USA > Texas > Harris County > Houston > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 8
USA > Texas > Galveston County > Galveston > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 8
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Millard, and Colonel Burleson's regiment, with the artillery, had marched ont for the purpose of covering the retreat of the cav- alry, if necessary.
" All these fell back in good order to onr encampment about sunset, and remained with- out any ostensible action until the 21st, at half-past three o'clock, taking the first refresh- ments which they had enjoyed for two days. The enemy in the meantime extended the right flank of their infantry so as to occupy the extreme point of a skirt of timber on the bank of the San Jacinto, and secured their left by a fortifieation abont five feet high, constructed of packs and baggage, leaving an opening in the center of their breastwork, in which their artillery was placed, their cavalry on their left wing. Abont nine o'clock on the morn- ing of the 21st, the enemy were reinforced by 500 choice troops, under the command of General Cos, increasing their effective force to upward of 1,500 men, whilst our aggre- gate force for the field numbered 783. At balf-past three o'clock in the evening I or. dered the officers of the Texan army to parade their respective commands, having in the meantime ordered the bridge on the only road communicating with Brazos, distant eight miles from onr encampment, to be destroyed, thus cutting off any possibility of escape. Our troops paraded with alacrity and spirit, and were anxious for the contest. Their con- scious disparity in minber seemed only to increase their enthusiasm and confidence, and heightened their anxiety for the conflict. Our situation afforded me an opportunity of mak- ing the arrangements for the attack, withont exposing our designs to the enemy.
The first regiment, commanded by Colonel Burleson, was assigned the eenter. The sec- ond regiment, under the command of Colonel Sherman, formed the left wing of the army.
.
1
1
57
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
The artillery, under special command of Colonel George W. Hockley, Inspector-Gen- cral, was placed on the right of the first regi- ment; and four companies of infantry, under the command of Lientenant-Colonel Henry Millard, sustained the artillery upon the right. Our cavalry, sixty-one in number, commanded by Colonel Mirabean B. Lamar (whose gallant and daring condnet on the previous day had attracted the admiration of his comrades, and called him to the station), placed on our ex- treme right, complete I on line. Our cavalry was despatched to the front of the enemy's left, for the purpose of attracting their notice, whilst an extensive island of timber afforded ns an opportunity of concentrating our forces and displaying from that point, agreeably to the previous design of the troops. Every evolution was performed with alacrity, the whole advancing rapidly in line, and through an opeu prairie, withont any protection what- ever for onr men. The artillery advanced and took station within 200 yards of the enemy's breastwork, and commeneed an effective tiro with grape and canister.
"Colonel Sherman, with his regiment, hav- ing commenced the action npon our left wing, the whole line, at the center and on the right, advancing in double-quick time, rung the war cry, ' Remember the Alamo!' received the ene- my's fire, and advanced within point- blank shot before a piece was discharged from our lines. Our lines advanced without a halt until they were in possession of the woodland and the enemy's breastwork, the right wing of Bnrle- son's and the left of Millard's taking posses- sion of the breastwork, our artillery having gallantly charged up within seventy yards of the enemy's cannon, when it was taken by our troops. The conflict lasted about eighteen minutes from the time of close action until we were in possession of the enemy's encamp-
ment, taking one piece of cannon (loaded), four stand of colors, all their camp equipage, stores and baggage. Our cavalry had charged and routed that of the eneiny mpon the right, and given parsnit to the fugitives, which did not cease until they arrived at the bridge which I have mentioned before. Captain Karnes, always among the foremost in danger, commanded the pursners. The conflict in the breastwork lasted bnt a few moments; many of the troops encountered hand to hand, and, not having the advantage of bayonets on onr side, our riflemen used their pieces as war clubs, breaking many of them off at the breech. The rout commenced at half-past four, and the pursuit by the main ariny continued until twilight. A guard was then left in charge of the enemy's encampment, and onr ariny re- turned with their killed and wounded. In the battle our loss was two killed and twenty-three wounded, six of whom mortally. The enemy's loss was 630 killed, among whom were one general officer, fonr colonels, two lieutenant- colonels, five captains, twelve lieutenants: wonnded, 208, of whom five were colonels, three lieutenant-colonels, two second lieuten- ant-colonels, seven captains, one cadet; pris- oners, 730; President-General Santa Anna, General Cos, four colonels (aids to General Santa Anna), and the colonel of the Guerrero battalion, are included in the unmber. General Santa Anna was not taken until the 22J, and General Cos on yesterday, very few having escaped. About 600 muskets, 300 sabres and 200 pistols have been collected since the ac- tion; several hundred mules and horses were taken, and nearly $12,000 in specie. For sev- eral days previons to the action our troops were engaged in forced marches, exposed to excessive rains, and the additional inconveni- ence of extremely bad roads, ill supplied with rations and clothing; yet, amid every diffi-
58
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
culty, they bore up with cheerfulness and forti- tude and performed their marches with spirit and alacrity. There was no mnrmuring.
