Fort Bend County, Texas - Chapter 20, 1904

Before commencing the account of Delgado, we will state that the Mexican army was at Fort Bend, and that all of the people had left, including the company of Captain Martin.

^^On the 14th of April, 1836, His Excellency, the President, ordered his staff to prepare to march, with only one skiff, and leaving his own and the officer's baggage with General Ramirez y Sesma, who was instructed to remain at the crossing of the Brazos, whither we expected to return within three days.

^^On the 13th the fiank companies of the battalions of Matamors, Aldama, Gnerrero, Toluco, Mexico, and, I believe, Guadalajara, had commenced crossing the river with a six-pounder commanded by Lieutenant Ignacio Arrenal, and fifty mounted men of Tampico and Guanajuato, who formed his Excellency's escort. The whole force amounted to 600 men, more or less.*

^^At about 4 o'clock p. m. His Excellency started for Harrisburg, with the force above mentioned. The bottom of the Brazos is a dense and lofty timber, over three leagues wide. On reaching the prairie, we found a small creek, which offered only one crossing.!

form a convenient bridge. The ammunition was passed over by hand, but His Excellency, to avoid delay, ordered the baggage and the commissary stores to remain packed on the mules.* However, the water was soon over the pack saddles, and the oposite bank was steep and slippery. Several mules fell down, interfering with each other, which resulted in a terrible jamming of officers and dragoons, pack mules and horses. This, together with shouts and curses, completed a scene of wild confusion, which His Excellency witnessed with hearty laughter. Several dragoons and officers fell in the water ; the stores were damaged, and two mules were drowned. So much for the precipitation of this march.

^^The sun had already set when we resumed the march, over a muddy prairie. The night was dark ; a great many men straggled off, and our piece of artilery bogged at ever}^ turn of the wheel. Such was our condition, when, at about 9 o'clock. His Excellency ordered a halt in a small grove, where we passed the night without water."

^^At about noon w^e reached a plantation abundantly supplied with corn, meal, sheep, and hogs ; it had a good garden and a fine cotton gin. We halted to refresh men and beasts.

^^At 3 o'clock p. m., after having set fire to the dwelling and gin houses, we resumed our march.t Here His Excellency started ahead with his staff and escort, leaving General Castrillon in command of the infantry. We traveled at a brisk trot, at least ten leagues, without halting, until we reached the vicinity of Harrisburg, at about 11 o'clock at night. His Excellency, with an adjutant and fifteen dragoons, went on foot to that town, distant about one mile, entered it, and succeeded in capturing two Americans, who stated that Zavalla and other members of the so-called Government of Texas had left the morning before for Galveston. A part of the infantry joined us on the following morning at daylight.

'^On the opposite side of the bayou we found two or three houses well supplied with wearing apparel, mainly for women's use, fine furniture, an excellent piano, jars of preserves, chocolate, fruit, etc., all of which were appropriated for the use of His Excellency and his attendants. I and others obtained only what they could not use. After the houses had been sacked and burned down, a party of Americans fired on our men from the woods. It is wonderful that some of us, camped as we were along the banks of the bayou, were not killed. The quartermaster-sergeant of Matamoras was seriously wounded. This incident took place at 5 o'clock p. m. On the same day Colonel Almonte started from Harrisburg for New Washington with the cavalry.

^^On the 17th, at about 3 o'clock p. m.. His Excellency, after having instructed me to burn the town, started for New Washington with the troops. It was nearly dark when we had finished crossing the bayou. Then a courier from Colonel Almonte arrived, upon which His Excellency ordered Iberri to start with his adjutant, bearing dispatches to General Filasola, on the Brazos. At 7 o'clock p. m. we resumed our march. Our piece of artillery bogged at every moment in some hole or ravine. As it was found impossible for the draught mules to cross a narrow bridge,* rendered still more dangerous by darkness and rain. His Excellency instructed General Castrillon to head the

'^Shortly after 10 o'clock at night a violent storm set in ; darkness caused us to wander from our course, in consequence of wliich His Excellency ordered a halt, requiring every man to stand in the ranks, without shelter from the rain.

^^On the morning of the 18th we moved on, our cannon being still far away. At noon we reached New Washington, where we found flour, soap, tobacco, and other articles, which were issued to the men. His Excellency instructed me to mount one of his horses, and, with a small party of dragoons, to gather beeves for the use of the troops. In a short time I drove in more than 100 head of cattle, so abundant are they in that country.!

