protecting all the inhabitants of the Republic, lovers of order, and of punishing those who foment sedition."
Mexico, Aug. 5th, 1835."
(Signed) "BONILLA."
FROM GONZALES.
" September 30th, 1835.
" Fellow-citizens of San Felipe and La Vaca:
" A detachment of the Mexican forces from Bexar, amounting to about one hundred and fifty men, are encamped opposite us; we expect an attack momentarily. Yesterday we were but eighteen strong, to-day one hundred and fifty, and forces continually arriving.
We wish all the aid and despatch that is possible to give us, that we may take up soon our line of march for Bexar, and drive from our country all the Mexican forces. Give us all the aid and despatch possible.
Respectfully yours,
CAPTAIN ALBERT MARTIN, 66 R. M. COLEMAN,
J. H. MOORE.
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
Austin elected Commander at Gonzales - Arrives near San Antonio - Victory at Concepcion - Protest of the Goliad Volunteers against the Removal of Capt. Dimmitt.
In the meantime an irregular and fluctuating force was still at Gonzales, with Colonel John H. Moore in temporary com- mand. Burleson and other men, with more or less experience in border warfare, had arrived. A sort of advisory council of one from each company was formed as a temporary nucleus of authority. On the 6th of October several gentlemen wrote Colonel Austin advising and requesting him to visit Gonzales. After having served on the committee of San Felipe only twenty-two days, he left on the 8th and arrived at Gonzales on the morning of the 11th. On the same day, through company elections, he was unanimously chosen to the chief command, a most flattering mark of esteem and confi- dence. Thereafter, by courtesy and a common understanding, he was accorded the title of General, and was so recognized by the provisional government organized a few weeks later.
The volunteers then on the ground, about three hundred in number, were on the 13th formed into a regiment, with John H. Moore as Colonel, Edward Burleson as Lieutenant-Colonel and Alexander Somervell as Major, all elected by the men.
General Austin selected as his staff, Warren D. C. Hall, adjutant and inspector general, with David B. Macomb as as- sistant ; Peter W. Grayson and Wm. T. Austin aides-de-camp ; Wm. H. Jack, brigade, inspector; and William H. Wharton, 1
1 It seems that there had been an alienation of feeling between Colonel Austin and Wm. H. Wharton. We have a published statement made by Captain Wm. J. Russell in 1887 that, through his instrumentality, on their (366)
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judge-advocate. Colonel Milam having just arrived, on the 14th, was put in command of a company of scouts.
The little force, with officers enough for a grand division of two or three thousand, took up the line of march for San Antonio and on the 20th encamped on the Salado Creek, fourteen miles from the objective point, and there encamped for a week, the only reason for which was to await reinforce- ments, which continued to arrive till about seven hundred well armed riflemen were on hand with the four pounder which had served both sides as a reason for bringing on hostilities. Some random skirmishing, of no consequence, took place on two or three occasions.
In this time the Consultation had assembled at San Felipe, on the 16th, but there was no quorum because of so many of the members-elect being with the volunteers, chiefly with Austin, but several, as James Power of Refugio, John J. Linn of Victoria and James Kerr of the Lavaca ( though of the municipality of Matagorda ), with the troops at and west of Goliad. Those present, therefore, adjourned to meet again on the first of November and took the necessary steps to inform the absentees of that fact. Thereupon, a number of those present took advantage of the opportunity to visit the volunteers before San Antonio. Among these were General Sam Houston, Dr. Branch T. Archer, Henry Smith, John A. Wharton, Edwin Waller, William Menefee, Elder Daniel Par- ker, of Nacogdoches, and others. They arrived!during the week the volunteers were encamped on the Salado. The citi- zen soldiers demanded speeches from those who were regarded as orators and were successively gratified by eloquent] and
first night in Gonzales, a cordial reconciliation took place between them. Coming into possession, after that publication was made, of perhaps twenty private letters to a confidential friend, on public affairs, by Colonel Whar- ton, it is a pleasure to say that in no single instance is there a disparaging remark or unkind allusion in regard to Colonel Austin. The letters cover the remaining period of the latter's life.
