Smyrna times., 1857-07-08
Yistorital Skettb.
THE SIEGE OF SAM ANTONIO.
AN INTERESTING STORY.


The news of Santa Annals approach, in full
force, had been generally disseminated over
Texas, and recruits were continually coming
into Gonzales, and being organized into COM
panies and battalions. Much time was neces-
sarily consumed in drilling the raw troops, and
rendering them efficient for successful operation
in the open field. Battalion movements were
practiced, fanking evolutions executed, squares
formed, charges made on imaginary forces, and,
in short, "Cooper's instructions for the school
While these initatory military measures were
being taken, there came to the camp, one day,
a courier, stating that large body Of Canaan
ches were in the vicinity. Soon party were
selected, who started in pursuit of them. They
encamped near the location of the Indians, and
at early dawn mounted their horses and charged
in gallant style upon the savages, who immedi-
ateiy fed. Pursuit was made, number of the
Indians were wounded, and one prisoner was
taken. Considerable booty fell into the hands
of the Texans, consisting OF horses, saddles
bufFalo-robes. and some other articles.
The prisoner taken proved to be a Mexican
youth. He had been stolen by the Camanches
in early life, and therefore possessed all theil
habits and modes of living. The soldiers sup
! piled him with good suit Of black clothes, aEi
allowed him his liberty. He loitered around
! a few days, and then decamped, preferring, M
! doubt the freedom of the savage to that of hi
pale-faced brother.
: In the meantime, the gloomy clouds of wa
had spread their blackness across the horizon
!, and it was quite evident to all that sosn tn,
field would have to be taken. Gen. Austin
who had recently returned from Mexico, wa
9 invited to the command of the volunteers, ,whicl
invitation he accepted. After assuming com
mand, the General, in a public speech at tn
hotel, reciprocated the good feellsgs manifesto
!. towards him by his countrymen. Subsequent
he said publicly, in conversation with on
of his officers, that one of the reasons for hi
having been imprisoned by the Mexican authc
rites, was an alleged disrespect to one of tn
officers of the government. Mrs. Willard, i
her history of Texas, makes the reason to b
q, the interception of letter written by Gener,
II Austin to the Texans, in which he advised thel
y to organize into separate State government
and which letter, after its interception, was sci
to the Mexican authorities at Mexico. 81,
% In the latter part of Septempter, '35, &c
c. Austin, with force of between five and 8
n hundred mounted men, took up his line Of marc
N for San Antonio de Bexa, which is situated
ns tina San ARtonio River, some seventy-five mil
It. distant from Gonzales. The army was sever
days in reaching the Solado, small watt
nourse, about six miles from San Antonio,
- consequence of the poor condition of their al
Id mails. Here halt was made by the .rexal
/ who quartered themselves under the neighb'
de, ing trees. or upon the grass. small force "
sent forward to reconaoitre the position of I
oap Mexicans. Several days were passed in Il
manner, occasionally resulting in skirmisl
~, snS with the enemy. iaisaml
$ An incident occurred about this time VIII
bIs must here relate. Lieut. s. made up co
tpany one day to seek skirmish with the Me