^'General Castrillon came in at 5 o'clock p. m., with the cannon. On the 19th His Excellency ordered Captain Barragon to start with a detachment of dragoons to reconnoitre Houston's movements. We halted at that place, all being quiet. On the 20th, at about 8 o'clock a. m., everything was ready for the march. We had burnt a fine warehouse on the wharf, and all the houses in the town, when Captain Barragan rushed in at full speed, reporting that Houston was close on our rear, and that his troops had captured some of our stragglers, and had disarmed and dispatched them. There is in front of New Washington a dense wood, through which runs a narrow lane, about half a league in length, allowing passage to pack mules, in single file only, and to mounted men in double file. This lane was filled with our pickets, the drove of mules, and fThese cattle belonged to Dr. Johnson Hunter, he having turned 600 head loose along the banks of the San Jacinto the day before. He was trying to get them across the river, but the boat being sunk, he had to abandon them and save himself and family.

^^Upon hearing Barragan's report, he leaped on his horse and galloped off at full speed for the lane, w^hich being crowded with men and mules, did not afford him as prompt an exit as he wished. However, knocking down one, and riding over another, he overcame the obstacles, shouting at the top of voice : ^The enemy are coming ! The enemy are coming The excitement of the General-in-chief had. such a terrifying effect upon the troops that every face turned pale; order could no longer be preserv^ed, and every man thought of flight, or of finding a hiding place, and gave up all idea of fighting. Upon reaching the prairie a column of attack was formed, with trepidation and confusion, amidst incoherent movements and contradictory orders.

^^At this moment. His Excellency did me the honor to place me in command of the artillery and ordnance, giving me his orders verbally, with strict injunctions as to my responsibility. Meanwhile, the officers having dismounted and taken their stations in front of their commands, we moved in search of the enemy, with flankers on both sides to explore the woods. As the knapsacks might impede the movements of the men. His Excellency ordered that they should be dropped on the road, still preserving our formation. The order was obeyed, the knapsacks being left in the keeping of Providence, or fortune, and we resumed our march.

'Gt was 2 o'clock p. m. when we descried Houston's pickets at the edge of a large wood, in which he concealed his main force. Our skirmishers commenced firing; they were answered by the enemy, who fell back in the woods. His Excellency reached the grounds with our main body, with the intention, as I understand, of attacking at once; but they kept hidden, which prevented him from ascertaining their position. He, therefore, changed the dispositions, and ordered the company of Toluca to deploy as skirmishers in the direction of the woods. Our cannon, established on a small elevation, opened its fire. The enemy responded with a discharge of grape, which wounded severely Captain Urfizia and killed his horse.

^^At this moment His Excellency came to me and ordered me to unload the ordnance stores, and to turn over the twenty mules on which they were packed to Captain Barragan, who was instructed to bring in the knapsacks which had been left on the road. I was cautious enough to part with only eighteen mules, keeping two for an emergency.

^^Then His Excellency went to look for a camping ground, and established his whole force along the shore of the San Jacinto Bay, at least one mile from where I had been left. About an hour later I received orders, through Colonel Bringas, to come into camp immediately with the ordnance stores and the piece of artillery. Thait officer was, also, the bearer of orders to the company of the Toluca, the only force that checked the enemy, to fall back likewise. I observed to Colonel Bringas that it would take some time to execute this order - the chests, as His Excellency knew, being piled up on the ground, and I having only two mules upon which to load them; and, furthermore, that should the company of Toluca leave me unsupported, the enemy would probably pounce upon the stores, all of which would go to the devil. Colonel Bringas advised me to do as best I could, adding, that I ought to know that no observations could be made to His Excellency, and he had no desire to argue with him, in the raving state of mind in w^hich he was.

"The Colonel parted with me, followed by the company of Toluca. It may well be imagined that, as soon as the enemy saw our artillery and stores unprotected he paid them special attention. He established his cannon in such a manner as to disable our gun, and to support an at- tack, should it take place. Their first shot shattered the caisson on the timber; another scattered about our ordnance boxes; another, again, killed two fine mules; and they kept annoying us during the two long hours it took me to remove, with only two mules, forty odd boxes of ammunition. How the General-in-Chief had endangered the whole division ! I acknowledge that I had never before been in such danger. What would have become of me, if, in consequence of the GeneraPs order, the enemy had captured our artillery and stores, as he might have done, unsupported as I was. I had no resource left but to make the best defense I could with my gun. For this purpose I instructed Lieutenant Arenal to have it loaded with grape, and not to fire until the enemy came within close range, in order to both spare ammunition and to intimidate the assailants. At length, at 5 o'clock p. m., my duty was performed, and, as I entered the camp with the last load, I was closely followed by the enemy's cavalry. His Excellency, noticing it, instructed me to order Captain Aguirre, who commanded our cavalry, to face the enemy, without gaining ground. This movement checked the enemy for a few moments ; but, soon after, they dashed upon our dragoons, and were close enough to engage them with the sword, without, however, any material result. Then, His Excellency, deploying several companies as skirmishers, forced the enemy back to his camp, on which he retired sluggishly and in disorder.