" Previous to and during the action my staff evinced every disposition to be useful, and were actively engaged in their duties. In the conflict I am assured they demeaned themselves in such a manner as proved them worthy members of the army of San Jacinto. Colonel T. J. Rusk, Secretary of War, was on the field. For weeks his services had been highly beneficial to the army; in battle he was on the left wing, where Colonel Sher- man's command first encountered and drove the enemy; he bore himself gallantly, and continued his efforts and activity, remaining with the pursuers until resistance ceased.
"I have the honor of transmitting here- with a list of all the officers and men who were engaged in the action, which I respect- fully request may be published, as an act of justice to the individuals. For the command- ing general to attempt discrimination as to the conduct of those who commanded in the action, or those who were commanded, would be impossible. Our success in the action is conclusive proof of their daring intrepidity and courage; every officer and man proved himself worthy of the cause in which he bat- tled, while the triumph received a Inster from the humanity which characterized their con- dnet after victory, and richly entitles them to the admiration and gratitude of their general. Nor should we withhold the tribute of our grateful thanks from that Being who rules the destinies of nations, and has in the time of greatest need enabled ns to arrest a power- ful invader while devastating our country.
" I have the honor to be, with high con- sideration, your obedient servant,
" SAM HOUSTON,
"Commander-in-Chief."
The condition in which Santa Anna was when captured was in accordance with the actions of all bloodthirsty cowards when en- trapped by those they have wronged. Ile had torun from his body his gandy uniform and donned the garb of a common country- man, but he had forgotten to take from his shirt-sleeves a pair of euff-buttons, which aronsed the keen suspicions of James II. Syl. vester, a printer, the man who found the sneaking despot hidden in the grass. The capture, as told by a writer who had knowl. edge of the facts, are these: "Some of Burle- son's men were out hunting for the fugitive, when one of them saw a deer on the prairie looking intently at some object in the tall grass. The man approached the spot and found lying upon the grass a Mexican in common garb, but, mpon discovering a gold button on his sleeve, took him back to lis companions, who condneted him to camp, having no idea of his rank. Santa Anna offered his captors a gold watch to let him off. As the company passed into the camp, the Mexican prisoners exclaimed, ' El Presidente!' Inquiry was made of Gen- eral Ahnonte, who announced that the one just brought in was no less a personage than Santa Ana himselfl He was conducted to Houston's eamp, and his own officers allowed to remain with him, and his personal bag- gage restored. Besides Sylvester, who fonnd him and brought him to his companions, the captors were Joel W. Robinson, A. H. Miles and David Cole."
Ilow that little force of 783 Texans, badly equipped, poorly clothed, and half starved, could march ont and ernsh to atoms, as it were, in less than half an hour (eighteen minutes, says Houston in his report), an army of 1,500 men, splendidly accoutered, ably generaled, and comfortably clothed and fed,
1
14
12
32
2 - 2
2
30
Santa Anna Before General Houston.
1. Gen. Sam Houston,
2. Gen. Lopez de Santa Anna,
3. Thos. J. Rusk,
4. Mirabeau B. Lamar.
5. - Chaddock,
6. Ben. McCulloch.
7. R. S. McManus.
8. Col. Almonte,
9. Gen. Ed. Burleson,
10. Col. Jno. A. Wharton,
11. Gen. Sidney Sherman.
12. Joel W. Robison,
13. Walter P. Lane,
14. I. A. Sylvester,
15. Jesse Billingsley,
16. Tom J. Green.
- 17. Gen. Geo. G. Alford,
18. Bailey Hardiman,
19. Silas Bostic.
20. -- McFadden.
32. Dr. S. Perry,
22. Washington Anderson, 34. Moses Austin Bryan.
23. James M. Hill,
24. Jno. W. Buntin,
25. M. G. Whitiker,
26. - Clemens,
27.
Jno. Milton Swisher,
28. Deaf Smith,
29. Sterling C. Robertson,
30. Surgeon.
31. Geo. Nall,
21. Col. Ed. Burleson,
33. ---- Hobson,
3
IT
33 23
1
22212
1918
16.
