Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-02-24

rendezvous, which was on the river Salado, a
bout fifteen miles from San Antonio, the prin
cipal city OF the province. This latter place it
was intended to att1ck--an enterprise of some
bodncss and risk, considering that the town
was protected by strong fort, amply provided
with heavy artillery, and garrison of nearly
three thousand mon, commanded by officers
who had, for the most part, distinguished them
selves in the revolutionary wars against the
Spanards. Our whole army which we found
ofGeneral Austin did not exceed eight hun
drcd men.
The day after that on which Tanning and
myself, with our tourand-thirty recruits, reach
ed headquarters, council Of war was held,
and it was resolved to advance as far as the
mission of Santa Espada The advanced guard
was TO push forward Immediately; the main
body would follow the next day. Tanning and
myself were appointed TO the command of the
vanguard, in conjunction with Mr.. Wharton,
wealthy planter, who had brought a strong par
ty Of volunteers with him, and whose muture
age and cool Judgment, it was thought, would
counterbaIance any excess of youthful heat
and impctuosity on our part. Selecting ninety
two men of the eight hundred, who, To d man,
volunteered To accompany us, we set out for the
mission.
These missions are sort of picket houses or
outposts Of the Catholic church, and are found
IN great numbers in all the frontier provinces of
Spanish America, especially in Texas, Santa
f., and Cohahulia. They are usually of snfli-
cent strength TO afford their inmates security
against any predatory party of Indians or other
maraudcrs, and are occupied by priests.
= On reaching San Espada we held discus
sion as 10 the propricty of remaining there un-
I'll the general came up or advancing at once
toward the river Wharton inclined to the tor
mer plan, and it was certainly the most prudent,
for the mission was a strong building, surround.
ed by a high wall, and might lave been held a.
ngnst very superior numbers. Fannng and I.
however, did not Ike the idea of being coopcd
up in house, and at last Wharton Welded.
Of eight men, and with the remainder set ont
in the direction OF the Saado, which flows from
north 10 south, third of mile to the west.
ward of the mission. About halfway between
tse latter and the river, was a small group, or
island, of muskcet trees the only object that
broke the uniformity OF the prairie. The bank
ofthe river on our side was tolcrably stcer, a.
bout cigh, or ten feet high, followed on, here
and there, and covered with thick network o
wild vines. The Salado at this spo, describes
a sort of bow-shapcd curve, with ford at either
crd, by which alone the river can be passed
for although not very broad, it is rapid anl
deep. We resolved to take up position with
in this bow, calculating that We might manage
to defend the two fords, which were not above
quarter OF a mile apart.
At the sane time we did not lose sight Of th,
dangers of such position, and of the almos
certainty that if the enemy managed to eros
the river, we should be surrounded and cut of
But our success on the few occasions on whicl
we had hitherto come to blows with the Mcxi
cans, at Nelasco, at Nacogdochcs, and Gal
weston, had inspired tbs with so much confidence
we considered ourselves a match Tor thousands
ufsuch foes, and actually began to wish the en-
emy would attack US before our main body cam,
up. We reconnoitcrcd the ground, stationed I
picket of twelve men at each ford, and an cqua
number in the island of muskcct trees anC
established ourselves with the remainder a
mung the vines and in the hoiows on the riyel
bank
The commiSsariat department Of the TeXar
army, was, as may be supposed, not yet PLACED
upon any very regular footing, In fact, ever!
man, was, for the present, his own commissary
general. Finding our stock OF provisions to b,
very small, we sent out a party OF torager
who soon returned with three sheep, whicl
they had taken from raHcEo within mil,
OF san Antonio. An old priest, whom the,
found there, had threatened them with the an
ger of Heaven and ot General Cos; but the!
paid little attention to his denuncations, and
throwing down three dollars, walked oil wit
the sheep. The priest became furious, go
upon his mule, aud trotted away in the dlrec
ton of the city to complain TO General Cos Z
, the misconduct o! the heretcs.
f After this we made no doubt that we shoul
5 soon have visit from the worthy Dons. Ne
!, verthcless the evening and the night passed a
way without Incident. Day broke-stll II