The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-06-04
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
(not 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 q 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 q genuine son of the s'dark 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
Of this city: = s...s
He distinguished himself as a soldier in
the war Of 1912, and at its close became
a 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 heavisited5 New Orleans, where in
conjunction with Trespelatios, he organi-
zed an expedition, to capture Tampico.
When Iturbide procl aimed himself emper-
or, Milan joined the party opposed to
these pretentions. He was taken by the
imperial troops and thrown into prison,
where he languished for year, and was
finally released by an uprising among the
people. nj ge.rlg.t 74sgg :. ;tss.s5s.rsts .
Milan was IN the fight at, Nacogdoehes
in 1882. In 1885 he vas 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 unfolded Il These were
denounced in unmeasured terms by the
stern and incorruptible Milan: Il The re.
suit was Milan was again arrested and
thrown into prison at Monterey. He soor
won the confidence of the jailor, by whose
! cOnnivance, and the assistance of an out
side TREND, who furnished fleet horse
he made his escape and fed toward Tex
as. He reached Texas at, most oppor
tune moment. It; was lust after tn,
skirmish about the cannon at Gonzales
Capt. Collinsworth had raised compan,
for the capture of Goliad, Milan wa
stealthily making his way eastward, whe1
he fell in with Collinsworth's men. HI
at first supposed they were Mexican sol
diers, and prepared to sell his life as dear
ly as psssible, preferring death to anotlte
imprisonment. Listening closely, h
thought he heard his own languag
spoken, and to his inexpressible Joy 500
discovered that he was among friend.
Nothing could afford Milan more pleas
ure than to become one of the stormin
} party that captured Goliad.
! We have but meagre accounts of thi
/ distinguished patriot. He once remarke
to Judge Burnett that he had been in a
most every prison between the Rio Grand
and the City Of Mexico. He was no
!. in Texas, and Texas was struggling to +,
5 sist the unsurpation Of Santa Anna. A
! ter the capture Of Goliad, Milan went
!: the Texas army, then preparing for Il
6 capture Of San Antonio. The prospe,
0 was disheartening. The city was we
fortified, with a garrison Of veteran troo,
v largely more than the Texans could mu
4 tor. A council of war in the Texas cam
4 had decided that an attempt to take Il
4 place by storm would be too hazardo,