''This last engagement took place at sundown. At daybreak, on the 21st, His Excellency ordered a breastwork to be erected for the cannon. It was constructed with pack-saddles, sacks of hard bread, baggage, etc. A trifling barricade of branches ran along its front and right.

had the enemy on our right, within a wood, at long musket range. Our front, although level, was exposed to the fire of the enemy, who could keep it up with impunity from his sheltered position. Retreat was easy for him on his rear and right, while our troops had no space for maneuvering. We had in our rear a small grove, reaching to the bay shore, which extended on our right as far as New Washington. What ground had we to retreat upon in case of a reverse? From sad experience, I answer, none!

few hours before the engagement, I submitted to General Castrillon a few remarks upon the subject, suggested by my limited knowledge. But he answered: AVhat can I do, my friend? I know it well, but I cannot help it. You know that nothing avails here against the caprice, arbitrary will and ignorance of that man.' This was said in an impassioned voice, and in close proximity to His Excellency's tent.

'^At 9 o'clock a. m. General Cos came in with a reinforcement of about 500 men. His arrival was greeted with a roll of drums and with joyful shouts. As it was represented to His Excellency that these men had not slept the night before, he instructed them to stack their arms, to remove their accoutrements, and go to sleep quietly in the adjoining grove. No important incident took place until 4 :30 p. m. At this fatal moment, the bugler on our right signalled the advance of the enemy upon that wing. His Excellency and staff were asleep ; the greater number of the men were, also, sleeping ; of the rest, some were eating, others were scattered in the woods in search of boughs to prepare shelter. Our line was composed of musket stacks. Our cavalry were riding bare-back, to and from water.

stepped upon some ammunition boxes, the better to observe the movements of the enemy. I saw that their formation was a mere line in one rank, and very extended.

In their center was the Texas flag ; on both wings they had two light cannons; well manned. Their cavalry was opposite our front, overlapping our left.

^Tn this disposition, yelling furiously, with a brisk fire of grape, muskets, and rifles, they advanced resolutely upon our camp. There the utmost confusion prevailed. General Castrillon shouted on one side; on another Colonel Almonte was giving orders; some cried out to commence firing; others, to lie down to avoid grape-shots. Among the latter was His Excellency. Then, already, I saw our men flying in small groups, terrified, and sheltering themselves behind large trees. I endeavored to force some of them to fight, but all efforts were in vain - the evil was beyond remedy; they were a bewildered and panicstricken herd. The enemy kept up a brisk cross-fire of grape on the woods. Presently we heard in close proximity, the unpleasant noise of their clamors. Meeting no resistence, they dashed lightning-lik ' upon our deserted camp.

^^Then I saw His Excellency running about in the utmost excitement, wringing his hands, unable to give an order. General Castrillon was stretched on the ground wounded in the leg. Colonel Trevino was killed, and Colonel Marcial Aguirre was severely injured. I saw, also, the enemy reaching the ordnance train, and killing a corporal and two gunners who had been detailed to repair cartridges which had been damaged on the previous evening.

'^Everything being lost, I went, leading my horse, which I could not mount because the firing had rendered him restless and fractious, to join our men, still hoping that we might be able to defend ourselves, or to retire under the shelter of the night. This, however, could not be done. It is a known fact, that Mexican soldiers, once demoralized, cannot be controlled, unless they are thoroughly inured to war.

the left, and about a musket-shot distant from our camp, was a small grove, on the bay shore. Our disbanded herd rushed for it, to obtain shelter from the horrid slaughter carried on all over the prairie by the bloodthirsty usurpers. Unfortunately, we met, on our way, an obstacle difficult to overcome. It was a bayou, not very wide, but rather deep. The men, on reaching it, would helplessly crowd together, and were shot down by the enemy, who was close enough not to miss his aim. It was there that the greatest carnage took place. Upon reaching that spot, I saw^ Colonel Almonte swimming across the bayou with his left hand, and holding up his right, which grasped his sword. I stated before that I was leading my horse, but in this critical situation, I vaulted on him, and with two leaps, he landed me on the opposite bank of the bayou. To my sorrow, I had to leave that noble animal, mired, at that place, and to part with him, probably forever. As I dismounted, I sank in the mire waist deep, and I had the greatest trouble to get out of it, by taking hold of the grass. Both my shoes remained in the bayou. I made an effort to recover them, but I soon came to the conclusion that, did I tarry there, a rifie shot would certainly make an outlet for my soul, as had happened to many a poor fellow around me. Thus, I made for the grove, bare-footed.

