The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-03-11

The opening of the new railroad, 263 miles
in length, from Galveston to San Antonio has
afforded an opportunity to the papers of the
latter city to expatiate on it's beauties and the
thrilling interest of it's history. It sppears
that San Antonio is the second oldest city in
the Union (snn Augustine, Fla, being the
oldest), having been founded in 1862. In 1880
the foundations of Purisma Conception were
laid also, about the same time, La Espada,
San Juan and San Jose were built These
missions are of stone, and in q good state OF
preservation. They are at intervals of three
OF four miles along the San Antonio river. In
1852, when Texas and Louisiana passed from
the possession of France to Spain the popula-
tion of San Antonio was 1000. After the transfer
Texas was connected with Mexico, and coon
began to exhibit the restlessness which finally
caused the erection of the Republic of Texas.
Previous to tho revolution Americans were
authorities. Such restrictive orders only in
spired the hardy adventurers with more deter
mination. Nolan and party of eighteen en-
tered the territory, and were all killed, one
way or another, except one.
In 1913 the republicans commenced their
struggle. and many fights took place in the
commenced against Spain, spread through
lishmeut Of the Republic,
But the Texans soon found that they had
exchanged Spanish tyrant for Mexican Re-
publican tyranny. In 1924 Austin's army cap
tured San Antonio after q hard fight, and in
1886 Santa Anna with several thousand Me1i-
CANS attacked the place. Its defenders num-
bered 144 men, under command of Col Travis,
all being within the walls of the Alamo. On
Sunday morning, March 9Th, the Mexicans be-
gan the assault. To describe this conflict
would be to give history of each individual
composing the Texan force. Ali were heroes
and all sold their lives at o fearful cost to the
enemy. The dead body of Crockett was found
apart from his comrades, but surrounded by
dead enemies. Bowie, though on the verge of
death from sickness, only gave up the remnant
of his life in exchange for the lives of two or
three Mexicans. Not one soldier lived to tell
the stOry.
ThernOpyjm had its messenger of defeat, the Alamo
The extinction of this brave band was fol-
lowed by ether disasters. Col. Fannin and his |
(400 men) and Captain Ward (with |
DO men) were captured and brutally murdered |
III COlu AuSb0 5uCCeboc8 were IOllOWeO
BY active efforts on the part of the Mexicans |
to entirely annihilste the Americans. Hors-
ton, who commanded the Americans, was
driven over the State to Lynchburg, just
across the bay from Galveston. There the
American army was hemmed in completely.
Santa Anna came on, confident of his ability
20 overcome by superior numbers. He had
lriven an army of lions to bay. The conflict
vas terrible, and resulted in the defeat of the
dexicans and the subsequent capture of the
Lrmy with Santa Anna himself
Tho destruction of the Mexican army was o
Mortal blow to Mexican domination in Texas.
'snta Anna made q treaty with the provisional
government of Texas, by which ali prisoners
Vere to be released and the Mexican forces
we're to evacuate the country. The recognition
# the independence of Texas followed.
Concluding its sketch, the San Antonio
Heyald says:
During the last twelve months there has
,een a Tapid increase in our population, which
low amounts 20 about 20,OO0, WhiIo the sRRre-
ate wealth will probably not fall short of
10, 600, 900. A city on the American continent
which has stood for nearly two centuries, and
urvived the shock of q dozen wars and pOliti-
al revolutions, may be safely regarded as Q
xture.