USA > Texas > History of Texas : from 1685 to 1892, volume 1 > Part 32
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He says :
" I must particularly call the attention of the provisional government to the volunteer army, now in the field. That their services have been and now are in the highest possible degree useful and important to Texas, is very evident. Had this army never crossed the Guadalupe, a movement which some have condemned, the war would have been carried by the centralists into the colonies and the settlements on the Guadalupe and La Vaca would probably have suffered, and perhaps been broken up. The town of Gonzales had already been attacked, and many of the settlers were about to remove.
"What effect such a state of things would have had upon the moral standing and prospects of the country, although a mat- ter of opinion, is worthy of mature consideration ; and more especially when it is considered that at that time the opinions of many were vacillating and unsettled and much division pre- vailed. The volunteer army has also paralyzed the force of
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General Cos, so that it is shut up within the fortifications of Bexar, incapable of any hostile movement whatever, outside. the walls, and must shortly surrender or be annihilated. The enemy has been beaten in every contest and skirmish, which has proved the superiority of the volunteers, and given confi- dence to every one. Our undisciplined volunteers, but few of whom were ever in the field before, have acquired some experience and much confidence in themselves and in each other, and are much better prepared for organization and to meet a formidable attack than they were before.
" The post at Goliad has been taken by the volunteers and the enemy deprived of large supplies which were at that place, and of the facilities of procuring others by water, through the port of Copano, which is also closed upon them by the occupation of Goliad. The enemy has been driven from the river Nueces by a detachment of the volunteers who garrison Goliad, aided by the patriotic sons of Ireland from Powers' Colony. More than one hundred of the enemy, including many officers, have been killed; a great many have been wounded, others havedeserted, and a valuable piece of brass cannon, a six-pounder, has been taken, and another preserved (the one that was at Gonzales ) from falling into the hands of the enemy. Three hundred head of horses have been taken, and the resources for sustaining an army in Bexar are all destroyed or exhausted so that an enemy at that place is at this time more than three hundred miles from any supplies of bread-stuffs and many other necessary articles. All this has been effected by the volunteer army in a little more than one month, and with the loss of only one man killed in battle and one wounded ( who has nearly recovered) before Bexar ; one wounded at Goliad and one at Lipantitlan on the Nueces. In short, the moral and political influence of the campaign is equally beneficial to Texas and to the sacred cause of the constitution and of liberty, and honorable to the volunteer army. This army is composed principally of the most intelligent, respect-
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able and wealthy citizens of the country ; and of volunteers from Louisiana and Alabama, men who have taken up arms from principle, from a sense of duty, and from the purest motives of patriotism and philanthropy. They have bravely sustained the rights of Texas, and the cause of Texas, and the cause of Mexican Liberty, and patiently borne the ex- posure and fatigue of a winter's campaign during the most inclement, wet and cold spell of weather known in this country for many years. The most of them have families, whose loss would have made a fearful void in our thin community. They might have been precipitated upon the fortification of Bexar, which were defended by seven or eight hundred men, and a number of cannons, and taken the place by storm, against superior numbers ; and Texas might, and in all probability would, have been covered with mourning in the hour of victory. On consultation with the officers in councils of war, it was deemed most prudent not to hazard so much in the commencement of the contest, when a disaster would have been so materially injurious; and the system was adopted, of wasting away the resources and spirits and numbers of the enemy by a siege, the ultimate success of which appeared to be certain without any serious hazard on our part. That the fall of Bexar within a short time, and, with a very little loss, will be the result, I have no doubt."
" The decree of the 3d of October, therefore, if carried into effect, evidently leaves no remedy for Texas but resist- ance, secession from Mexico, and a direct resort to natural rights."
These last were words of courage and wisdom; but the trouble was, in the language of President Burnet, that by this decree, " the Federal constitution so long contemned and abrogated in fact was abolished in form." Yet Austin, as if unaware of the actual and notoriously existing facts, qualifies his position with the contingency " if the decree be carried into effect," while six days before he wrote the com-
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mandant at Goliad, that Santa Anna was preparing to invade Texas at the head of ten thousand men.
