The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-03-10
THE TEXAN WAR.

lFrom the Louisville CourIer-Jogrnall
Among the extraordinary events Of history
none can surpass, in point Of thrilling inter-
est, those Of the Texas war for independence,
and especially that portion which relates to
the massacre OF Col. Fannin and his men at
Golaid. by order OF General Santa Anna.
Learning that one Of the survivors Of that
bloody butchery resided In Nelson county.
KY, repI esentative OF the Courier Journal,
securing horse and buggy, wended his way
along the pike, through Jefferson, Bullitt
and Nelson counties to Fairfield, the home OF
Judge Richard Constantine, gallant veter-
an of the Mexican war, who kindly consent
ed to guide and introduce to the objec. OF
his search.
After pleasant drive Of four miles over a
smooth, macadamized road that would put
to shame the best streets OF Louisville, upon
the outskirts Of the rapidly growing village
of Bloomfield, be halted in front of a COM
Portable, home like residence, shaded bv En-
Rlish elms, and was fortunate in finding the
hero OF this sketch, Col. James Wood, at
home
In answer to the interrogation of the re-
porter, the Colonel said: 1 enlisted at Tus-
calooss, Ala, and went thence to New Or
leans, and took passage across the Gulf on a
sailing vessel, and landed at Copano, Texas,
March II, 1886. Our company consisted of
about seventy men, under the command of
Captain William p. Miller. A portion of
US had disembarked and rendezvoused in the
chapparal bordering upon the bay, when a
large detachment of Mexicans under Gener-
al Urire swept down upon u.s. and we fell
an easy prey 10 overwhelming numbers. A
detachment was sent to capture the vessel,
and succeeded without difficulty, and we
were all placed under strong guard and
marched to Fort GOliad without anything To
eat on the march except raw beef We were
captured on the 2oth and arrived at Goliad
on the oath. Here we met Colonel Fanuin's
command, which bad been captured about
the same time. On the first day we were al
lowed TO mingle freely with Fannin's men.
but that night we were separated from them,
and were told that they were to be shot and
that we might share the same fate, but it
was as yet undecided. l had conyersed
freely with Col. Fsnuin's officers and men.
and learned from them many incidents con-
nected with their retreat, fight, capture and
treatment which have never seen in print.
January, 1896, Col. FanDin arrived at the
Mission Refugio Oh Mission river, where a
small detachment of men under Col Grant
awaited him. Col. Fannin assumed com.
msnd of the joint forces, and being advised
Of the advance OF large Mexican army, he
retreated to Fort Gnliad. The Mexicans.
flushed with repeated victories, having over
come the immortal heroes, Crockett, Milan,
ROVrio NJ NJ
rapidly upon him, 10 Overwhelming numbers.
aud on the morning of the 18th March their
cavalry appeared IN sight and had . sxirmish
with Col. Horton, of the Texas cavalry, and
compelled him to retire into fort. On the
morning of 18th Col. Fannan, having deter
mined to fall back toward Gen. Houston's
army, succeeded in crossing the San Antonio
river, and had advanced about eight miles
toward the Coleto river, when his cavalry
scouts gave notice Of the immediate presence
OF the enemy, estimating their forces at 2. 600
men, the Texas forces numbering 400 men.
Col. Fannin made everyeffort to reach knoll
In .he prairie covered by oak timber, about
two miles directly in front of him, but found
froIn the unevenneSS of the ground and the
slow movements Of the oxen drs win. the ar
order to reach the timber He decided To
give battle in the open prairie, and accord.
| ingly formed his men into a hollow square.
placing the baggage and ammunition train
In the centre. By this time the brave band
were surrounded and the Mexicans immedi-
ately opened fire, and rushed forward i'm.
petuouSly, with their cavalry on the south
and their infantry on the three other sides.
as II determined upon annihiating the de-
voted little band at one onset. A terrible
nre, delivered at short range by the Texans,
turned them back, with heavy loss. The
Mexicans again and again charged the posi-
tiOn, and each time were driven back, until
night closed upon the Unequal conflict
Three hundred MexicaDs lay dead upon the
battle field, with about three hundred and
ntty wounded. The Texans lost six killed
and fifty wounded. During the night Col.
| Faunin strengthened his position by slight
entrenchments in preparation for the NOR
rows conflict. At daylight on the morning
OF the 2oth the roar of artillery announced
the fact that the Mexicans had received
heavy reinforcements during the night.
/ bringing with them fifteen pieces Of cannon.
! The Texan cannon had been silenced by the
absence of water to swa5 the guns, and the
ammunition was about exhausted Al this
Critical moment the Mexicans raised fiaR of
truce and parley was held. Col. Fannin,
despsirinR Of cutting his way out, agreed to
surrender to Gen. Urea on condition that
bis men be allowed te keep their side arms
and be psroled or exchanged. Several OF
the Mexican ofhc-rs who ~ers present ver,