^There I met a number of other officers, with whom I wandered at random, buried in gloomy thoughts upon our tragic disaster. We still entertained a hope of rallying some of our men, but it was impossible. The enemy's cavalry surrounded the grove, while his infantry penetrated it, pursuing us with fierce and blood-thirsty feelings.

'There they killed Colonel Batres, and it would have been all over with us had not Providence placed us in the hands of the noble and generous captain of cavalry, Allen, who, by great exertion, saved us repeatedly from being slaughtered by drunken and infuriated volunteers. * Thence they marched us to their camp. I was bare-fo(jted ; the prairie here had recently been burnt, and the blades of grass, hardened by the fire, penetrated like needles the soles of my feet, so that I could scarcely walk. This did not prevent them from striking me with the butt end of their guns, because I did not walk as fast as they wanted me to. These savages struck, with their bayonets, our wounded soldiers lying on the way ; others, following them, consummated the sacrifice with a musket or a pistol shot.

cannot forbear mentioning an incident which affected me deeply, and, I believe, had the same effect on my companions. We were about one hundred and fifty officers and men, picked up by Alienas party, who marched us to their camp under close guard. I have no doubt that the Americans, amid the hurrahs and exultation of their triumph, were lavish of insults; however, not understanding their language, we did not feel it. But, one of our own countrymen, who had joined the enemy's cause, assailed us, in our own language, with such a volley of threats, insults and abuse, that the tongue of the vile and recreant Mexican seemed to have been wrought in the very caves of hell, and set in motion by Lucifer himself. ^Now, you shall see,' he said, ^contemptible and faithless assassins, if you do not pay with your vile blood for your murders at the Alamo and La Bahiah. The time has come when the just cause we defend triumphs over you; you shall pay with your heads for the arson, robberies, and depradations you committed in our country."**

^^What a welcome for honorable men, who knew, in the depths of their hearts, that they had acted in accordance with the dictates of duty, when, unfortunately, prostrate.

and humbled in the extreme, the fate of war had placed their lives at the mercy of these brigands, and when they w'ere awaiting, with resignation, the consummation o-f the sacrifice! Can such wicked men exist?

^^At last, w^e reached the camp. We were seated on the ground by twos, as we had marched. On the bay shore our thirst had been quenched with an abundance of water, which Allen and others allowed to be passed from hand to hand, until all of us were satisfied. A crowd gathered around us asking with persistent impertinence : Hleneral Santa Anna? General Cos?' We knew not the fate of these gentlemen; but to rid ourselves of their repeated questions, we answered : Dead ! Dead ! I still wore my embroidered shoulder straps on my jacket; they attracted their attention, and one after another would say: 'You general?' 'Me no general!' would I answer, until one of the indefatigable questioners tore off my shoulder straps angrily. I was glad of it, as they ceased importuning me with their questions.

"After having kept us sitting about an hour and a half, thev marched us into the woods, where we saw an immense fire, made up of a huge pile of wood, even w'hole trees being used. I and several of my companions were silly enough to believe that w^e were about to be burned alive, in retaliation for those who had been burned in the Alamo. We should have considered it an act of mercy to be shot first. Oh, the bitter and cruel moment ! However, we felt considerably relieved when they placed us around the fire to warm ourselves and dry our wet clothes. We were surrounded by twenty-five or thirty sentinels. You should have seen those men, or rather phantoms, converted into moving armories; some wore two, three, and even four braces of pistols, a cloth bag of very respectable size, filled with bullets, a powder horn, a sabre or bowie knife, besides a rifie, musket, or carbine. Every one of them had in his hand a burning candle. I wonder where they ob tained so many of them, for the heat of their hands and the breeze melted them very fast, and yet that illumina' tion was kept up all night. Was this display of light in* tended to prevent us from attempting to escape? The fools ! WTiere could we go in that vast country, unknown to us, intersected by large rivers and forests, where wild beasts and hunger, and where they themselves would destroy us.

"Early on the 22nd our camp was visited by the so-called Secretary of War, Mr. Rusk, who asked us endless questions upon the grand topic of the day - our defeat and their unexpected success. Colonel Juan N. Almonte, the only one of us who spoke English, answered his questions. That gentleman renewed his visits. Once he asked for a list of the names, surnames, and rank of the captured officers, which list was promptly made up by Almonte, with a pen or pencil, I do not remember which, and handed over immediately.