In a second communication of December 2nd, Austin declares himself in favor of a new convention, to be elected by the people, with plenary powers, etc. This could only be con- strued, on its face, as an expression in favor of independ- ence, else why clothe the body with plenary' powers, or indeed, any more power than that possessed by the recent body, fresh from the people which established the provisional government? It will be seen that three weeks later he was intensely hostile to independence.
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CHAPTER XXXVII.
The Siege of San Antonio - Storming of the Place - Milam saved the Cause, but lost his Life - Capitulation of Cos and Surrender of the Alamo and San Antonio - Official Reports.
Next, in the order of events, were the momentous occur- rences at San Antonio de Bexar. The number of volunteer citizens there, between Austin's arrival on the Salado, October 20th, and his retirement November 24th, had increased at one time to nearly eleven hundred men and again decreased to about five hundred. Every one came and went at pleasure. All professed a desire to take the town and its Mexican garri- son under Cos. The fact remained, however, that when the test came on the 21st of November, the order for attacking the place had to be countermanded. The question in the mind of the attentive reader, will naturally arise, where were Milam and Bowie and Travis when this took place? Why were they not heard from when it was officially reported to Austin and affirmed, as he officially says, by his own observa- tion, that a large majority of the men were opposed to the attack? The answer is, that they were in subordinate posi- tions, on detached service, scouting towards the Rio Grande, and were not in camp when the matter was discussed. It reveals the lack of a master, leading-spirit- one of those rare men endowed by nature with the capacity, in times of peril, both to lead and to command. There were among them men personally as brave as the bravest, but they lacked self- confidence and that spirit of daring, combined with faith, so essential in such great emergencies, to successfully lead men into desperate hazards. The fourth of December arrived and
(415)
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so did Milam, from a perilous scout to the west. The failure of November 21st had been repeated that morning ; at least one or two authorities so assert, but there is margin for doubt of its accuracy. But, be that as it may, there is abundant evidence to show that the soul of Milam rose equal to the occasion; that he realized its transcendent importance to the salvation of Texas; that he regarded failure, under all the existing surroundings, as an irretrievable disaster. He drew a line and in stentorian voice appealed to his countrymen then present to follow him in storming and taking the town, and exclaimed: "Who will follow old Ben Milam?"
From that (little halting-band sprang forth and into line, three hundred inspired patriots, avowing their resolve to fol- low him to victory or death.
Milam divided his followers into two bodies, commanding one in person and placing the other, by consent of the men, under the adjustant-general, Francis W. Johnson, the same gallant captain who figured at Anahuac in 1832. No more full or graphic account of the storming of the town can be given than is contained in the final report of Colonel John- son; who succeeded to the command when his valiant chief fell-a fall that called forth lamentations and sorrow in every household in Texas, and not in Texas alone, for Ken- tucky mourned her patriot son, from Clay, Crittenden, Rowan, Johnson, and the most distinguished of the State to the humblest. In Arkansas, Louisiana and the valley of the Mississippi and in the noblest breasts of Mexico, though hid- ing in caverns and forests from the minions of Santa Anna, the death of Milam was also deplored as a loss to liberty and civilization. All felt that a loyal and unselfish champion of human rights had fallen - gone down as Warren at Bunker Hill, to be remembered in the generations to follow as the embodiment of all that constitutes the noble, the brave and the true in man.
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Here is the report of Colonel Johnson :
" SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR, December 11, 1835.
" General Burleson, Commander-in-Chief.
" SIR: I have the honor to acquaint you, that on the morn- ing of the 5th inst., the volunteers for storming the city of Bexar, possessed by the troops of General Cos, entered the suburbs in two divisions, under the command of Colonel Ben. R. Milam. The first division under his immediate command, aided by Major R. C. Morris, and the second under my com- mand, aided by Colonels Grant and Austin, and Adjutant Brister.
