Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-02-28
''GEN. QUESADA."
some Interesting "Reminiscences
Something OF His wife and Her

some Interesting "Reminiscences
Something Of His Wife and Her
Family.
To the Union and american:
In your paper of the 26th inst you copy
a statement made by J. B. LacOste TO the
SEA dRtoniO (Terds) Herald, in which it is
alleged that Gen. Qgessda, the Cuban adj
venturer, had been guilty Of brutal con-
duct towards his wife and her family. L
do not know anything Of the facts and ale
cations, and do not write TO take any part
5n their discussion. My object is rather
10 recall some "reminiscences of the family
into which this Qaesada has entered. l
may say, however, that / know Mr.. La
coste, and should give full faith to any
statement he might feel called upon TO
make in relation TO this, or any other mat
ter; and that l have no reason 20 doubt
that everything he has stated on the sub
jeci, is true.
Antonio Manchaca, the grandfather Of
The lady whom Quesadl married, was de-
scended from the families who first settled
San Antonio between the years 100 and
1715. Though a Mexican, his complexion
was as fair as the average European. He
was man Of large person and command
ing carriage. In the Texas revolution he
was devoted to the cause Of Texan indie
peHdence, and commanded a company OF
his countrymen in the decisive battle OF
San JacintO. He discovered and captured
Santa Anna, day or two after the battle,
and brought him to Gen. HO1stOn's head
quarters. which remained for some two
weeks on the plain where the battle was
Fought Santa Anna had thrown of his
uniform and wore a brown linen fatigue
,,,I l,av-y 4
had not shaved since the battle, nor made
his toilet. and at the time of his capture
appeared more as a common native than as
the leader Of al army. The original fam
lilies of San Antonio were divided in rela-
tion to Texan independence, and the bril-
liant success of San Jacinto, and the con-
spicuous gallantry OF Manchaca on the oc-
casion, coupled with the capture of Santa
Anna. and the recognition OF the lnGe-
pendence Of Texas by him, justly placed
him in the first rank Of his cOuntryuaen IL
the estimation of the Texan people. He
married into an old family Of high respect
ability.
He was blessed with three daughters, the
oldest of whom at the close of the MeXic
war, was Just grown and was the most
brilliant and accomplished beauty Of the
city. She was married to a dashing Texan
Ranger, who had been with Jack Hays and
Ben. Mccullough during the war-and sub
sequently, in 1919, met q violent death, on
his way to California from Texas. Ills
II me was John GlautOn, a character
which Jere Clemens worked up in his
romance of Mustang Gray" At his death
Mrs. Glanton had an infant daughter, JOa-
uuina-who. il seems, has become now the
victim of this Quesada's cruelty. She Wa:
one of the most beautiful and engaging Of
children, aud doubtless at maturity equaled
the charms of her mother. After the death
Of her father. her mother either lost OF
suppressed much of her natural gaiety O
manner, and though still beautiful, bril-
liant an attractive, Stunned the Sayei
forms of society: but whenever she appeare'
in public she was always pleasant, stately
and elegant She dressed in eXcellen
taste, and always had her cherished child
Joaquina, with her-at church, in the even
ing promenade, or in the social visit.
think never saw a more charming person
nor a more beautiful child. According Z
the statement of Mr.. LacOste, the mothe
suddenly died in New Orleans under cir
Gums ances inducing suspicion Of foul play
and the child is divorced without he
knowledge and returns to the charity G
her friends.
Mr.. Lacoste, a Frenchman, Of good PEI
son and elegant manners, married the SCI
ond daurhter of Capt. Manchaca, and whe
knew the family 20 years ago, the thir
daughter, AntOnitta, was a reigning bell
in the city of San Antonio. j..