The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-08-14

ny, BY commission from tho Governor. 81
Kentucky, which afforded him facilities for
raising troops for the service Of Texas He
organized q company Of ift7 men. REQUIRING
each volunteer 70 sign stringent articles IS
subordination before they could Is on
rolled. Some finched from the enervv ana
rigidity Of the requirements. while thnse
who signed the military compact discemed
IN it evidence which gave promise az : so
gacious and able commander. Amid the
SHOWS of winter he established q REGULAR
camp, and enforced discipline as strict as ii
in the face of the enemy.
On the last day Of December 1885 he
embarked on a steamer from Cincinnati;
His men were we'll armed, Handsomely ,;ri-
formed, and with full supply Of ammuni-
ton and provisions. On the day OF de-
parture, notwithstanding violent snow
storm, the United States troops ut Newport
Barracks turned out, and thousands of the
citizens, of all ages and both sexes, lined
the river banks to honor the occasion. and
manifested their sympathy in the heroic en-
terprise by enthusiastic and repeated cheers.
Amid tears and touching farewells, waving
flags and beating drums, the bow Of the
decorated steamer was turned toward the
setting sun and passed down the great river.
with company of brave volunteers, whose
subsequent trials and triumphs form a
splendid chapter in the proud history Of our
State.
ARRIVES IL TEXAS.
Sherman and his company debarked at
Natchitoches, Louisiana, and marched at
once to Nacogdoches, in Texas, and thence
to Washington on the BNzos. There be
found all confusion. The Governor and
Lieutenant Governor were at deadly feud;
the convention had not assembled; the
brave Travis and his heroic band, sur
rounded by an overwhelming force, called
for and from the beleaguered walls of the
Alamo. The people were enthusiastic and
determined, but without arms or organiza-
ton, and no one was present to instruct or
lead them. Sherman paraded his company,
and called upon the citizens to volunteer
and march on the following day to the re-
lief of the Alamo after which service he
declared his intention to return with his
company to the United States, If the indie
pendence of Texas was not speedily de
clared by the convention then about to as
semble.
On arriving at Gonzales, he found about
two hundred citizen Volunteers force to-
tally insufficient to justify an attempt to
break throughthe besieging Mexican forces,
some seven thousand strong. Fourteen
DAYS were consumed in concentrating men
and supplies, when Gen. Houston arrived
and assumed command. On the ensuing
day the first regiment of Texas volunteers
was organized, and Sherman nominated for
the colonelsy; this he declined in favor of
Gen. Burleson, an old citizen and tried war
rior. Sherman was elected lieutenant colo
n Al, oxvaY,suar of fba cose,o law
telligence was RECEIVED that the Alamo had
fallen, and its brave defenders been indis-
criminately slaughtered. How truly grand
and heroic that defense had been, is best
told in that immortal sentence inscribed on
the architrave of the monument constructed
of the stones stained by the blood of heroes,
which stands under the lofty portico of the
State Capitol, that
''THERMoPYLE HAD IT'S MESSENGER or DE-
FEAT, BUT THE ALAMO HAD NONE"
The army retreated to the Brazos, where
the second regiment was organized and
Sherman was elected to command it. On
the Colorado, being detached from the main
body of the army, he underworld to obtain
permission to attack Gen. Sesma, who was
camped on the opposite bank of the river,
on the spot where the town of Columbus
comrades from inglorious slaughter Sher-
man fell back with the retreating army,
which was determined to make last stand
at the first strategic point that should be
reached on the line of march.
SAN JACNTo.
During the retreat, Sherman displayed all
the soldierly qualities which, at such cri-
sis, were necessary to promote enthusiasm,
and preserve the army from Generalization.
He was equal to every emergency. On the
retreat from the Colorado, he was ordered
to put the army in marching order, and, by
direction of the commander-in-chief, per-
sonally superintended the dangerous cross
ing of the Brazos On the twentieth of
April, 1886, he led squadron of cavalry in
an attack upon a detachmcntof the enemy,
that occupied position between the hostile
camps.
On the battle Of the twenty-frst, he COM
manded the extreme left of the Texas line,
and was the first to strike the enemy, shout
ing, at the critical instant, the talismanic
battle cry of. Remember G0liad and the
Alamo, which was prolonged in fierce en-
thusiasm from left to right by the advanc-
ing line. 1t was a day of vengeance and
retribution. The victory was overwhelming
and complete, and in its contamination
Sherman acted a conspicuous and splendid
part. But when the perilous battle was
over, he turned from the triumph to stay
the tide of violence and slaughter, which,
however righteously it may have overtaken
the enemy, he mercifully endeavored to pre-
vent. Happily for humanity it not unfre-
quently occurs that he who leads the forlorn
hope with incompatible courage and energy,
carries the outworks and enters the breach,
Drawing the terrors Of explosion, turns from
the hazardous enterprise when the victory IS
complete, unfurls the banner Of mercy, and
extends generous and benefcent protec-
ton to the vanquished. Sherman possessed
boldness and valor in the crisis Of danger,
and made humane and vigorous efforts 70
restrain excuses in the hour Of triumph. II
he felt that violence was necessary in war,
mercy and moderation were not less wise
and essential in establishing mn enduring
peace.
SUBSEQUENT SERVICES.
After remaining several months with the
army in the West, and finding that the enc
my did not return, he rendered his resigna-
ton, which President Burnet refused to ac-
cept, but gave him commission rs colonel
in the regular service, with orders to enlist
his men in the United States When about
to leave his conpanions-in-arms, the seer
tary Of war presented him with the stilad of
colors which he had brought to the country,
accompanied with the following communi
cation:
REPUBLIc OF TExAe,
WAR DEPARTMENT, August 8, 1896.
This stand of colors, presented By the Ia
dies Of Newport, Kentucky, 10 Capt sidney
Sherman, is the same which triumphantly
waved on the memorable battle field of San
Jacinto; and is by the government presented
TO the lady Of Col Sidney Sherman, as
testimonial of his gallant conduct on that
occasion. a. SOsEHyILLE.
Approved; Secretary Of War
DAVID 6. BuESET, President
Colonel Sherman's health was much i'm.
paired by exposure and fatigue in the army,
and before Teaching Kentucky he was g.
riously III for many weeks. Notwithstand-
ing his condition, he succeeded in sending