" The first division, consisting of the companies of Captains York, Patton, Lewellyn, Crane, English, and Landrum, with two pieces and fifteen artillerymen, commanded by Lieuten- ant-Colonel Franks, took possession of the house of Don Antonio de La Garza. The second division, composed of the companies of Captains Cooke, Swisher, Edwards, Alley, Dun- can, Peacock, Breeze and Placido Benevides, took possession of the house of Verramendi. The last division was exposed for a short time to a very heavy fire of grape and musketry from the whole of the enemy's line of fortifications, until the guns of the first division opened their fire, when the enemy's attention was directed to both divisions. At seven o'clock, a heavy cannonading from the town was seconded by a well directed fire from the Alamo, which for a time prevented the possibility of covering our lines, or effecting a safe communica- tion between the two divisions. In consequence of the twelve pounder having been dismounted, and the want of proper cover for the other gun, little execution was done by our artil- lery, during the day. We were, therefore, reduced to a close and well directed fire from our rifles, which, notwithstanding the advantageous position of the enemy, obliged them to slacken their fire, and several times to abandon their artil- lery, within the range of our shot. Our loss during this day
27
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was one private killed, one colonel and one first lieutenant severely wounded; one colonel slightly, three privates danger- ously, six severely and three slightly wounded. During the whole of the night, the two divisions were occupied in strengthening their positions, opening trenches, and effecting a safe communication, although exposed to a heavy cross fire from the enemy, which slackened towards morning. I may remark that the want of proper tools rendered this undertak- ing doubly arduous. At daylight of the 6th, the enemy were observed to have occupied the tops of houses in our front, where, under the cover of breastworks, they opened through loop-holes, a very brisk fire of small-arms on our whole line, followed by a steady cannonading from the town, in front, and the Alamo on the left flank, with few interruptions during the day. A detachment of Captain Crane's company, under Lieutenant W. McDonald, followed by others, gallantly pos- sessed themselves, under a severe fire, of the house to the right, and in advance of the first division, which considerably extended our line; while the rest of the army was occupied in returning the enemy's fire and strengthening our trenches, which enabled our artillery to do some execution, and com- plete a safe communication from right to left.
" Our loss this day amounted to three privates severely wounded, and two slightly. During the night the fire from the enemy was inconsiderable, and our people were occupied in making and filling sand bags, and otherwise strengthening our lines. At daylight on the 7th, it was discovered that the enemy had, during the night previous, opened a trench on the Alamo side of the river, and on the left flank, as well as strengthening their battery on the cross-street leading to the Alamo. From the first they opened a brisk fire of small-arms, from the last a heavy cannonade, as well as small-arms, which was kept up until eleven o'clock, when they were silenced by our superior fire. About twelve o'clock, Henry W. Karnes, of Captain York's company, exposed to a heavy fire from the
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enemy, gallantly advanced to a house in front of the first division, and with a crowbar forced an entrance, into which the whole of the company immediately followed him and made a secure lodgment. In the evening, the enemy re- newed a heavy fire from all the positions which could bear upon us ; and at half-past three o'clock, as our gallant com- mander, Colonel Milam, was passing into the yard of my position, he received a rifle shot in the head, which caused his instant death, an irreparable loss at so critical a moment. Our casualties otherwise during this day, were only two men slightly wounded.
" At a meeting of the officers at 7 o'clock, I was invested with the chief command, with Major Robert C. Morris (late captain of the New Orleans Grays) as second. At ten p. m. Captains Lewellyn, English, Crane and Landrum with their respective companies, forced their way into and took possession of the house of Don Jose Antonio Navarro, an advanced and important position, close to the square. The fire of the enemy was interrupted and slack during the whole night, and the weather exceedingly cold and wet.
" The morning of the 8th continued cold and wet, with but little firing on either side. At nine o'clock the same com- panies who took possession of Don Jose Antonio Navarro's house, aided by a detachment of the Grays, advanced and occupied the Zambrano Row, leading to the square, without any accident. The brave conduct on this occasion, of Will- iam Graham, of Cook's company of Grays, merits mention.1
" A heavy fire of artillery and small-arms was opened on this position by the enemy, who disputed every inch of ground, and who, after suffering a severe loss in officers and men, were forced to retire from room to room, until at last they evacuated the whole house.2
1 Lieut. William G. Cook had succeeded Morris as captain of the New Orleans Grays.
2 This result was attained by the Texians tunneling through thick stone partition walls from room to room.
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" During this time our men were re-inforced by a detach- ment from York's company, under command of lieutenant Gill.
" The cannonading from the camp was exceedingly heavy from all quarters during the day, but did no essential dam- age.
