Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-12-15

er scabbard made for his hunting-knile, aud
affirmed that he would wear it as long as he
lived, which he did. About twelve months
after this difficulty. or in September 1927,
sthe great duel took place at Matches.
Alter my brother recovered from his
wounds, he felt as though he had not been
we'll used, or properly treated by some Of his
friends, so he determined TO leave the United
States and 20 TO Texas. For several years
he had spent his winters in New Orleans, but
fduring the time was engaged IN no business
besides what was connected with his land
speculalions. He continued 70 spend these
seasons there until he finally disposed Of his
lands and negroes, which was about the year
1929. or 1880. when be left for Texas with
only about a thousand dollars, which be In
vested there in lands.
lie fearlessy launched forth into all the
then existing war and strife Of that country.
Has valor and courage recommended him TO
the chifalrOus Mexicans, and in a short time
be won name and distinction IN that coun-
try. Here he married the daughter Of Ex-
Governor Berrymenda. She lived to have
one child, but both mother and child were
followed to the grave before be was killed at
the Alamo.
During the few years he spent in Texas, he
had many strange and hazardous adventures,
probably the most notable Of which was the
following. lie and Rein Bowie, with nine
others, went in search Of q silver mine about
200 miles northwest Of San Antonio. While
on this expedition, they were attacked by one
hundred and .ffty Camanche Indians
James, being well acquainted with the habits
and manners Of these sayages, soon perceived
that they were on trail of him and his little party
for the purpose Of numbering or robbing them,
so he .availed himself Of the 6rst suitable place
for defence. lie selected point Of woodland
jutting out to point in the prairie, where
there were great quantities Of loose stones, out
of which he and bis men soon constructed a
a temporary fort for immediate defence but
before they had completed their work, the
savages
Game down like the wolf on the iold.
Like the leaves Of the forest when summer is green
That host with their banners at noon-day were
seen;
Like the leaves Of the forest, when autumn hath
blown,
That host in the evening lay withered and strewn"
These modern Parthians, who fght only on
horseback, and almost live on horseback, are
perhaps the most formidable warriors in the
country. They came boldly up within sixty
yards Of the little rocky fort, and opened a
murderons FIRE upon the inmates On the
frs. iire they killed Mr.. Castleman, broke
the leg Of Mr.. Pool. and shot a Mr.. Doyal
through the body, who. however, recovered
afterwards. This left the two Bowies, five
other white men and one negro, who had to
defend themselves against these merclless
wretches, and at the same time nurse and
attend their wounded comrades. The Indi-
ans continued their attack, riding rapidly
round and ronn d the fort, and keeping up an
incessant FIRE But in the mean time the in
mates Of the fort were not idle. but they kept
up deadly and effective fire upon their as
sailants. James on one side. and Resin on
the other. encouraged and cheered their COM
rades, and showed them how to dodge the
shots of their enemy. The fight continued
for three hours the savages then retreated a
short distance leaving sixty Of their dead on
the prairie grass, together with a number Of
dead horses -
aFor there lay the steed with his nostr all wide,
But throughi it there rolled not the breath of has
pride; eg an 4e
And the foam Of his gasping lay red on the turf
And cold as the spray OF the rock-beaten sur.
And there Law the rider distorted and pale,
With the dew on his brow and the gore on his mail
And the tents were all silent, the banners alone,
The lances untitled, the trumpet unblown."
During the night they carried away the
dead bodies Of their comrades. and early next
morning rene wed tue attack, aud continued
to do so for several days, every day forming
their line Of attack, yet farther AMI farther
of, until they got beyond the reach Of gun
shot Finally, after having killed fully a
hundred Of the Indians and their wounded
comrades were in such a situation as 10 be
moved, they determined oleaye Rocky Fort
which they did in the night, bringing Pool
and Doyal safe back to the settlements.
James had many other fights with the In
dians and Mexicans, the particulars Of which
/ am unable to furnish you.
He closed his career in the bloody battle OF
the Alamo, where he was not SO fortunate as
at Rocky Fort. though. equally as brave and
dauutIe $, and his rife was fully as deadly as
before.
After the final destr action of all the brave
inmates of the Alamo, and when they came
10 attend to the burial Of the dead, tradition
saws that the Mexican chief officer ordered
the remains Of James Bowie 70 be honorably
buried by themselves as be said ''he was too
great a man to be buried with the common
Soldiers" He sleeps alone. without any
stone or inscription to mark the.spot' or say
to the passer-bY, here lie the mortal remains
Of the brave -. j Is. n trr.-s1t
~ The day afier the loss Of the Atlantic
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