The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-05-25

From the y. s.. Almanac, le47.
MEN; OR, THE Massacre
At COLiAD

appeared last year LII Le'psCs iIoai Tue pen "
Won IL. Ehrenberg, young German, who serv
ed through the brief but terrific struggle ~ 1889
between Texas and Mexico, and who took par
in some of the most fearful scores of that cam
pasn, being likewise one Of the three or foul
who escaped from the treacherous massacre a
Goliad, where Fannings men were murdered II
cold blood by order OF Santa Anna Gutenberg
yiyes the subjoned account of the scene, which
we think will be read with interest, Though the
incidents are in some sort already familiar:
After the names had been called, the order
to march was given, and we filed out through
the gates Of the fortress, the Greys taking the
lead Outside the gate we were received by two
detatchments of Mexican infantry, who marched
along on either side Of Us in the same order a.
ourselves We were four hundred in number
and the enemy abou, seven hundred, not inclu
ding the cavelry, of which numerous small
groups were scattered about the prairie. We
marched in silence, not however, in the direction
we had anticipated, but along the road to Victoria
This surprised US; but upoa reflection We con-
cluded that they were conducting us to some
eastern port, thence 10 be shipped to New Or
leans, which upon the whole, was perhaps the
best and shortest plan. I here was something,
however, in the profound silence OF the Mexican
soldiers who are usually unceasng chaiters,
that inspired me with feeling Of uneasiness
j u
truly might it be SO called Presently turned
my head to see if Mller's people had joined,
and were marching with us. But to my extreme
astonishment, neither they nor Fanning's men,
nor the Georgia battalion, were to be seen. They
had seperated us without our observing it, and
the detachment with which | was marching
consisted only of the Greys and a few Texican
colonists. CHANGING at the escort, their full
dress uniform and the absence OF all baggage,
now for the first time struck me. | thought of
the bloody scenes that had occurred at Tampico,
San Patriclo, and the Almo, OF the false and
cruel character OF those in whose power we were,
and was seized with a presentment OF evil
For moment was about to communicate my
apprehensions to my comrads but hope, which
never dies, again caused me to take more
cheering view of our situatron. Nevertheless,
in order to be prepared for the worst, and in
case Of need, to be unineumbcred in my move
ments, l watched my opportunity, and threw
away amongst the grass oithe prairie bundle
containing few things that the thievish Mexi-
cans had allowed me to retain.
A quarter of an hour had elapsed since our
departure from the fort, when suddenly the COM
mand was given in Spanish to wheel to the left
leaving the road and, as we did not understand
the order the officer himself went in front TO
show the way, and my companions followed
without taking any particular notice OF the
change of direction. To our left ran musket
hedge, five or six feet in height, at right angles
with the river of San Aantonia, which flowed at
about thousand PAGES from US, between banks
thirty or forty feet high, and of which banks,
the one on the nearer side of the river rose nearly
perpendicular out Of the water. We were
marched along the side Of the hedge towards
the stream, and suddenly the thought flashed
across us, >" Why are they taking US in this di-
rection ?" The appearance of a number Of Ian.
GERS, cantering about in the fields on our right,
also startled us and just then the foot soldiers
who had been marched between us and the
hedge, changed their places, and joined those Of
their comrades who guarded US on the other
hand. Before we could divine the reason ofthis
manGuvre, the word was given to halt. ltcame
like sentence of death !; for at the same mo-
ment it was uttered the sound Of a volley Of
echoed across the prairie. We then
thought of our comrades and Of our own probable
fate.
Kneel dowa!" now burst in harsh accents
from the lips of the Mexican commander.
No one stirred. Few Of us understood the
order, aud those who did would not obey. The
Mexican soldiers stood at about three PAGES
from US, levelled their muskets at our breasts.
Even then we could hardly believe tina: they
meant to shoot us for if we had, we should
nssuredly have rushed forwardin our desperation,
and, weaponless though we were, some of our
murderers would have met their death at our
hands. Only one of our number was well ac-
quainted with Spanish, and even he seemed as
if he could not comprehend the order that was
given. He stared at the commanding officer as
it awaiting its REPETITION, and we stared at him,
ready at the first word he should utter, TO spring
upon the soldiers But he seemed to be, as most
Ill -
demonstration was merely menace, used 10
induce us to enter the Mexican service With
threatening gesture and drawn sword the chief
of the assassns again calculated the command
to kneel down. The sound Of second volley,
from different direction with the first, just then
reached our ears, and was followed by con-
fused cry, as ifthose at whom it had been aimed,
had not all been immediately killed Our CON-
rads, the one who understood Spanish, started
from his momentary lethergy, and boldly ad.
dressed u.s.
"Comrades," cried he, "you hear that report,
that cry. There is no hope for us-our last
hour is come. Therefore comr ,des---"
A terrible explosion interrupted him-and
then all was still A thick cloud of smoke was
wrealhing and curling towards the San Anto.
ny. The blood Of our lieutenant was on my
cloths, and around me lay my friends, conyus.
Il
Unhurt myself, sprang up and concealed by
the thick smoke, fled along the side of the
hedge in the direction OF the river, the noise OF
the water for my guide. Suddenly blow from
q heavy sabre fell upon my head, ard from out
of the smoke emerged the form Of a little Mex
lean lieutenant. He aimed second blow at me,
which pared off with my left arm. had
nothing to risk, but everything to gain. 1t was
life or death. Behind ,ne thousand ba yonets,
before me the almost powerless sword OF
coward. l rushed upon him, and with true
Mexican valor, he fed from an unarmed man.
On went, the river rolled at my feet, the shout
ing and yelling behind. "Tcxas forever cried
|, and without moments hesitation, plunged
into the water. The bullets whistled round
me as swan slowly and weary to the other
who had been with us through the campaign,
and had jumped into the river with me, fell a
last sacrifice to Mexican cruelty. chad reach
ed the middle Of the stream, when a ball struck
him and he disappeared.
Whilst these horrible scenes were occurring in
the praries, COL Tanning and his wounded
companions were shot and bayonetted at Golad
only Dr.. Thackleford and few hospitable aids
having their lifes spared, in order that they
might attend to the wounded Mexcans. Be
sides Mr.. Gutenberg, but three Of the prisoners
ultimately escaped the slaughter.
Having crossed the San Antono, Gutenberg
struck into the high grass and thickets which
concealed him from the pursuit Of Mexicans,
and wandered through the prairie, guiding him.
self, as best he might, by sun and stars, and
striving to reach the river Brazos.-He lost his
way and went through variety Of striking nd
ventures, which with some characterize sketches
of Texan life and habits, of Gen. Sam. Houston
and Santa Anna, and a spirited account Of tn.
battle Of San Jacinto, at which, however, he him.
self was not present, fill up the remaider Of his
book.
JOHN RANDOLPH OUTDONE.
Ofthe many amusing anecdotes Of this man
Of Roanoke, we do not believe the following