The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-06-24
selerf Story.
JOHN DUVAL'S ESCAPE.

JUAN DUvMn y ENVkA{ e.
NJ event in the history Of our coun-
lry was attended with more thrilling in
cideDts, or more striking instances of
personal heroism. than the Texan Revo-
luton of 1886 Yet very few of these
have been recorded, or at least recorded
in manner to be much read.
Texas, while province OF Mexico,
had been mainly settled by Immigrants
from the United States. Outraged by
bad government, the people rose and
proclaimed Texas free republic Be
tween FIVE and six hundred volunteers,
under Col. Fannin, rallied in defence OF
this proclamation.
+ Against thisfnffe band came the en-
tire strength of the Mexican army, in
those palmy days cf Mexican glory
when Santa Anna was at the height Of
his power. After number of hard
fought actions, the handful OF volunteers
were hemmed in at Victoria. Their
stock of powder and lead was exhaust
cd, and they were forced to surrender as
prisoners Of war.
This occurred in March, 1885 The
volunteers were taken to Mission Goliad,
on the San Antonio River, and on the
9th of the month. expecting to be re-
leased on parole, they were marched out
of the Mission, and without moments
warning, shot in cold blood, by Santa
Annals Own order it is said.
OF the four hundred and eighty or
ninety young men who filed out of the
Mission gates on that fatal morning,
John Duval, then but youth in Years,
was one Of the few who, almost by Q
miracle, escaped.
"Early Sunday morning" says Duval,
"four or live Mexican officers came ioto
the Mission yard where We were confil--
ed, and bade us get ready to march to
Copano, saying that we were there to be
liberated on parole and sent home.
"We were formed in three divisions,
and marched out separately The divis-
ion into which was drafted consisted
of about one hundred and fifty men,
We believed what had been told us, and
had not the slightest suspicion of dan.
ger.
''As we fed out of the gates and past
the houses, / noticed number Of Mex
lean girls standing in groups of four or
five, and looking at US in plying way
We had often danced with them at the
fandangos and as we marched past, we
nodded to them and called them by
name
II thought it curious that they should
turn away their faces as they did. Snme
of them seemed to be crying. From
two or three l heard the low words,
'Pobrecitosi (Poor fellows), and 'Adios
lpobrecitor (Good-hy, poor fellow
But we we're all in pretty good spir.
lis, and had not thought Of the doom
awaiting US. When we had marched
about half mile halt was ordered.
and the column of Mexican Infantry that
was guarding US on our right, counter.
marched and formed in line behind the
column on our left.
Even then thought this movement
was merely for some change in the ordel
of march; but moment after some ont
standing near me cried OUT
"Boys, they are going to shoot u.s.!
CAT the same instant | heard the click
ing of their musket-locks. and before
we had time to stir we were fred upon
"Most of the men fell dead on the
spot The man standing in front of 10,
was killed When the ball struck him
he leaped convulsively backward with
great force, knocking me to the ground
81 lay for a moment stunned. Tb,
smoke Of the deadly volley drifted int
our faces, and partly hid US from thos'
who had fred
"Before had time to scramble up
the two lines of Mexican soldiers bat
rushed over US in pursuit Of those o
our men who were unhurt and who had
fed.
"We were near the upper ford of tn,
San Antonio River. The stream wal
on our right l knew that my only safe
ty lay in getting across it, but the Mex
leans were between me and the river.
81 ran after them, however, unobserv
ed in the smoke and confusion, and ha(
got within fifty or six y yards of th
bank when one Of them turned and saw
me HIS musket was empty, but b
drew back for thrust with his bayonel
) when another man ran blindly betwee
US and received the thrust.
awhile the Mexican was withdrawing
his bayonet, ran on and went headlon
through their now scattered line. Sew
eral of the soldiers shouted and fred q
me- I heard the balls whzz by, bu
none of them touched me. Reachin
the bank leaped into the river, whic
at that point ran deep and very swiftly
though not more than sixty yards wide
The current set towards the opposit
bank, and being good swimmer | 500
. reached IT,
GAS swan. could hear the Mex
cans loading their muskets on the ban
! behind me, shouting and ramming dow
their bullets The bank for which wa
/; swimming l found was eight or ten fet
] high, and nearly perpendicular, and whe
| reached it, ! could not touch bottol
with my feet.
"The current swept me along dow
the hank, exposing me to the aim of ii
soldiers who were on the opposite shor
The murderous wretches began to FIRE
t me, and no doubt enjoyed the sport :
Z The balls struck all abont me, pit, pa
n in the water, as aoated and swan a!on
} the high bank for hundred yards {
II more, and it is wonder that l was n,
$ killed or wounded.
, "At length came to a grapevin
which hung trailing in the water from
tree tha: leaned over the hank. This
caught. and drawing myself up began
climb it. | had nearly reached the to
of the bank when soldier who had fo
1t lowed down on the opposite side fire
e his escopeta a kind of muske') at m
II and cut the vine of about six inch
l. over my head!
IT "Back into the river ! went with
o splash.
o "At that they raised shout. Th,
Is thought they had hit me, hut / was u
D. hurt. / had sense, however, to aoat,a
q let them think me dead or mortal
wounded. The carrent took me dov
eighty or hundred yards further, VIII,
(. coming To A shelving bank | scramble