The Gonzales inquirer. [volume] (Gonzales, Tex.) 1853-current, 1853-12-03
Fannin's Men; or the Massacre at Goliad

Fannin's Men; or the Massacre at Goliad.
Blnckwood" is publishing series of cx.
tracts from work, "a Campaign in Texas"
which appeared last year in Lcipsic, from the
pen Of Won II. Ehronbcrg, n young German,
who served through the brief but terrific strug-
gle, In 1885, between Texas and Mexico, and
who took part in some of the most fearful
scenes Of that campaign, being likewise ono Of
tho three or four who escaped from the trcacl.
crous massacre at Golad, where Fannin's men
were murdered in cold blood by order Of Santa
Anna. Ehrcnbcrg gives the subjoincd account
OF the scene which We think viii bc read with
interest, though the incidents arc in sonlo 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, tho Grcys taking the
lead. Outside the gate we were received by
two dctachments Of Mexican infantry, who
marched along OH either side of US, In the same
| order as ourselves. We wcrc four hundred In
number, and tho enemy about seven hundred,
not including the cavalry, 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, upon
reflection, we concluded that they wero con-
ducting us to somo eastern port, thence to be
shipped to New Orleans, which, upon the
| whole, was perhaps the best and shortest
plan. There was something, however, in the
profound silence Of the Mexican soldiers, who
are usually unccasng chattercrs that Inspired
me with afccling Of ofuneasincss and anxiety. II
was like funeral march, and truly might Il be
SO called. Presently turned my head 10 sec
IL Milcr's people had joined, and were march
ing with us. But to my extreme astonlsl.
incnt, neither they nor Fannin's men, or tho
battalion, were to be seen. te
They had separated from us ithout our oh.
serving it and the detachment with which
was marching consisted only Of the Grcys and
= fcw Texan colonists. Gancing at the escort,
their full dress uniform, and the absence Of oil
baggage now for the first time struck me,
thought of tho bloody scenes that had occur
rcd at Tampico, San Patricio, and the Alamo, of
the false and cruel character Of thosp In whose
power wc were, and was seized with pro-
sentiment OF evil. For moment was about
TO communicate my apprehension 10 my com
rades, but hope, which never dies, again caused
| me to take moro cheering view on my sltua-
ton. Nevertheless, in order 10 be prepared for
tho worst, and IN case of need, to be unincu,n.
bered IN my movements, | watched my oppor.
tuhity, and threw away among tliegrass OF the
prairie bundle, containing u few things that
the thicsish Mexican had allowed me TO re.
tain.
a quarter Of an hour had elapsed since our
departure from the fort, when suddenly the
4 command WAS giycni in Spanish to wheel to the
iett, leaving tho road aud, as wc did not un-
derstnnd the order, the officer himself went in
front to show the way, and my COMPANIONS
followed without taking any particuiar notice
OF tho change Of direction. To opf lcft ran a
muskcct hedge Ave or six feet An height, at
right angles with the river Of San Antonio,
which flowed at about athousand PAGES from
us, between banks thirty on forty feet high,
and OF which banks the one pm the nearer side
tho wator. Wc wcrc nNrchcd along the side
OF the hedge towards fnc stream, and sudden
| y the thought dashM across us, "Why arc
they taking us III this direction" ?" Tho ap-
pcarancc Of n iibmbcr of lanccrs cnntcring
about In the fields OF our right, also startled
us; and just AZ tho foot soldiers who Ind boon
marched between us and the hedge, changed
their places, and joined those Of their com
radcs, who guarded us OH the other hand. BE
fore we could diyine tho reason OF this ma
nucuvrc, the word was soon given to halt. II
came Ike n sentence OF death; for nt tho same
moment II was uttered, the sound OF yocy
oi uIushutr, v1iit,et. ;;;;;;.s:.ss !.e nsarie W.
tiion thought of our comrades and of our pro.
bablc lnte
! Knccl DOWN." now burst IN ha,sl, accents
/ from the lips Of the Mexican commaudcr
/ No ono stirred. Few Of US understood the
order, and those who did would no, obey. Tho
4 Mexican soldiers who stood at about three pm
COS from us, lcyolcd their muskeis at our
breasts. Even then we could hardly believe
| that they meant 10 shoot us; for IL we had we
should assureslly have rushed forward in our
desperation, and. wcapcn'ess though we were,
j some Of our mur,lcrcrs would have met their
/ death at our hands. Only one Of our nu,nber
MAS well acquainted with Spanish. aud oven hc
+ seemed as II hc could not comprehend the or
der that hal been given lie stared nj the com.
manding oilicor as IL awaiting ,srcpotition aud
I we stared at him, ready at the first wori he
+ should utter 10 spring upon the soldiers Hat
ho seemed to lse. as most IL us were, Impressed
/ with tho bellof that the demonstration Was
I merely = ..ssscc, used ,c laduee Us Ia cntcr
( tho Mexican sersicc. With threatening ges.
tarvs and drawn Swari, il,e chief OF the aSSaS.
sins again calculated the command 10 knccl
down. The sound eI a ses'ond ,ollcy. from q
diiiervnt dirvciion with thc first. Just then
F reschcd Our cars, sri vas filowe,i is csn
fassd cry, as ifthoSe al whom !, hal heca aini.
+ cal. ba,i nei all hscn l,a@eltaiel, kSlloi car
sosnrssle. the one eie understood Spani>i,
started fcem his neleensary lo,lesrsy, and
ssclily aslIrvsSei ns.
+ "cemtasls," stie,i hc. You hear thai ~
Isss, that cry. 1hcry Is no hss,e Ess as 4us,r
lsst hour y eemei fhcrvtere cemssis------
\ terrible csl,tessn iassstuptri tlas ass,i
ibsn az wss ssiA \ ihtSA, esoai ~ slaeAc
sas erSathsag sna earlsssx towards the san
Aataasa The h'epi cs sssg hessteesAl was
en sns Sicssses sssi sssnass nae as sny tslsssslS
cnsalsssi with tseir isst egNay. saw scih,
isss mssNs unhuss nsysSls. sssaag ~ ssl.
vsnccsled hy ,hs thl.k sssec&s, siers slsaa the
hssiee IN Tho diressa Il The user. iAe ~ -
q The water ks sy gaiae Sadieaiy hles
tresa heavy sstrs iell uyea say besA. ssel
ttssa oss of ne sas..Ss esaSfSyei the fsfsN AZ 4
htsis Mesfcsn lssnsenAat sis ssases 4 sessegaa