Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-06-25
Early in 1886 he projected an expedi-


ton to the Rio Grande for the purpose
OF re-establishing, at least temporarily,
the constitution Of 1924. In this he as
ISOLATED with himself Col. F. w. John
son, the pioneer hero and patriot. whom
he sent by the way of San Felipe.
where he was successful in obtaining
the authority of the executive council
for their scheme, while Grant went di-
rectly to Refugio. They arrived early
in February with about seventy men in
San Patricio, where Johnson establish
ed his headquarters, while Grant, with
Maj. Morris and about forty men, went
west to collect supply of horses.
On the 2Sth of February San Patricio
was surprised and captured by Gen.
Urea, who proceeded with such caution
that the Texans were kept in profound
ignorance of the movement. The Mex
lean citizens had notice of the approach
of the troops, and were instructed to
keep their houses Illuminated, so that
their friends would know and respect
them. by a fortunate accident Col.
johnson was writing until late hour,
and before the light was extinguished
received through a Mexican servant the
news that the town was in the posses
sion of Urea. and was able with four
companions-Toler, Miller, Tone and
Beck-to make his escape.
In the meantime Col. Grant with his
company was encamped on the Aqua
Dulce creek, twenty-siX miles to the
southwest, on their way back to San
Patricio with the horses they had Sc
cured. Urea learned of their where
abouts and sent out large body of
Mexican dragons for their capture. A
short but decisive fight ensued, when
most of the Americans were killed
without quarter, Maj. Morris killed,
Grant slightly wounded, and Brown
taken prisoner by means of a lasso that
was thrown over him, and by which he
was dragged to the ground.
Grant, known to be surgeon, was
promised a passport to leave the coun-
try if he would attend to the wounded
Mexicans This he did with such fidel.
ity that all, without exception, recov-
cred; but in the meantime the captain
left in command of the town after the
departure of Urea secretly dispatched
eight men in search of wild horse.
which they succeeded in capturing after
about three weeks.
The unfortunate settler was then
brought forth, and. by the order of the
brutal captain, his feet were bound
to those of the horse, and his hands to
the tail. He struggled frantically, and
after reminding the officer of
his solemn promise, to which no atten-
ton was paid, he appealed to the men,
recalling to them his ministrations and
devotion, but the only reply was insult
ing imprecations and shouts of hideous
merriment>
AS the men stood ready to sever the
cords that held the mustang the captain
brought lash down upon the animals
fianl1s exclaiming: ''This is your pass
port; now 60"
The fiery, untamed horse sprang
away with great violence, and was soon
lost to sight. The next day the man
gled remains of poor Grant were dis
covered some distance from the town,
but were left un buried.
Gen. Urea, in his account of the
capture of San Patricio declares that
Grant was killed in the action of March
2, and the statement was confirmed by
Col. Reuben Brown. who saw him fall,
wounded on that occasion. and believed
him dead, but the story of his fearful;
ride to death was told by his Mexican
servant, who had been left in San
Patricio, and who was of course per.
fectly familiar with his person. This
servant, a boy about eighteen years
old, afterward made his way to Gen.
Houston, and with every evidence of
real grief related the barbarous fate OF
his master. He declared that he made
several attempts to secure the remains
and bury them, but was warned by the
Mexicans not to interfere on peril OF
his life-St. Louis Republic.