The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-01-31
A Texan Sketch.

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/ During the war between Texas and Mexico
in which a few thousand Anglo Americans
met and successfully resisted the power of ar
enemy, numbering over eight millions, and
controlled BY the most rskillfuI and warlike
tyrant that ever aspired to supreme dominion,
or thirsted for human blood, many thrilling in
Ecidents, transpired, many hardships were en-
countered, and many victories won, that never
have been, and probably never will be, recorded
on the pages of history. Some great battles,
rendered great by their results, like that of San
Jacnto, have been duly chronicled, with all
their minute partlculars-w whilst others exhibit
ing still more skill and bravery-and showing
more perceptbly the reckless daring of the
early inhabitants of this country, have been
suffered to fade almost entirely from our recol.
4 lection
The annals of war never furnished more
brilliant achievement than that accomplished
by the brave Jordan and his intrepid soldiers
at the city of Saltillo, and yet but few of the
present inhabitants of Texas, have, probably,
ever heard that such a battle was fought, OF
that such a man as Jordan ever lived.
Early in the spring of 1910, the northern
states OF Mexico rebelled against the tyrannical
government of the usurper, Santa Anna, and
established what they called the republic Of the
Rio Grande, which was declared TO extend from
the Nueces river to the mountains in Mexico,
embracing several states. Juan Jesus Carde-
mas was elected president, Juan Molano, vice
president, Antonio Canales, commander-in-
chief and VIM. S. Fisher, brave American,
adjutant general. 1t was the avowed object OF
this confederacy to reestablish and sustain the
Mexican constitution of 1924, which Santa
Anna had virtually annulled, and which was
principally copied from that of the United
States. AS Santa Anna was constantly threat
ening Texas with another invasion, far more
formidable than the previous one, and was rails
ing armies for that purpose, and as hostile par
ties were frequently assalng our frontier settle
ments, committing their depredations, and re-
treating before sufficient force could be raised
/ to pursue and chastise them, it was deemed
important by our citizens to give encourage
ment and assistance to the new republic. 1t
would divide and weaken the enemy's power
and transfer hostilities from this to his own
country. ....--,a. .. :...S s.
Some time in the spring of 1910, the presi-
dent Juan Jesus Cardenas, and the vice pres-
dent Juan Molano, accompanied by some Mexi-
can officers, visited Victoria for the purpose of
soliciting the assistance of Texan soldiers in
sustaining the new republic. They said that
nearly all the principal towns within its boun-
daries, were opposed to Santa Annals misrule,
and would as soon as they should be convinced
by the presence of American soldiers, that it
was safe, declare for the confederation. Moa-
no was large, fine looking officer, and spoke
the English language with considerable facility.
The good citizens of Victoria, sympathizing in
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him and the president, the honors of public
dinner, which they politely accepted. wor-
thy townsman, Mr.. Asbury James, who kept
the principal hotel in town, prepared the dinner
which was considered at that time, quite splen-
did affair. 1t was spread out upon long tables
prepared for the occasion, under the clustering
branches of the oak trees, on Diamond hill. A
large number of our citizens were present, and
some Of them still retain vivid recollection Of
the events of That joyous time. but alas, a great
majority of them have long since taken a final
leave of earth's scenes and vicissitudes, having
either met an early grave at home, from hard
ships and exposures during the war, or fallen
prey to the treachery Of governmental assas-
sins, planned and ordered by Santa Anna, upon
the plains, or in the mountains of Mexico.
Molano was so far successful in the object of
his visit, as to induce col. Jordan, one of the
bravest men and most skillful commanders that
ever welded sword in the defence of his coun-
try, to undertake to raise company and join
him at certain time upon the Rio Grande. Col.
Jordan soon succeeded in organizing company
of ninety six men, the most resoute and able
bodied that could be found in western Texas,
and all as chivalrous as their commander. They
repaired to the place agreed upon and found
Molano there in command of four hundred
Mexican soldiers,-all yociferous in shouting
''God and liberty!' and ready to die in defence
of the republic of the Rio Grande.
After supplying themselves with provisions,
they took up their line of march for Saltillo.
some three hundred miles in the interior and
at the foot of the mountains. Molano said that
the inhabitants were in favor of the new repub
lie, but were prevented from an open expression
of.their opinions by the presence OF few SOL
diers, kept there by Santa Anna. He had no
doubt, but that his own presence there, at the
head Of five hundred soldiers, would immedi-
ately silence all opposition, and secure the CO.
operation of that important place. .-4
These assurances were entirely satisfactory
to Jordan and his unsuspecting associates. They
little dreamed they were sold by the smiling
Molano, and were by the contract, to be deliv-
cred up at saltillo, into the hands Of the enemy
to inevitable butchery.
Upon arriving in the vicinity of the city,
Molano communicated to Jordan his plan OF
attack, which was certainly rather suspicious,
and created the first misgiving in the minds OF
Jordan and his men, as to the intentions OF their
allies. But it was too late to retreat. Molano
with his Mexicans was to attack that side OF the
town, rather off from the main entrance, Where
he said the soldiers were stationed, and Jordan
was ordered to march directly into the city by
the main road, and take possession whilst his
allies were silencing and securing the soldiers;
No sooner had the treacherous Molano and
his men left Jordan, than they were surrounded
by the enemy and taken prisoners, apparently,
without the firing of a gun, and Jordan's real
situation flashed across his mind for the first
time. Betrayed far into hostile country, in
full view Of populous city-deserted, sold like
beasts, by those whom they had Periled their
lives to serve, and within gun-shot of a well
disciplined army of fifteen hundred men, this
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