29
59
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
is nothing short of marvelous; and with a loss of but two killed in battle and twenty-nine wounded to the vietors, against 630 killed and 208 wounded of the enemy, to say noth- ing of the prisoners; for all, or nearly all, who were not killed or wounded, were cap- tured, hardly a man escaping! But oh! the Texans had the fate of those two brave mar- tyrs, Travis and Fannin, in their minds, and when the battle ery of " Remember the Alamo!" rang out as they rushed to battle, every man was a llereules. Ten thousand men could not have daunted their invincible courage. They knew that defeat meant death to every one of them, and it were better to die in harness than to be led out like sheep to the slaughter. They shot and struck to kill. Death had no terror for those patriots, and woe betide the brutal Santa Anna had he been caught in the action! He was so sure of vic- tory that it is said that he contemplated with pleasure the elose of the fight that he might show his power. Every man, Ilouston and all, of those San Jacinto heroes, would have been immediately shot if they would have been so unfortunate as not to be killed in battle. Knowing this, how those Texans could have refrained from killing this man has always puzzled the friends of liberty. As it was, it was the best. No stain rests upon the esenteheon of the Lone Star State.
After much controversy, especially in re- gard to the disposition of the captive Presi- dent of Mexico, a treaty was entered into by President Burnett and most of his cabinet and Santa Anna; but the clause providing for the release of the latter was bitterly objected to, and at one time the matter bid fair to be the cause of serious troubles and internal com- plications.
During these exciting times a number of captures of vessels on the coast near Copano
were made, especially by Captain Burton, who commanded a company of mounted rangers. Cavalry does not seem to be the best arm of the service in naval warfare, but this bold captain used very ingenions stratagems to in- duce passing vessels to stop at Copano, when his men would step aboard and take posses- sion in the name of the Republic of Texas.
THE INDEPENDENCE CONVENTION.
Not to interrupt the crimson thread of the war history, we have run past a remarkable event, which must now be related.
By authority of a resolution adopted De- cember 10, 1835, by the provisional govern- ment of Texas, which existed from November, 1835, to March, 1836, delegates, clothed with plenary powers, were elected February 1, 1836, to meet in convention at Washington, on the Brazos, March 1. The provisional government was composed of Henry Smith, governor; James W. Robinson, vice governor; and a council. At the period of the meeting of the convention, the council had quarreled with and deposed the governor, and Mr. Robinson was acting governor.
The convention assembled at the date above mentioned. The official journal opens thus: "Convention of all the People of Texas, through their Delegates Eleet. " George C. Childress of the municipality (county) of Mi- lam, moved that James Collingsworth, of Brazoria, be called to the chair, which motion prevailed; and Willis A. Farris was appointed secretary pro tem.
After the roll of members was completed, the convention proceeded to the election of president, when Richard Ellis of Red river (theu l'ecan Point) was elected unanimously. H. S. Kimble was chosen permanent secre- tary.
60
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
On the afternoon of the first day George C. Childress offered the following resolution: That the president appoint a committee of five to draft a declaration of independence, which was adopted, after an offered substi- tnte had been rejected. The president ap- pointed on this committee, George C. Child- ress, of Milam, James Gaines of Sabine, Edward Conrad, of Refugio, Collin Mc Kin. ney, of Red river, and Bailey Hardeman, of Matagorda.
On the second day, March 2, a committee of one from each municipality was appointed to draft a constitution for the (contemplated) Republic of Texas, comprising Martin Palmer (chairman), Robert Potter, Charles B. Stew- art, Edwin Waller, Jesse Grimes, Robert M. Coleman, John Fisher, John W. Bunton, James Gaines, Lorenzo de Zavala, Stephen II. Everitt, Bailey Hardeman, Elijah Stapp, William C. Crawford, Claiborne West, James Power, Jose Antonio Navarro, Collin Mc- Kinney, William Menefee, William Motley and Michael B. Menard.