" Our loss consisted of one captain seriously wounded, and two privates severely. At 7 o'clock p. m. the party in Zambrano's Row were re-inforced by Captains Swisher, Alley, Edwards and Duncan and their respective companies.
" This evening we had undoubted information of the ar- rival of a strong re-inforcement to the enemy, under Colonel Ugartechea. At half-past ten o'clock p. m. Captains Cook and Patton, with the company of New Orleans Grays, and a company of Brazoria volunteers, forced their way into the priest's house in the square, although exposed to the fire of a battery of three guns, and a large body of musketeers.
" Before this, however, the division was re-inforced from the reserve, by Captains Cheshire, Lewis and Sutherland, with their companies.
" Immediately after we got possession of the priest's house, the enemy opened a furious cannonade from all their batter- ies, accompanied by incessant volleys of small-arms against every house in our possession, and every part of our lines, which continued unceasingly until half-past six o'clock, a. m., of the 9th, when they sent a flag of truce, with an intimation that they desired to capitulate. Commissioners were immed- iately named by both parties ; and herewith I send you a copy of the terms agreed upon.
" Our loss in this night's attack, consisted of one man only (Belden of the Grays) dangerously wounded, while in the act of spiking a cannon.
" To attempt to give you a faint idea of the intrepid con- duct of the gallant citizens who formed the division under my
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command, during the whold period of the attack, would be a task of no common nature, and far above the power of my pen. All behaved with the bravery peculiar to freemen, and with a decision becoming the sacred cause of liberty.
" To signalize every individual act of gallantry, where no individual was found wanting to himself or to his country, would be a useless and endless effort. Every man has merited my warmest approbation, and deserves his country's grati_ tude.
" The memory of Colonel Ben R. Milam, the leader of this daring and successful attack, deserves to be cherished by every patriotic bosom in Texas.
" I feel indebted to the able assistance of Colonel Grant, (severely wounded the first day), Colonel W. T. Austin, Majors S. Morris and Moore, Adjutant Brister, Lieutenant Colonel Franks of the artillery, and every captain (names already given) who entered with either division, from the morning of the 5th, until the day of the capitulation.
" Doctors Levy and Pollard also deserve my warmest praise, for their unremitted attention and assiduity.
" Dr. John Cameron's conduct during the siege and treaty of capitulation, merits particular mention ; the guides, Messrs. Erastus Smith, Kendrick Arnold and John W. Smith, per- formed important service; and I cannot conclude without expressing my thanks to the reserve under your command, for such assistance as could be afforded me during our most critical movements.
" The period put to our present war by the fall of San An- tonio de Bexar, will, I trust, be attended with all the happy results to Texas which her warmest friends could desire.
" I have the honor to subscribe myself,
Your most obedient servant,
"F. W. JOHNSON, Commanding."
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GEN. BURLESON'S REPORT.
"BEXAR, December 14th, 1835.
" To His Excellency Henry Smith, Provisional Governor of Texas :
" SIR: I have the satisfaction to enclose a copy of Col. Johnson's account of the storming and surrendering of San Antonio de Bexar, to which I have little to add that can in any way increase the luster of this brilliant achievement, to the Federal arms 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 company, was sent across the river to attack, at five o'clock, the Alamo, on the north side, to draw the attention of the enemy from the advance of the division which hadto 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 passedin to 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 endeavor to intercept Ugartechea, who was expected, and ultimately 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
1
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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 without effect. They were soon obliged to retire precipitately, by opening a six- pounder upon them, commanded by Capt. Hummings, 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 two o'clock a. m. of the 10th, a treaty was finally concluded by the com- missioners appointed, 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 Gen. Cos, be- sides 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, to-morrow, commences his march to the Rio Grande, after complying with all that had been stipulated.
" 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, Colonel 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
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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 testi- mony during the five days' action.
" I have also to contribute my praise to Major Bennett, quartermaster-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 aid-de-camp, Colonel 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.
" To-morrow I leave the garrison and town under command of Colonel Johnson, with a 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 GENERAL 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-establishment of the Federal Constitution of 1824.
" 2d. That the one hundred infantry lately arrived with the
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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.
" 3d. That the General take the convicts brought in by General Ugartechea, beyond the Rio Grande.
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