River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-06-05
THE HERO OF SAN ANTONIO.
His Heroism and Wonderful Achievements.

From the San Antonio Herald. April "a.
The creditable celebration of San Ja-
cinto day, at different places in our state
mot including the Alamo city, we confess
with regret, have naturally caused the
minds Of thinking men to revert to more
than one thrilling event of the war for
Texan independence, and to contemplate
with more profound admiration than
ever, the sublime characters OF the
heroes. As those events and patriots
pass before the minds eye, none stand
out with more prominence than Benja-
min r. Milan, the hero of San Antonio.
and i genuine son of the clark and bloody
ground" The following interesting
sketch of his life, from Thrall's recent
history of Texas, should at this time be
read with peculiar interest by the people
Ut this city:
He distinguished himsefas a soldier in
the war of 1912, and at its close became
trader and aventurer among the Indian
tribes on the head waters of the Texas
rivers. We next hear of him at Calves
ton, in 1916 then on his way to Mexico
TO enlist in the ranks Of the Republicans,
who were trying to disengage themselves
from the Spanish yoke After having
rendered valuable services in Mexico, in
1919 he visited New Orleans, where IN
conjunction with Trespelatios, he ofgani-
zed an expedition to capture Tampico.
When Iturbide proclaimed imselfempcr-
or, Milan joined the party opposed to
these pretentions He vas TAX en- by the
imperial troops and thrown int prison,
where he languishcd for year, and vas
finally released by an uprising among the
people.
Milan was IN the fight at Nacogdoehes
in 1882 In 1885 he was at Saltillo, and
procured from the legislature the exclu-
sive right to navigate the Colorado river
While there. the despotic plans Of Santa
Anna began to be unfo,ded. These were
denounced in unmeasured terms by the
stern and incorruptiblc Milan. The re
suit was Milan was again arrested and
thrown into prison at Monterey. He soon
won the confidence of the iailor, by whose
connivance, and the assistance of an out
side friend, who furnished fleet horse.
he made his escape and fled toward Tex
as. He reached Texas at most oppor-
| tune moment. 1t was just after the
| skirmish about the cannon at Gonzales.
Capt. CollinsWorth had raised a company
for the capture of Goliad, Milan " as
stealthiIy making his way eastward, when
| he fell IN with Collinsworth's men. He
at first supposed they were Mexican sol
diers, and prepared to sell his life as dear
ly as psssible, preferring death to another
| Imprisonment Listening closely, he
thought he heard his own language
! spoken. and to his inexpressible Joy soon
| discovered that he was among friends
Nothing could afford Milan more pleas
ure than TO become one Of the stormiDg
party that captured Goliad.
We have but meagre accounts Of this
distinguished patriot. He once remarked
| to Judge Burnett that he had been IN al
most every prison between the Rio Grande
and the Civ of Mexico He was now
In Texas, and Texas was struggling 10 re-
sist the unsurpation of Santa Anna. At
/ ter the capture of Goiiad, Milan went to
the Texas army, then preparing for thu
capture of San Antonio. The prospect
/ was dishearteuing The city was wei
/ fortified, with garrison OF veteran troop'
II largely more than the Texans could mus
ter. A council of war in the Texas CAM
had decided that an attempt to take th'
place by storm would be too hazardous
At this iunctuFe. when the army ap
peared undecided, and was in danger o
lisbanding, through dissensions, by tn
advice Of Burlson, Milan step out in from
of the headquarters aud announced tina
Old Ben Milan was going into San An
tonic and wanted volunteers to 60 wit
him. With a shout the men rallied I
the standard of the brave old soldier. Il
the hour 1T victory. when recommending
with his glass for the final assault, he wa
4 pierced with a rife ball. which Instant
killed him. He WAS temporarily burlei
in the yard of the Yeranan. Il house.
| The St. Petersburg police have bee