The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-03-29

early manhood with a view to health, he
sought the mild climate of our beautiful
and now far famed commonwealth. The
Mexican revolution had closed, the
Spanish yoke had been broken and
thrown off. Americans under Austin and
other daring and energetic adventures
had dotted the coast from the mouth of
the Trinity to the Bay of Matsgorda
until the number of settlers from the
United States reached 10000.
The president of thu young
Republic of Mexico began tn fear that
the liberty loving Americans might prove
a dangerous enemy to his schemes Tor
building up central consolidated repub-
lie upon the ruins of the states rights
constitution of 1924. He determined TO
fortify against any such contingency.
Under the dictation of their pres dent
Bustamente-the Mexican congress en-
acted series of laws which were intended
to drive out the Americans, or force them
to revolt, that he nigh march upon them
for their destruction. To this end Gus
tom houses were established all along the
Texas coast, where every species of fraud
and extortion might be practiced upon
them. Ga the southeastern shore of the
bay of Galveston military post had been
established, and was occupied by 120
MexIcans, under command of Mexican
officer, an American by birth. named
John Davis Bradburp. The mama of this
fort was Anahuac. In December, 1881, a
large meeting of American born citizens
met in the town of BrazoriP, and sent
delegation to visit the commander at
Anahuac, relative to a military order re-
Gently published, closing all the Texas
ports, except Galveston.
As result of this visitation and other
matters connected with it, num-
Der of Americans, among whom was
the illustrious Travis, were arrested
and thrown into close confinement.
They wgre treated with extraordinary
cruelty, and many threats were made that
they would be trsnsportt to the interior
of Mexico or immured in the dungeons
of San Juan.
The coloniss We're stirred i'll their
hearts. The fire burned, ana the kind
| ling flames of war were upon them. For
| fifty miles along that coast there was a
general indignation. One hundred and
fifty men gathered into company, chose
Colonel Frank johnson as their leader,
and marched for tue deliverance of the
captives. It was in this expedition
that this man, Iow dead before US
entered upon that career as a soldier
of the Texas revolution which was as full
of thrilling adventures and courageou'
and daring exploits as ever marked the
career of soldier of fortune or gallant
knight of the heroic age of chivalry
With no bugle or banner, but with band
| ] L. ,tn,J hn ont n
the brisk discharge of musketry brought
the naughty Bradburn TO terms, anC
Colonel Johnson dictated the conditions
of the release of the prisoners. FL re the
first gun of the Texas revolution was ticed
the first battle fought, the first victory
won, and Colonel Frank johnson became
the first great hero of long struggle
which ended in giving to you and me thu
homes we now possess and the liberty w
now enjoy.
Colonel johnson was at one time az
, pointed surveyor to large district, ant
: afterwards made Alcalde at San Felipe
He was adjutant, first to Austin and the
to Burleson. He commanded one Of tn
q storming pal ties that captured Sa
Antonio, and when the daring and interpi
Milan fell, johnson became first in com
mand, and with great courage and DARN
carried on the assault until the fort sui
rendered. This event was the crownln
+ glory of his eventual career.
. The Mexican army, under command Q
}, General Cos, had possession of Sa
h Antonio and its forts. The voluntee
) army of Texas, under General Bur!esol
q were eucamped in full view of the tow
s One bright clear morning in Decembt
!, the daring and intrepid Ben Mila'
J, stepped forth from the ranks and aske
y permits siou of his general to beat up fC
r. volunteers to storm the town. He criet
IS with loud voice, "Who will join old Be
., Milan in storming the Alamo" Thre
h hundred gallant men sprang to their fe'
\, and declared themselves ready for tt
fight. And then thai deadly conte
opened. Early in the action Milan fe
= and then for four dark and tefrib
te days, under CALLING fire fro
a small arms and cannon, Colon
ID johnson led these brave men, as the
ar with smooth bores, muskets and CROW
Id bars, and pixies and axes, fought the
m way hand to hand, from house to hous
r. until, reaching the public plaza, th'
IN forced the enemy to capitulate and su
W render the town. Had this battle bee
ut fous hit in the ancient times, or in ii
r middle ages, historians would ha'
as handed it down TO US on gllded page, al
to poets would have sung of its heroes wi
so pathetic rapture. May we not hope tn
d. some Texas Waverly will yet arise to Il
recital of this scene of glory, which h
no paralltl, in such delightful YER
or prose as shall clothe our hero
~ with the fascinating glory Of lvanhoe,
~ the daring and courage of Richard 4
Hearted.
+ had the honor and the pleasure of f
u ting one day before Colonel Johnson
TX he detailed many incidents of his eaI
IN life in Texas, and told of the heroes W
IN had gone before. He did not speak mu
of himself, but mostly of them. He II
ne pressed me as man pre-eminently NIT
n in every way for honorable revelation
Us He was bold, determined and energet
he was possessed of a strong mind, vlg'
ry GUS intellect, determined will, and irr
'iy proschable integrity. His unblemish
rs honor ard dignity OF charac'
m, gave weight to any cause ne mig
lei espouse. He was a man of wonderful
eV. formation. He could state events o
dates with remarkable precision.
TO knew personally every man and won
NIX of any note who figured in the revoluti'