San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-03-22
Written for the FsEE paxss,
"reminiscences Of Texas veteran-.'The
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
By Q. ERHARp.
tCopyrighted. i
XVI.

After our men were united ana marcneu
on, speculation was rife what our destiny
would be. It was the opinion of the elder
ones that we would be uut to work in the
mines.
Now the Texan has natural aversion to
90 under ground, unless death overtakes
him, and he has to 60 there. The Texas
volunteer also rather fights than work.
Here it will be appropriate to quote the
memorable words of Gen. Ed. Burleson be-
fore the bsttle of San Jacinto. Gen. Hous-
ton ordered him to get. his mento build
temporary b:idge over branch of the Buf-
falo Bayou, for he thought that the large
force of Mexicans to whom the lily equipped
and inferior number of Texans were opposed
might compel retreat.
Gen. Burleson communicated the order to
his men. but had to return to Houston, re-
,rting that .'his men would rather fight
than build bridges"
Now to put the Texans to work would
have been a job; at least the Texans would
not have hurt or overexerted themselves, in
spite of guards or vigilance. 81
was told by some of our men, who were
chained and had to work on public streets
or works in Mexico. that they wonld pre-
tend to get scared and run away with a
wheelbarrow full of stones, and arrive with
only half load; others who had to wheel
sand in sacks, contrived to get holes in the
sacks SO they would Leak
At night they would contrive TO get clear
of their shackles, filing off the rivets, and
while one of the party would whistle the
tune of dance, another would pat. @Now
the northern man can not understand what
patting is; to him have to explain, that
the former slaves often had no musical in
strument to accompany dance, therefore
they would sing or whistle and with hands
slapping together, or on head or breast keep
nm time. The first time ] saw this per-
formance by negro, was really amused
at his grotesque fgute; his whole body was
in motion, with his big feet he beat time
on the floor, hands and body in motion, IN
fact it is utterly impossible for me to de-
scribe to any one, unless he has been in the
southern states.)
hope shall be exuused for this dlgres-
sion; the future is so sad, therefore had
rather add some things between, that may
be numerous and yet true.
To President Santa Anna the blacksraiths
bills for repairing the fetters of the Texans
seemed to be too frequent, and he called
blacksmith to accounts the blacksmith re-
plied: s'Yonr Excellency is aware that the
grand round of soldiers ct night examines
the prisoners to assure themselves OF then
safe confinement and they report all right,
but how some seem to be loose next morn
ing I can not explain, truly / am often call
ed on by the officers of the guard to repau
that these Texas heretics are in league will
the devil"
Now 1 was told that our men by some
means would file of the rivets, then dance
having one on guard to inform them vher
the tramp of soldiers would approach theil
prison, then oil quickly .ensconsed them
selves In their blankets, lay down on thu
floor mo cots being furnisheD and even b.
examination of the guard by aid Of lamp
all seemed asleep and nothing wrong.
We did not get very early start, bu
had 10 travel 30 miles, therefore it was dari
when we reached a little village called Cues
ia, place lear which ths Missouri per
chants passed with their annual trains
We bad not morsel Of food that day. ou
arriving at that village. loaf Of light Srea'
: was banded to each Of rs.
Having had DO real good Light CbAksrs