"There were not wanting among us officers sufficiently forgetful of duty and of the dignity and decorum of their rank, to mingle with the enlisted men, because that it was rumored, that from sergeant down would be spared, and that from lieutenant upwards would be shot. What a shame that such contemptible beings, destitute of honor, should still associate with those who have always proudly borne, and gloried in their noble badges of office.

"Some Americans would come and tell us, in broken Spanish, what was going on amongst their leaders, stating that the officers and the people - ^that is, the soldiery, were holding meetings to consider the question whether we should be shot before notifying it to their government, or whether the execution should be postponed until ordered by the superior authority. Such was the state of our affairs when the assembly, roll-call, or something else, was beaten. OTer a hundred men fell into line; they loaded their guns and then stood at ease. We felt rather nervous. I, for one, was as cold as ice, believing that those in favor of immediate execution had carried the point, and that the fatal moment had come. Soon, however, our contideuce returned, when a good man (they are to be found everywhere) told us to cheer up, as Houston, Rusk, Allen and others, whom I respect for it, had opposed the motion. In fact, the party that had been formed near us went to relieve the guard.

"At this time they began bringing in on wagons and our mules, the arms, stores, clothing, baggage, and all the spoils of our camp, which took four whole days.

"At 2 o'clock p. 111. His Excellency, the General-in-Chief, Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, arrived under the charge of a mounted soldier. He wore linen trousers, a blue cotton jacket, a cap and red- worsted slippers. His captor did not know him, but noticing a motion of curiosity among us as he approached, he became satisfied that he was conducting no common officer, and reported at once with him to General Houston. The latter sent two of his adjutants to inquire of us whether Santa Anna had lost any teeth ; some answ ered that they did not know, but others with more candor, or, perhaps, with less discretion, said : Wes, gentlemen, and you can further say to your general, that the person just brought in is President Santa Anna himself.'' The news spread over the whole camp, and the inquisitive fellows who surrounded us ran to strike up an acquaintance with His Majesty. Some of them proposed to fire salutes, and to make other demonstrations to celebrate the capture of such a lofty person. But Houston courteously forbade it. From this time we were left alone. His Excellency having become the center of attraction.

had noticed repeatedly that some of the Americans went about that combustible matter, and even handled it, with their pipes in their mouths. In one of these instances of carelessness some grains of powder scattered on the ground were ignited. The fire reached the cartridge boxes and their contents, and soon extended to the pans of the muskets, which exploded like an infernal machine. The prairie, too, was set on fire, and the covers of the ordnance boxes were already burning. Those nearest the scene of danger took to flight, we and our sentinels followed, and, although we knew that they would be dissatisfied at our race, and might possibly fire upon us, we kept on running. Then the guard and even some of the officers, in view of the increasing danger, chose not to remain hindmost, and kept pace with us, expecting at every moment the fatal explosion. We had run a considerable distance, when we turned round, and saw that the fire had been extinguished. We could not help applauding the resolution and bold determination with which some of these extraordinary men had rushed into the flames, which they smothered with their feet and blankets, and some water drawn from the bayou. We had a narrow escape. I thought at one time that the conquerers of San Jacinto would all be blown up into eternity ; not, however, without some regret on my part to have to go the way they went, owing to their stupid carelessness.

^^At 5 o'clock p. m. a steamboat arrived, having on board the Texas President, Vice-President Zavala, and other members of the administration.

'^The artillery on board, consisting of two guns, fired a salute of five rounds; the troops in camp were formed in line, and received their Supreme Magistrate with hurrahs; then he was conducted triumphantly to General Houston's tent.

^^Among the Yankees who spoke Spanish a little, and came to talk with, or rather to insult, us was a hunchback - an inveterate talker. The wretch, who did not measure a yard and a half above the ground, took a wicked pleasure in bringing us stirring and unpleasant news. He boasted much of his gallantry, and when reciting his many acts of prowess, the little rascal would say: ^Well, did Santa Anna believe he could trifle with us? Not he! He can, perhaps, fight his own people, because he knows them, and knows also, that they are not brave, and gallant, and determined, as we wera He thought us far away, poor fellow ! Without noticing that we were on his track, keeping him in sight, counting, with our spy glasses, on aee tops, his men, one by one, and allowing him to come and entrap himself in this corner, with no means of escape, as we had burnt the bridge over the bayou, behind him, and had made our preparations to bag every one of you. If he does not sign at once a treaty, putting an end to the war, and removing every Mexican soldier from our territory, it will cost, not only his life, but also the lives of all Df you prisoners.' Such was the conversation of our bold little hunchback.

