The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1879-06-13
JOHN DUvALis ESCAPE.

lOILA, KANSAS
JOHN DUvAL's ESCAPE.
A Thrilling Incident Of the Texan Rsvo.
luton.
No event in the history of our country
was attended with more thrilling Incl
dents, or more striking instances Of per-
sohal heroism, than the Texas RevOlu-
ton of 1886. Yet very few of these have
been recorded, or at least recorded in q
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 defense Of
this proclamation. Against this little
band came the entire strength of the
Mexican army, in those palmy days of
Mexican glory when Santa Anna was at
the height of his power. After num-
Der of hard-fought actions, the handful
of volunte ers were hemmed in at VIC
toria. Their stock of powder and lead
was exhausted, and they were forced to
surrender as prisoners of war
This occurred in March, 1886. 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 ia 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 fstal morning,
John Duval, then bus youth in years,
was one OF the few who, almost by q
miracle, escaped.
Early Sunday morning." says Du-
val, "fOur or five Mexican off cers came
into the Mission yard where we were
confined, and babe US get ready to march
to Copano, saying that We we're there to
be liberated on parole and sent home.
We were formed in three divisions and
marched out separately. The division
into which l was drafted consisted of
about $50 men. We believed what had
been told us, and had not the slightest
suspicion Of danger.
GAS we filed out of the gates and past
the houses, noticed a number of Mexi.
can girls standing in groupes of four or
five, and looking at US in plying way.
We had often danced with them at the
ta,sdanqoS, and as we marched past, we
nodded to them and called them BY
name. thought it curious that they
should turn away their faces as they did.
Some of them seemed to be crying.
Pobrecitos" Poor fellows), and Id
os, pobrecito" (Good-by, poor fellow.
"But we were all in pretty good
spirits, and had not a thought OF the
doom awaiting US. When we had
marched about half q mile a halt was
ordered, and the column of Mexican in
fantry that was guarding US on our right,
countermarched and formed in line be-
hind the column on our left. Even then
l thought this movement was merely for
some change in the order of march; but
a moment after some one standing nesr
me cried out
"' Boys, they are going to shoot us!'
sat the same instant I heard the
clicking of their musket locks, and be-
fore we had time to stir we were fired
upon.
"Most of the men fell dead on the
spot. The man standing in front of
me was killed. When the ball struck
him, he leaped convulsively backward
with great force, knocking me to the
ground. I lay for moment stunned.
The smoke of the deadly volley drifted
into our faces, and partly hid us from
those who had fired. Before had time
to scramble up, the two lines of Mexi-
can soldiers had rushed over us in pur-
suit OF thoss Of our men who were unhurt
and who had fed.
"We |ere near the upper ford of the
San Antonio River. The stream was
on our right. I knew that nv only
safety lay in getting across it, but the |
Mexicans W re between me and the riv-
er. L ran after them, however, unob- |
served in the smoke and confusion, and
had got within so or 60. yards of the |
bank when one of them turned and saw |
me. His musket was empty, but he
drew back for thrust with his bayo-
net, when another man ran blindly be- |
tween US and received the thrust.
"While the Mexican was withdraw
ing his bayonet, 1 ran on and went
headlong through their now scattered |
line. Several of the soldiers shouted
and fired at me. Iheard the balls whiz
by, but none of them touched me.
Reaching the bank leaped into the
river, which at that point ran deep and
very swiftly, though not more than 60
yards wide. The current set towards
the opposite bank, and being q good
swimmer soon reached it.
Gas swan, could hear the Mexi-
cans loading their muskets on the bank
behind me, shouting and ramming down
their bullets. The bank for which wa
winning l found was eigh. or ten feet
high, and nearly perpendicular, and
when reached it, could not touch
oOt.om wnh my feet. The current
swept NE along down the bank, expos
ng me to the aim of the soldiers who
we're on the opposite shore The muir
ferrous wretches began to fire at me, and
10 doubt enjoy ed the Sport. The balls
truck all ab Ut me, pit, pat in the Wa
er, as l f1Oated and swan along the
Ugh bank for a hundred yards or more,
md it is q wonder that was not killed
r wounded
cat length came to q grapevine,
which hung trailing in the water from
. tree that leaned over the bank. This
caught, and drawing my self up. began
o climb it. l had nearly reached the.
op of the bank when soldier who had
ollowed down on the opposite side fired
us escopeta "a kind of musket) at me,
nd cut the vine off about six inches
yer my head!
Back l went into the river with q
plash. At that they raised a shout