On the same day, March 2, Mr. Childress, chairman of the committee, reported the draft of a declaration of independence; Mr. Collings- worth was called to the chair, while Mr. Ilonston introdneed the following resolution: That the declaration of independence reported by the committee be adopted, and that the same be engrossed and signed by the delegates of this convention. The question being put, the resolution was unanimously adopted.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
When a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people from whom its legitimate powers are derived, and for the advancement of whose interests it was instituted; and, so far from being a guarantee for theirinestimable and inalienable
rights, becomes an instrument in the hands of evil rulers for their oppression; when the federal republican constitution of their conn- try, which they have sworn to support, no longer has a substantial existence, and the whole nature of their government has been forcibly changed, without their consent, from a restricted federative republie composed of sovereign States to a consolidated central military despotism, in which every interest is disregarded but that of the army and the priesthood, both the eternal enemy of civil liberty, the ever ready minions of power and the usnal instruments of tyrants; when, long after the spirit of the constitution has departed, moderation is so far lost by those in power that even the semblance of freedom is re- moved, and the forms themselves of the consti- tution discontinued; and, so far from the petitions and remonstrances being disre- garded, the agents who bear them are thrown into dungeons, and mercenaries sent forth to enforce a new government upon the point of the bayonet; when, in consequence of such acts of malfeasance and abduction on the part of the government, anarchy prevails and civil society is dissolve.l into its original elements. in such a crisis the first law of nature, the right of self-preservation, the inherent and inalionable right of the people to appeal to the first principles and take their political affairs into their own hands, in extreme cases, en- joins it as a right toward themselves and a sacred obligation to their prosperity, to abol- ishi sueli government and create another in its stead, calenlated to rescue them from im- pending dangers, and to secure their welfare and happiness.
Nations, as well as individuals, are amen- able for their acts to the public opinion of mankind. A statement of a part of our griev- ances is therefore submitted to an impartial world in justification of the hazardous but unavoidable step now taken, of severing our political connection with the Mexican people and assuming an independent attitude among the nations of the earth.
The Mexican government, by its coloniza- tion laws, having invited and induced the
01
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Anglo-American population of Texas to colonize its wilderness, under the pledged faith of a written constitution, they should continue to enjoy that constitutional liberty and republican government, to which they had been habituated in the land of their birth, the United States of America. In this ex- pectation they have been ernelly disap. pointed, inasnich as the Mexican nation has acquiesced in the late changes made in the government by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who, having overturned the con- stitution of his country, now offers us the cruel alternative either to abandon onr homes, acquire l by so many privations, or submit to the most intolerable of all tyranny, the com- bined despotism of the sword and the priest- hood.
It has sacrificed onr welfare to the State of Coalmila, by which our interests have been continnally depressed, through a jealous and partial course of legislation, carried on at a far distant seat of government, by a hostile majority, in an unknown tongue; and this, too, notwithstanding we have petitioned iu humblest terms for the establishment of a separate State government, and have, in ac- cordance with the provisions of the national constitution, presented to the general congress a republican constitution, which was without a just cause contemptuously rejected.
It incarcerated in a dungeon, for a long time, one of our citizens for no other canse but a zealous endeavor to procure the accept- ance of onr constitution and the establish- ment of a State government.
It has failed and refused to secure on a firm basis the right of trial by jury, the palla- dium of civil liberty and the only safe guar- antee for the life, liberty and property of the citizen.
It has failed to establish any public system of education, although possessed of almost bonndless resources (the public domains), and although it is an axiom in political science that unless a people are educated and enlight- ened, it is idle to expect the continnance of civil liberty or the capacity for self-govern- inent.
It has suffered the military commandants stationed among us to exercise arbitrary acts of oppression and tyranny, thus trampling upon the most saered rights of the citizen and rendering the military superior to the civil power.
It has dissolved, by force of arms, the State Congress of Coahuila and Texas, and obliged our representatives to fly for their lives from the seat of -goverment, thus depriving ns of the fundamental political right of represent- ation.
It has demanded the surrender of a number of our citizens, and ordered military detach- ments to seize and carry them into the interior for trial, in contempt of the civil anthorities and in defiance of the law and the constitu- tion.
It has made piratical attacks on onr com- merce by commissioning foreign despera loes and anthorizing them to seize their vessels, and convey the property of our citizens to far distant parts for confiscation.
It denies ns the right of worshiping the Almighty according to the dictates of our own conscience, by the support of a national reli- gion calculated to promote the. temporal inter- ests of its hmnan functionaries rather than the glory of the true and living God.
It has demanded us to deliver up our arms, which are essential to our defense, the right- ful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments.
It has invaded our country both by sea and by land, with the intent to lay waste our territory and drive ns from our homes, and has now a large and mercenary army advane- ing to carry on against us a war of extermin- ation.
It has through its emissaries incited the merciless savage, with the tomahawk and scalping knife, to massacre the inabitants of our defenseless frontiers.
It has been, during the whole time of our connection with it, the contemptible sport and victim of snecessive military revolutions, and has continnally exhibite l every character- istic of a weak, corrupt and tyrannical govern. ment.