^^On the 25th, General Oos and Captains Bachiller and Iberri were confined with us. The presence of the general had created such a sensation among the conquerers that they crowded and quarreled for a sight of him - they would even push off the sentinels. The general found it expedient to lie down, wrapping his head in his blanket, to avoid the annoyance of their impertinent curiosity. Scoundrels the 26th our property was sold at auction. It was hard to see them breaking our trunks open and every one of them loaded with our shirts, trousers, coats, etc., whilst we remained with what we had on our bodies.

"I saw my boots going, while my blistered feet were wrapped up in pieces of raw hide. To make up for our cloaks, overcoats, and blankets, which belonged to the highest bidder, they favored us with great-coats of our own soldiers, which were so lousy that we had the greatest trouble to rid ourselves of the vermin ; and, still, we had nothing else with which to cover ourselves.

"It was quite amusing to see these gentlemen putting riding saddles on some fractious and wicked mules, which were nothing beyond the pack. They would adorn them with the green and red cords which our voltigeurs and grenadiers wore on their caps, placing them on their ears, necks or backs. One did put two pair of blinds on one mule - one on the headstall, as it should be, and the other on the nose-band, stopping the poor animals nostrils.

"They would also bedeck their mules with the epaulets of our officers, caring little if one was white and the other yellow - they glittered, that was enough. They delighted in covering their animals with all sort of trappings and colors, after the fashion of our bull-fight clowns. One of these young chevaliers attracted more especially my attention. He had saddled up and adorned his mule, without, however, noticing that the circingle was loose. He mounted the long-eared steed, which was held fast by one of his friends, while he steadied himself in the saddle.

They let go, and you should have seen the brute sccimper over God's own green fields, and scattering about its trappings and ornaments. Lo! our poor fellow files on high, with his saddle, and drops heavily on the ground, from which he could not rise, his ribs being somewhat damaged. This was not the worst, but the mule, once in the woods, could not be caught again. Trials of horsemanship lasted the whole day, but most of the champions shared the fate of the first one. How strange these men are! Many of them act and feel like the wild Comanche.

^^On the 27th and following days, no incident took place worth being noticed. I will only say, to the everlasting shame of our conquerors, that they kept us starving, sleeping in the mud, and exposed to frequent and heavy showers. Still more intolerable was the stench arising from the dead on the field of San Jacinto, which they had not the generosity to burn or bury, after the time-honored custom, regardless of their own comfort and health and those of the surrounding settlements.

'^On the 3rd of May, at 4 o'clock p. m., we were sent to another camjj, distant a little over one league. There were two or three frame houses, but they were occupied by both the conquering and conquered generals, lodging being provided for us under the trees. There, again, an attempt was made to murder General Cos. Four days passed along quietly.

''On the 7th, at 5 o'clock p. m., they marched us on board the steamboat 'Yellowstone,' where we found General Santa Anna, the President, Senor Zavala, and other dignitaries of their so-called government. Shortly after. General Houston was carried on board on his cot, on his way to New Orleans, to obtain medical attendance for a wound he had received in his leg at San Jacinto. There was also the Mexican General Adrian Woll, who had come from our army under fiag of truce. This gallant general, our good friend, was dismissed at sundown, being hardly allowed to embrace two or three of us, with a few hurried words, as we were surrounded by very strict and insolent guards. I saw, as he landed, tears of indignation gushing forth from his eyes at the wretched condition of his brothers-in-arms. I am sure he wished he was lightning, to smite our oppressors. In parting with us he expressed the deepest sorrow.

^'After sunset, we were no longer permitted to move, having to sleep on deck, crowded, like bars of soap, on top of each other. Positive orders had been given to the sentinels to blow our brains out if any man raised his head. Therefore, without obtaining a drink of water, or being allowed to attend to the wants of nature, we laid our heads down motionless, until sunrise.

"Very early on the 8th, after striking a bell three times, as is customary on these vessels, the machine was set in motion, and we glided down to Galveston. Not to forget it, I will mention a strange incident. As the steamboat passed opposite the battle field of San Jacinto, the troops on board were formed, facing to the field, and presented arms, the drums beating a march. They remained in that position until they had lost sight of the field. What was their object?

"There we passed another unpleasant moment. The company from Kentucky was composed of the most reckless, drunken, and lawless men in the Texan army, and we prisoners were placed under the charge of these lambs. Some of the men began, I do not know why, to fight with their fists, which soon brought about a general melee. They struck at each other indiscriminately, some seizing their rifles and pistols. Officers interfered, and were soon mingled in the row, giving and receiving blows. Soldiers knew no longer their officers, and a fierce affray raged for some time. The uproar and stamping of feet on the deck attracted the attention of the gentlemen in the cabin below. They came out to ascertain the cause of the difficulty, but the rascals were so hotly engaged in their contest that they did not even mind the voice of their President and other chiefs any more than the barking of dogs. Fearful that the disorder might increase, and, perhaps, end in a tragic manner, we remained motionless. At length, by choking some of them, and by the utmost exertion, the brave Captain Allen succeeded in restoring order.

