Daily globe., 1879-06-01
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
0ot 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 a genuine son of the ssdark 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:
He distinguished himself as 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 he visited New Orleans, where in
conjunction with Trespelatios, he organi-
zed an expedition to capture Tampico.
When Iturbide proclaimed himselfemper-
or, Milan joined the party opposed to
these pretentions He was taken by the
imperial troops and thrown into prison,
where he languishcd for year, and was
finally released by an uprising among the
people.
Milan was IN the fight at Nacogdoehes
in 1882. In1855 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 unfoldcd These were
denounced in unmeasured terms by the
stern and incorruptible Milan. The re.
suit was Milan MAS again arrested and
thrown into prison at Monterey. He soon
won the confidence Of the .ailor, by whose
connivance, and the assistance Of an out
side friend, no furnished fleet horse
he made his escape and fled to ard Tex
as. He reached Texas at most oppor
tune moment. 1t was just after the
skirmish about the cannon at Gonzales
Capt. Collinsw orth had raised company
for the capture Of Goliad, Milan vas
stealthily making his way eastward, wher
he fell III with Collinsworth's men. H,
at first supposed they w0rc Mexican sol
diers, and prepared to sell his life as dear
ly as psssible, preferring death to anothe
imprisonment. Listening closely, hi
thought he heard his own Language
spoken, and to his inexpressible Joy soo1
discovered that he was among friends
Nothing could afford Milan more pleas
ure than to become one of the stormins
party that captured Goliad.
| We have but meagre accounts of thi
distinguished patriot. He once remarked
to Judge Burnett that he had been in al
most every prison between the Rio Grand
and the City of Mexico. He was nov
in Texas, and Texas was struggling to re
sist the unsurpation of Santa Anna AT
ter the capture of Goliad, Milan went t
the Texas army, then preparing for tn
capture of San Antonio The prospec
. was disheartening. The city was wei
i fortified, with a garrison Of veteran troop
: largely more than the Texans could mus
, ter. A council of war in the Texas cam
4 had decided that an attempt to take tn
place by storm would be too hazardou
At this juncture, when the army az
: peared undecided, and was in danger (
!. disbanding, through dissensions, by th
s advice of Burlson, Milan step out in fror
q of the headquarters and announced thu
/: Old Ben Milan was going into San Al
e tonic and wanted volunteers to 60 wit
0 him. With shout the men rallied
the standard of the brave old soldier.
Y the hour Of victory, when reconnoitrin
d with his glass for the final assault, he W,
pierced with a rifle ball, which Instant
killed him. He was temporarily burie
8 in the yard Of the Veramandi house