The Gonzales inquirer. [volume] (Gonzales, Tex.) 1853-current, 1854-04-29
"reminiscences Of Western Texas
EVENTS IN 1889 IN TEXAS.

Ihc year 1899 occupies n prominent position
in the cyentiul history of Texas Ii was then
during Bustsmcntc's administrator as Presi-
dent Of Mexico, that that system Of cncroach
mcnts was commenced which terminated i'm the
revolution resulting in the establishment of our
late Republic. \ plan was put on foot To bring
the people of Texas strictly under military rulc
and to destroy the civil power To do this
more ciicctually, Nacogdochcs was garrisoncd
by considerable force under Col piedras -
another fort was built Mt Ana huac, at the
mouth oil the Trinity, gariisoncd aud com
mandcd by Col. John ID. Brldburn aud Sd
one at Velasco, mouth of tho Brazos, with l73
Mexican troops, COL Ugartcchca in command
Efforts were also made TO restrict the traffic of
the ,colon;sts and the importation of goods
through the Gulf, which caused an alarming
excitement. The colonsiB forcsaw the intcn-
ton OF the government tc stop American en-
lgratlon and thereby prevent the population of
Texas, and secure their submission To the dcs-
potic will of the powers that were. This was
looked upon ms ruinous TO their future pros
poets. AT the same time number of promi.
ncnt Americans in the country had become
obnoxious TO the government, the real cause
being fear of their influence in resisting the
contemplate measures Of tyranny. Under se-
crct orders from the capitol Col Brndburn ar
rested and imprisoned Col William B. Travis,
the hero of the Alamo, Hon Patrick II. Jack,
Ben Hardin and Monroe Edwards, who were
tiedby court.marshal and ordered TO be- shot.
The news of this highland outrage spread
like magic through the colonies, and the public
mind, already excited, rose TO degree of de-
termined enthusiasm in resisting the enforce.
mcnt Of the military DEGREES Men assembled
at various places, and resolved upon an appeal
to arms. Picdras was bcsieged at Nacogdoches
and compelled to retreat towards San Antonio
but being pressed by n few men, (tradition
says I'D he was made the victim of ruse
east of tho Trinity and surrendered The
credit oil this movement Is accorded to some
OF the younger members Of the burst family,
descendants, VIC believe, of tho celebrated Dan
iel Boone.
Another body of ll2 men organized at Bra.
zora, one company Of rifles being commanded
by Capt. Henry S. Brown, the other by Capt.
Russell, Col John Austin acting MS chief They
marched upon Ugartechea at Vclasco, and took
position on the night of the 25th June. Rus
sells company was placed on board a schoon-
or lying i'll the mouth OF the river to serve AZ
artillery Browns riilcs under cover Of the
night, took position ander some drift logs but
seventy yards from the fort, and at day y-brcak
on tho 10Th opened a CALLING and destructive
fire on the enemy. Russers artillery perform
ed good service. So uncrrng were the brave
rifles that not a Mexican could expose his
body, head or hand, but he received q leadcn
messenger to remind him that they had to
contend against men whose aim was death
whenever vital point was exposed. Ugarte-
chea early discovered that to dislodge the ri.
fics was his only hope Of successful defence,
and brought all his guns TO bear upon their
position; but all in vain. The brave young
heroes, though inexperienced and somew hat
wrought upon by the first roar Of artillery,
were encouraged by the coolness of their lead
ers, and very soon manifested the most deter
mined, if not reckless, resolution. The con-
tiict was one Of desperation on both Sides
ugartechea was both brave aud humane
mamie was resolved to hold his position so
long as there was hope but when convinced
of the futility of further bloodsbed--of tho
inieriority of Mexican troops, within n fortifi.
cd position, defended by artillery and mus.
kcts, to a less number Of American riilc-mon
---ireemcn, defending their homes and fire.
sides he preferred nm honorable surrender.
TO u further and useless spilling Of blood
After defence that commanded the respect
OF his nssailants, he hauled down his banner
and surrendered. OF his l73 men one-half
were slain and many others were wounded,
some losing an eye others hand, and nil at
testing how deadly Ind been the precision of
killed aud ifty-two wounded
About the same tins another party Of colo.
nists marched upos Bradburn at Ana huac.
WHO surrendered with but n show Of resist
ancc, AMI thus relieved the colony Of the pres.
ence OF an obnoxious military power.
But notwithstanding these brilliant success,
es, the coionists wore fully aware Of their weak.
ness, and dreaded tho effects of their ,cmerty
whom the facts should become known 30 tho
supreme government But here n fortunate
breeze brought news Of Santa Anna's deciars.
tion against BnstRmen,e ard his pronuncis.
menlo in favor Of tho constitution OF | Sol, and
10 relieve themselves OF what had occurred. the
Toxians held a mass meeting at Turtle bayou,
aud declared that Msg had taken ,ip arms for
Santa Anna and his cause The political chief
OF the department of hcxsr, Don Rasnan AGE
quiz, called meeting nj San Felipe to dolibc.
rate ca the state OF hilSirs Tie scns Don I.u.
ctana Navarro and desc NJ. J Carayalal 10 rep.
resent l,is views TO the Americans. The meet.
ING assembled aud was addressed by col sam
aei W. Williams, now OF Galveston, and resol.
we'd, as lite goed people had done at Tursle
issyoa. that they Aed kess fighting Cor Santa
Anna, ialtl,eugh az the ti0as of hxhtiax tiisy
did not know Sants Anita had pronounced. .)and
sAttslisd With their good lack and sbrrwd dip.
lsmaey, aglcJ resolving that the conquered
seliicre should leave ihs colonies, they al.
joarned sad stinfnsd hclns. to enjoy peacc
aud quiet, until ia iszs-5 aroused 10 q new
ssnss oi danger by the inpsisoasasa. es Aus.
tsn~sshe trcashery Of Santa knna. ard finally
,he declaration ot an esteStelnaling wAs against
them. Se chased the year isss. prdsaislFss
a''Ehs be, peaes aed prosperity 10 Texas,
Sister, arc yoa tsppys'
Ics, deacon, ] Gel . lhccSh was IN Ilsl.