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patriotic addresses from Messrs. Houston, Archer, the two Whartons, Wm. H. Jack ; the old timed Baptist preacher, Daniel Parker, and perhaps others. It was an enthusiastic occasion and increased the fire of patriotism in every breast. It became known that many of the members of the Consulta- tion present did not intend to leave the army to take their seats. This created alarm among the enlightened citizen- volunteers, who realized the absolute necessity of at once forming a government to keep down the hydra-headed monster anarchy. They therefore held a mass meeting and demanded that these men, intrusted by the people with a momentous responsibility, should repair to their post of duty at San Felipe. This remarkable fact, so honorable both to the soldiery and the delegates and perhaps the only instance of the kind on record, seems to have escaped the knowledge of former historians. But of its truth there is no question. It was distinctly asserted in a debate in the Texas house of rep- resentatives in the session of 1839-40, on the Cherokee land bill, both by General Houston and Wm. H. Jack, in the presence of Messrs. Archer, Menefee (then a member) and Waller.
The members of the Consultation, thus relieved of what was doubtless esteemed an embarrassing attitude, and virtually commanded as to their duty, left the army and proceeded to San Felipe.
On the 27th, General Austin moved his encampment to the mission of Espada about ten miles below San Antonio, and sent Colonel Bowie and Captain James W. Fannin, with ninety- two men, to select a suitable camping ground as near as practicable to San Antonio. They encamped for the night in the little crescent shaped bend of the river immediately in front of and distant about two hundred yards from the aban- doned mission of Concepcion, placing out sentinels and station- ing one man in the tower of the lofty building.
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What followed is given by those gentlemen in a joint report, from which the following is extracted :
" The night passed quietly without the least alarm; and at dawn of day, every object was obscured by a heavy, dense fog, which entirely prevented our guard, or lookout from the mission, seeing the approach of the enemy.
" About half an hour by sun, an advance guard of their cavalry rode upon our line, and fired upon a sentinel who had just been relieved, who returned the fire and caused one pla- toon to retire; but another charged on him (Henry W. Karnes ) and he discharged a pistol at them, which had the same effect.
" The men were called to arms; but were for some time unable to discover their foes, who had entirely surrounded the position, and kept up a constant firing, at a distance, with no other effect than a waste of ammunition on their part. When the fog rose, it was apparent to all that we were surrounded, and a desperate fight was inevitable, all commu- nication with the main army being cutoff. Immediate prep- aration was made by extending our right flank ( first division) to the south, and placing the second division on the left, on the same side so that they might be enabled to rake the enemy, should they charge into the angle, and prevent the effects of a cross-fire of our own men; and at the same time, be in a compact body, contiguous to each other, that either might re-enforce the other, at the shortest notice without crossing the angle, in an exposed and uncovered position where cer- tain loss must have resulted. The men, in the meantime, were ordered to clear away bushes and vines, under the hill and along the margin, and at steepest places to cut steps for footholds, in order to afford them space to form and pass, and at suitable places to ascend the bluff, discharge their rifles and fall back to reload. The work was not completed to our wish, before the infantry were seen to advance, with arms trailed, to the right of the first division, and from their
24
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line of battle at about two hundred yards distance from the right flank. Five companies of their cavalry supported them, covering our whole front and flanks. Their infantry was also covered by a large force of cavalry.
" In this manner, the engagement commenced at about the hour of 8 o'clock, a. m., on Wednesday, 28th of October, by the deadly crack of a rifle from the extreme right. The en- gagement was immediately general. The discharge from the enemy was one continued blaze of fire, whilst that from our lines, was more slowly delivered, but with good aim and deadly effect, each man retiring under cover of the hill and timber, to give place to others whilst he reloaded. The battle had not lasted more than ten minutes, before the brass double- fortified four pounder was opened on our line, with a heavy discharge of grape and canister, at the distance of about eighty yards from the right flank of the first division and a charge sounded ; but the cannon was cleared as if by magic, and a check put to the charge. The same experiment was resorted to, with like success three times, the division advancing under the hill at each fire, and thus approximating near the cannon and victory. ' The cannon and victory ' was truly the war cry, and they had only fired it five times, and it had been three times cleared, and their charge as often broken, before a dis- orderly and precipitate retreat was sounded, and most readily obeyed, leaving to the victors their cannon. Thus a small detachment of 92 men gained a decisive victory over the main army of the Central Government ; being at least four to one, with only the loss of one brave soldier (Richard Andrews), and none wounded, whilst the enemy suffered in killed and wounded near one hundred, from the best information we can obtain, which is entitled to credit, say sixty-seven killed, among them many promising officers. Not one man of the artillery escaped unhurt. Had it been possible to communicate with you, and bring you up earlier, victory would have been decisive, and Bexar ours before 12 o'clock."
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