Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-03-19
ADVENTURES TEXAS.
No Ill
THE STRUGGLE.

discomfort showed themselves, and several Skin.
mshes occurred between the American settlers aud
soldery. The two small forts of Vaasco and
Nacogdoches were taken by the former, and their
garrisons and couple of ieldofIicers made prison.
ers: soon after which, however, the quarrel was
made up by the Intervention Of Colonel Austin on
the part Of Texas and Col Mea on the part Of
the Mexican authorities.
But in the year '33 occurred Santa Annals
detection from the liberal party, and the imprison.
ment ofStephen +. Austin, the Texan representa-
tiyein the Mexican Congress by the Vice-P President,
Gomez Faras This was followed by Texas
adopting the constitution Of 1924 and declaring
itself an independent state OF the Mexican Repub.
lie. Finally, towards the close of 1895 Texas
threw OF the Mexican yoke altogether, voted itself
free and sovereign republic, and prepared TO defend
by arms its newly asserted liberty
The first step to be taken was, to secure our
communications with the United States by getting
possessions of the sea ports. Gen. Cos had occu-
pied Galveston harbor, and built and garrisoned
block-fort, nomnally for the purpose Of enforcing
the custom laws, but in reality with view to
Gu. Off our communications with New Orleans and
the States. This fort it was necessary to get
possession Of, and my friend Tanning and myself
were appointed TO that duty by the Alcade, who
had taken prominent part in all that had occur
red
Our whole force aud equipment wherewnh TO
accomplish this enterprise, consisted IN a sealed
despatch to be opened at the town of Columbia
and hafbreed, named Agos;no, who acted as
guide. On reaching Columbia, we called to-
gether the principal inhabitants of the place, and
Of the neighboring towns Of Bolivar and Marion,
unsealed the letter in their presence, and in six
hours afterwards the forces therein specified were
assembled, and we were march towards
Galveston. The next day the fort was taken, and
the garrison made prisoners, wthou, our losing a
single man.
We sent of our guide TO the government at San
Felipe with news Of our success. In nine days he
returned bringing as the thanks of Congress, and
fresh orders. We were to leave garrison in the
fort, and then ascend Trinity river. and march
wards San Antonio de Bexar This route was all
the more agreeable to Tanning and myself, as it
would bring us into the immediate vicinity Of the
hGciendas, or estates, of which we had some time
previously obtained grant from the Texan gov
eminent: and we did not doubt that we were
indebted to our friend The Alcalde for the orders
which thus concated our private convenience
with our public duty
As we marched along we found the whole country
in commotion, the settlers all arming, and haste
ming TO the distant place of rendezvous. We
arrived at Trinity river one afternoon, and immedi-
ately sent messengers for forty miles in all drec-
tons to summon the inhabitants At the period
in question, the plantations in that part Of the
]
ertheess, by the afternoon Of the next day we had
got together four-and-thirty-men, mounted on mus
tangs, each equipped with rifle and bowieknife pow
derhorn, and bulet-bag and furnished with proyis-
ions for several days With these we started for San
Antonio de Bexar, march of two hundred aud
fifty miles, through trackless praries intersected
with rivers and streams, which. although not quite
so big as the Mississippi or Potomac, were yet
deep and wide enough to have offered serious
dina IL rrpiaa Nua 10 Haxia an
farmers and backwoodsmen, they trihing OBJ
STAG es. Those we could not wade through we
s'an over; and in due time, aud without any in
ciden )rthy ofnote, reached the appointed place
/ OF rende ,Vous, which the river Salado, a.
bout fifteen miles from San Antonio, the principal
city Of the province. This latter place il was in
tended to attack-an enterprise of some bOldness
and risk, considering that the town was protected
by strong fort amply provided with heavy artillery
and had garrison of nearly three thousand men
commanded by off e:s who had, for the most part
disting ushed themselves in the revolutionary wars
| against the Spaniards. Our whole army which we
found encamped on the Salado, under the command
| Of General Austin, did not exceed eight hundred
men.
The day afer that on which Tanning and myself
with our four-and-thirty recuits, reached head
| quarters, a council of war was held, and it was
resolved to advance as far as the mission Of SAINTS
Espada. The advanced guard was to push forward
/ Immediately; the main body would follow the mex
day. Tanning and myself were appointed TO the
command Of the vanguard, in conjunction witt
! Mr. Wharton, wealthy planter, who had brought
a strong party Of volunteers with him, and whose
mature age and cool judgment, it wasI hought, would
counterbalance any excess Of youthful heat aud
impeluosity on our part Selecting ninety-wo mer
out Of the eight hundred who, TO man. volun
teered to accompany us, we set out for the mis-
sion.
These missions are sort OF picket-houses oil
outposs Of the Catholic Church, and are found il
great numbers in all the frontier provinces OF Span
ish America, especially in Texas, Santa Fe, anc
Cohahuila. They are usually OF sufficient strength
to afford their inmates security against any preda
tory party of Indians or other marauders, and are
occupied by priests, who, while using their endea
vors to spread the doctrines the Church Of Rome
act also as spies and agents Of the Mexican gov
eminent.
On reaching San Aspada, we held discussion
as to the propriey Of remaining there until the
river. Wharton inclined to the former plan, anc
it was certainly the most prudent, for the mission
was strong building, surrounded by high wall
and might have been held against very superior
numbers Tanning, and |, however, did not like
the idea of being cooped up ia house, and al
last Wharton yielded. We left our horses and
mustangs in charge of eight men, and with the
remainder set out in the direction Of the Saado
which flows from north to south, a third of mile
! 10 the westward of the mission. About halfway
between the latter and the river, was a small group
or island, Of muskeet trees the only object which
broke the uniformity Of the prairie. The bank o.
] the river on our side was ,oleraby steep, about