^'General Santa Anna was transferred on board the independence^ and we were landed at sunset. I was lucky enough to meet Lieutenant Carlos Ocampo, of the Battalion of Jiminez, who gave me a bounteous supply of coffee and hard bread, with wLich I made up for the last two days^ fasts. For several days our philanthropic benefactors had allowed us but one ounce of food. The citizens, Don Ramon Murgo and Don Gil Hernandez, who had been captured on a Mexican vessel boarded by the Texans, shared the captivity of Lieutenant Ocampo. The bad treatment inflicted by these wretches on that officer can scarcely be conceived. I saw his shoulders covered with stripes and sores, resulting from one hundred lashes laid on him when fastened to a gun.*

'^On the 9th the officers were assigned a camping ground - less than fifty square yards - where we remained until the middle of August. Our condition was infinitely worse on that accursed island, because we had no whole- some water, nor the shelter of shade trees, which we had enjoyed at our former camping grounds. The lieat is much more intense on the coast, and, besides, we had to contend with myriads of flies, mosquitoes, and sand-crabs, not to speak of continual storms and showers. Such we?.e the swarms of mosquitoes, that it would seem that the whole species in the world had taken Galveston for a place of rendezvous. The sand-crabs would bite, without, however, being venomous ; but they gnawed and destroyed our wretched clothing. The little pests became so tame that large numbers of them lived and slept among us. So many enemies at the same time were too much for us. Within forty days, few among us were still in good health. From 10 o'clock in the morning, the sun darted its rays so intensely upon our tents that they became suffocating, their temperature rising to that of an oven, and forcing us out. We obtained water from holes dug on the bay shore - it was warm, and tasted horribly.

"As to food - so long as the stores of a vessel, robbed by them from our nation, lasted, we fared tolerably well ; bu+ these supplies being exhausted, they starved us again.

"The tidings of San Jacinto had spread abroad. Those who received them with the greatest delight were a certain class of vagabonds* and lawless men, burdened with crimes, who hid themselves in the large city of New Orleans. These Gipsies, the refuse of the world, had some scruples in joining the cause of Texas, as congenial as it was to them, for the mere trifling fact that Santa Anna had entered it with 6,000 Mexicans. They had preferred to pause, with due regard to their valuable skins, and await the result. No sooner, however, had they heard of the disaster of the 21st of April, than their patriotism was screwed up to the highest pitch. They be- came louder in their boasts; ran to enlist to fill up the ranks of the Texan rebels, as adventurers, or volunteers, and shipped at once to join the army. Henceforth, shiploads of that hateful rabble came in quick succession from New Orleans. Now they could, without danger, squabble over the league of land, or for the ownership of the land of plenty. t As they approached the coast of Galveston, and descried the promised land, Orestes like, they greeted with enthusiasm their beloved new home. Their hurrahs and expressions of joy were interspersed with deep and repeated draughts of their horrid whiskey. All their trust and hope lay now in the dense forests and fertile plains of Texas.

^^Such were not our feelings. Whenever the arrival of these new-comers was announced, gloom prevailed in our camp, knowing that we had to expect every kind of impertinence. Every gang of that rabble that came surrounded our camp, most of them being drunk, and thought it becoming to make a display of bravery and patriotism, by pouring upon us a volley of ^^Goddams/' and other abusive expressions. Our outward appearance was, unfortunately, quite ridiculous; filthy, lean, unshorn, most of us sick, some in rags, or all but naked, we sought, naturally, to hide ourselves. Not so, however; we were compelled to form in line, in order that nothing might escape the scrutiny, criticism and merriment of our inquisitive visitors, who of course conceived a poor idea of the Mexican people from the samples exhibited before them. Nevertheless, and in spite of the helpless condition in which they saw us, they discussed among themselves the propriety of calling on us at night, for the charitable purpose of murdering us. General Cos, who had received several reports on that subject, sent for the commandant of the

<^There were among the volunteers some men of wealth and education who came to our camp for the only purpose of visiting and being acquainted with the prisoners. These gentlemen were accompanied to our camp by the commandant, who introduced them to us with much regard and formality. After a short conversation, through an interpreter, they took leave of us to call on Don Martin Prefecto de Cos.

