The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-25
Massacre Of the Germans in Texas.

AAAeSSetsSAN Va VAS W. AAoAS ~ AOAoe~
Translated from the Galveston Union for the Register
by Louis ALrsrAErrER.
The Galvesion Uai0a is a German paper, es-
tahiishaa spaes &C occupation Of that pRcpa
Jy he Union Jorcees.
Near the origin of the Quad Cane and
Piedruales on Johnston's Creek, several
American and two German families set
tied but two years ago. Contending
against the roughpess of the soil and the
wild Indians, they had no pleasant pu-
sition, but they persevered, conscious of
their courage and their intrepidity, and
the lower settlements owed it TO Them
that they had less to suffer from the raids
oisthe Indians. These border inhabitants
received but little news about the condi-
ton of the country and the events of the
war, All at once they were notofied 60
pay war taxes and TO drill The first
demand they could not comply with,
because they had no money, not even
cornmeal for their families, and the last
order they could not obey because thew
lived so distant from each other and their
absence would leave their families with
out protection. For these reasons they
were considered Union men and Captain
Dull, notorious rowdy, was sent against
the settlers with company of Texans.
They asked the protection of their friends.
but had TO fly from the overpowering
number of their enemies to the noun
tains. Many Germans and Americans
We're arrested and imprisoned in Freder-
icksburg, and Captain Duff was rein
forced by 400 men to operate successful
" against the German abolitionists, and
hunt up the Yankees. The soldiers again
visited Johnston's Creek, but found the
most of the settlers had fed to the noun
tains. Fred. Degener alone they surpri--
sed sleeping under the porch of his
house, but awakened by the cries of dis
tress of his wife and the discharge Of
muskets of his enemies, who fred IL
shots after him, he fortunately made his
escape.
His house YVES ransacked and all
movable property taken off. Other farms
in the neighborhood were also searched,
the families taken prisoners and the
houses burnt down. Upon the news of
these events Fred Degener and other flu
gitiges concluded TO fly to Mexico more
exiles joined them and soon they had
company of 68 men. But they travelled
too slowly and before daybreak one
morning they were surprised by 200
| Texans. After most determined resis-
tance they were defeated and only IL OF
them covered with wounds made good
their escape.
All fugitives which afterwards fell
into the hands of the enemy were hung
up. Among these 69 men only were
Americans, the others all Germans. A
few of the fugitiyes escaped across the
Rio Grande; others wandering in the
mountains and suffering extreme hunger,
sought protection among American fam
lies but were handed over to their per-
secutOrs and shot or hung.
To this news, DIR. Adolph Douai, a
celebrated German traveller, who for
many years had lived in that country,
makes the following notes:
eve know personally the most of
these unfortunate victims, which have
been murdered so mCrcilessly-not be-
cause they rebelled against the Govern
ment, but because they would not act
against the Union and would rather fiy
to Mexico. These murdered Union men
were some Of the greatest benefactors Of
ine Dtate lney nau uOne Jne niiuesG
pioneer work in il, cleared IL from the
wild beasts and Indians they had saw
ed it TO civilization through more than
one period of pestilence and famine; Sc
cured as borderers their present perse-
cutors, the shareholders against the inva-
sions of Indians, and done the best SER
vice as volunteers in the Mexican war
and the wars on the frontier. They
placed the arts and sciences in Texas as
well as they could be found anywhere
among the American Germans. They
furnished the proof that they could cuf-
tivate sugar and cotton without the least
danger 10 health, and increased the rich
es Of the country millions of dollars"
The above related events are their re-
ward for it. Hundreds who succeeded
in making their escape rove about in the
woods, having lost everything, some even
their families. Hundreds are now chas-
ed like wild beasts through the wilder
ness of Northwestern Texas, aud sue
cumb because of the most horrible tor
lures, their fate never being known TO
their fellow men.