62
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
These and other grievances were patiently borne by the people of Texas until they reached that point at which forbearance ceases to be a virtue. We then took up arms in defense of the national constitution. We appealed to our Mexican brethren for assist- ance; our appeal has been made in vain; though months have elapsed no sympathetic responso has yet been made from the interior. We are therefore forced to the melancholy conclusion that the Mexican people have acquiesced in the destruction of their liberty, and the substitution therefor of a military government; that they are unfit to be free and incapable of self-government.
The necessity of self-preservation, there- fore, now decrees our eternal political separ- ation.
We, therefore, the delegates, with plenary powers, of the people of Texas, in solemn con- vention assembled, appealing to a candid world for the necessities of our condition, do hereby resolve and declare that our political connec- tion with the Mexican nation has forever ended, and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, sovereign and independent republic, and are fully invested with all the rights and attributes which properly belong to independent nations; and, conscious of the rectitude of our intentions, we fearlessly and confidently commit the issue to the Supreme Arbiter of the destinies of nations.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto sub. scribed our names.
RICHARD ELLIS,
President and Deleyute from Red River.
H. S. KIMBLE, Secretary.
Following is a table of the names, age, place of birth and former residence of the signers of the above Declaration of Inde- pendence:
Namo.
Age.
Born In. Emigrated from.
Richard Ellis.
54
Virginia. Alabama.
C. B. Stewart.
James Collingsworth. 80
Tennessee.
Tennessee.
Edwin Waller. .
35
Virginia.
Missouri.
Asa Brigham.
40
Massachusetts. Louisiana
J. S. D. Byrom. :8
Georgia.
Florida.
Fras. Ruis. 54 Texas.
J. Anto. Navarro. 41
Texas. ..
J. B. Badgelt.
29
North Carolina. Arkansas
W. D. Lacy.
Kentucky.
Tennessee.
William Menefee.
40
Tennessee.
Alabama
John Fisher.
36 Virginia.
Virginia
M. Coldwell.
38 Kentucky. Missouri.
W. Motley.
24
Virginia.
Kentucky.
L. de Zavala.
47
Yucatan.
Mexico.
George W. Smyth.
33 North Carolina. Alabama.
S. H. Everitt.
29
New York. New York.
E. Siapp.
53
Virginia. Missouri.
Clae. West.
36
Tennessee.
Louisiana
W. B. Scates.
30
Virginia.
Kentucky
M. B. Menard.
31
Canada.
Illinois
A. B. Hardin.
38
Georgia.
Tennessee.
J. W. Bunton.
28
Tennessee.
Tennessee.
Thomas G. Gazeley.
35
New York.
Louisiana
R. M. Coleman.
37
Kentucky.
Kentucky.
George C. Childress.
Tennessee.
Tennessee.
B. Hardiman.
41
Tennessee.
Tennessee.
R. Potter.
30 N. Carolina. N. Carolina.
Thomas J. Rusk.
29
S. Carolina.
Georgia.
Charles S. Taylor.
40
Virginia.
Louisiana
R. Hamilton.
53
Scotland.
N. Carolina.
C. Mckinney.
70
New Jersey. Kentucky.
A. II. Lattimer.
27
Tennessee.
Tennessee.
James Power.
48 Ireland.
Louisiana.
Sam Houston.
43 Virginia.
Tennessee
David Thomas.
35
Tennessee.
Tennessee.
E. Conrad.
26
Pennsylvania.
Penn.
Martin Parmer.
58
Virginia.
Missouri
E. O. Legrand. 33
N. Carolina.
Alabama.
S W. Blount.
28 Georgia.
Georgia. Louisiana.
W. Clark, Jr.
37
N. Carolina.
Georgia.
S. O. Pennington.
27 Kentucky.
Arkansas.
W. C. Crawford.
31 N. Carolina,
N. Carolina.
Alabama. Tennessee.
B. B. Goodrich.
87 Virginia.
Alabama.
G. W. Barnett.
43
S. Carolina.
Mississippi.
J. G. Swisher.
41 Tennessee.
Tennessee.
Jesse Grimes.
48 N. Carolina.
Alabama.
S. Rhoads Fisher.
41
Pennsylvania.
Penn.
Samuel A. Maverick. 29
S. Carolina.
S. Carolina.
27 Georgia.
Arkansas.
87 Kentucky.
Kentucky
Andrew Briscoe.
John W. Moore.
Thomas Barnett.
.
S. C. Robertson.
50 North Carolina. Tennessee.
28 England.
New York
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