^^This young and noble Mexican General was our constant companion and good friend in captivity, relieving, by all means in his power, his countrymen, and particularly the sick, giving them clothing, money and other necessaries. He met the annoyances of captivity with noble resignation ; with his lofty manners and perfect breeding he soothed the ferocious nature of these tigers, causing them to become more tractable and humane with us.* Colonel Morgan, the commandant of our camp, was a harsh and rough man, a violent enemy of the Mexicans. Nevertheless, he became so attached to Cos that he asked of him his portrait, which he showed to all his friends as a particularly valuable gift. Cos evinced such a calm dignity in captivity that twice or three times assassins who had resolved his death desisted from their design upon seeing him, embraced him, and became his friends. Let it not be said that I flatter him, for I have never received any favor from him ; therefore my praise should be above suspicion.

^^On the 16th of that mouth we slept on board a schooner, the name of which I do not remember, and on the 18th we landed at the town of Anahuac, where we remained up to the 25th. At 4 o'clock p. m. we started for Liberty, ten leagues in the interior of Texas, under the orders of Judge William Hardin, of that locality. On our arrival we camped in Judge Hardin's yard, in a small, shady grove. There we breathed a pure air, enjoyed a milder climate, wholesome water, together with much more comfort and liberty. At length we were free from the rod of that pitiless Morgan and the incessant insults of the volunteer rabble. Soon, however, provisions gave out, notwithstanding the repeated and urgent applications of Hardin to his government, which failed to attend to them.

^Ht is proper to say, to the honor and credit of Don Francisco Pizarro Martinez, Mexican Consul at New Orleans, that, when we were destitute of food, clothing, and all other necessaries, most of us down, struggling with chills and fever - the prevailing disease in that country between the months of October and December, this worthy Mexican sent us a supply of excellent hard bread, sugar, coffee, blankets and a plain suit of clothes for every one of us. I am convinced that nothing but the timely arrival of these gifts saved our lives. Had they been delayed only fifteen days, most of us would have died, as happened to fifteen of our companions who were laid in the grave, from exhaustion, before that supply reached us.

Judge Hardin relieved our bitter condition by all means in his power, retaining for himself the worst of his houses, in order to appropriate the two others for our sick. Being ill himself, he went, personally, for a physician, medicine, or whatever we needed. He listened to our frequent applications with remarkable patience; granted them if he could; if not, he felt deeply concerned. For the mere form he kept over us two sentinels at night, relieving them in daytime, and allowing some of us to walk about town. In the month of November he built a fine frame house, at his own expense, to shelter us from rain and cold. After a short time he became very much attached to us, and felt so grieved at our unfortunate condition that he withdrew entirely the small detachment that guarded us, and allowed us the limits of the town. Should some drunken man insult us, he went, or sent some member of his family, to drive him out. Meat and salt were our only rations, and these often gave out. Then, even in the stormiest or coldest days, Hardin would shoulder his rifle and walk out to kill a beef, which he sent, ready butchered^ to our quarters. When we were out of rations, which happened not seldom, his good and virtuous wife was kind enough to send us large pieces of seasoned beef, bacon, coffee, sugar, bread, and whatever was placed on her own table. On one occasion she removed from her family beds five or six mattresses, which were placed on the beds of as many of the sick prisoners. Again, on another occasion, she distributed among us half a barrel of hard bread, all that was left for her own use. The butter, potatoes and corn in the house belonged to the prisoners.

''Oh, virtuous family! How great and how many your exertions have been to relieve the despair of our sorrowful and destitute condition! Oh, William Hardin, thy name, and that of thy noble wife, will be imperishable in the hearts of the Mexican prisoners, who, victims of fate, suffered the unexpected disaster of San Jacinto! I vow that, although fhou art among the criminal enemies of my beloved country, whether of thy own free will, or because thy destiny so willed it, I will never cease to proclaim and praise thy meritorious and charitable conduct towards us.

"The ball was intended to commemorate the bloody 21st of April, 1836, on which so many illustrious Mexicans were immolated. These people had the effrontery to invite to that criminal entertainment General Cos, who of course declined. It was told to him by a man of some standing that there were alarming conversations about the Mexican prisoners. This report was not altogether groundless, inasmuch as the gatherings of those besotted people are invariably more or less influenced by mean liquors. In consequence we spent a very uncomfortable night. However, it happened that Bacchus inspired them wdth gentler feelings. There is no evil that does not work some good. We were told that they deliberated at length upon the question of the prisoners, and that they resolved to send a petition to their government, which was signed even by the ladies, asking it to dispatch us at once or to set us free, as Ave were eating up their meat and supplies. They added that their destitution was daily increasing, and that they would soon have nothing left for their own families, unless the government granted them prompt relief.

^^Hallowed be the hour when this petition was inspired! Its result was that we were set free, which happy news reached us on the memorable 25th day of April, 1837."