Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-12-07
Col. Thomas VIM. Ward .
, the Austin Sta tesman.

announce that Col. Thomas WIN
Ward, one of the last heroes o
Texas, departed this life on tn
night of tho Gath of November, a
| his home in this place. Ho wa'
buried with the honors of Masonry
and Odd Fellowship, and IL large
civic attendance, to-day in the
State Cemetery. The various de-
partments wero closed in honor tt
his memery, and the flag on the
Capitol has been halfmast, ant
many business houses have beer
closed in honor to this brave OLD
hero.
Col. Ward was born in the city
Of Dublin, in the year 1907; and
was appointed a cadet in the mill
tary school of the East India Com
pany, at tho age of fifteen. In
1927 he left London for the United
States, and soon after proceeded to
New Orleans, where he pursued
his inherited profession of engineer
and architect, until the breaking
out of the war in Texas. He had
acquired handsome fortune ; but
his ardent temper was kindled by
the outrages of tho Mexicana
againts our countrymen, and nc
raised and equipped, with his own
resources, q company ofVolGnteefs
known rs the Louisiana Greys,'
at the head of whom he marched to
Texas, and arrived at Velasco on
the 5th of October, 1885. In the
ever-to- -be-rcmembered sanguina
ry battle of San Antonio de Bexar
where all were brave, Capt. Ward
at tho head of an artillery compa'
ny was conspicuous among the
most conspicuous. A force ofabout
1900 men under command of Gen
Ed. Burleson, had been concentra,
ted near San Antonio, in Novem.
ber, 1885. 1t was believed that
owing to the scarcity of artillery,
an attack upon the town was not
advisable, as it was defended by
30 pieces of canon and 500 veteran
troops under Gen. Cos, the broth
in-law of Santa Anna. Therefore
on the 4th of December, 1885, Gen
Burleson issued an order for the re-
treat of the Texan army 10 Goliad
to quarter for the winter; the ar
my to be put in motion after sun
set of the same day. Many of the
Texans, preferring to spend the
winter at theit homes, did not
wait tho time Of sunset, bat left in
squads during the day. When the
time arrived at which the army
was to move, few were left; the
greater number of whom were vol
unteers from the United States
That evening, information was re
ceivcd from Il lieutenant who had
deserted from Cos's army, that the
Texans could enter San Antonio
without much risk. The volun
teers, and some Texans thereupor
determined to attempt the capture
of the town, and elected Col. Ben
r. Milan rs their chief Thai
night tho men busted themselves
in preparing their arms and the
artillery for service. Two pieces
under the command of Col. James
g. Mel, were sent across the river
to make fcint upon the Alamo
to engage the enemy, whilc tht
main body under Milan entered
San Antonio with two pieces o
artillery in command of Col. Franks
and Capt. Ward, tho whole force
under Milan numbering 2l5 men
The Mcxicans under Gen. Cos
numbered 500 men. Col. Neil op
ened fire upon tho Alamo before
daylight of the morning of the 5tt
of December, and the force under
Milan left their camp at daybreal
for the attack, having nearly
milo to march from their camp tt
the town. As soon as Milan gained
the suburbs of the town ho divided
his forco into two divisions, thu
left under command of Col. John
son, who advanced and took pos
session of the Vcramendi House
from the roof of which their riflel
did good execution and kept thu
Mexicans in check. Milan, will
his division and two pieces of ar
tilery, took possession of the Cars
House, both divisions holding theil
positions against superior numbers
supported by 80 pieces of artillery
Our largest piece, a nine FOUNDER
was soon disabled. Upward of q
of the small company of artillery
were hors dc combat in few min
utes, although none were killed
About II o'clock A. NJ, Capt. Ware
lost his right leg by a canon shot
his place was soon filled by a Mr.
Alexander, who was shot through
both lungs and died some days of
forwards, That night q trench
was cut across the street unitin!
both divisions of our little army
Burleson in the meantime was no
idle. He had information OF o re
enforcement of 800 men, under Col
Ugartachea, marching to the aid o
Cos (: and with what mon BurlesoI
could muster out of those who re
turned to camp on hearing the
guns of the action, ho tried to GU
off their reinforcement, but failed
Ugartachsa joined Cos on the sth
Milan was killed on tho 9Th, in tn,
trench connecting his two divi
sions, by q rifle ball in the head
His body and Wards leg wer'
buried in the same grave. Ware
and Milan had been intimate
friends. After the death of Milan
the command devolved upon Col
Johnson. The Texas artillery be
ing cut up by the Mexican fire an'
rendered useless, the volunteers Gu
! a. a hnuaoo frorf =