The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
"REMINISCENCES
OF THE
GUADALUPE AND
SAN ANTONIO FRONTIER
IN iS4z.
ssssssessssssssssssssss
For The Houston Post.
CHAPTER V.


CHAPTER V.
In continuing 10 mention incidents oc-
curing in Western Texas in cur old war
with Mexico. 1t will be seen that our dihi-
culties did not end with the Battle OF San
Jacinto, but continued to call forth many
mere efforts from Texas ere our indepen-
denco was consummated
Passing over notes Of surveying excur-
sions on the San Marcus with Ben and
Henry f. McCulloch, then quite young
men; also few scouts with them after
Indians. the loss OF horses at Gonzales Il
few nights before the Indian fight at Plum
creek in August. 1910, and the enlisting OF
many of our frontier men in the Santa Fe
expedition in 1871. will write of some OF
the incidents of 1872.
After the capture u tho Santa re eX-
petition much apprehe nsion prevailed In
Western Texas. Many OF our citizens were
prisoners in Mexico; the Indians were much
more daring and troublesome. added TO
which Iumors OF grelt preparations for an-
other invasion Of Texas by our enemy were
rife through the land. especially at san
Antonio. hindering emigration and parai-
wing farming operations In great u'-
gree. However. corn was planted TO a con-
siderable extent throughout the settlements
on the Guadalupe by the close q February.
about which time a sudden call came ior
men 10 move quickly TO the defense oil san
| Antonio. which WAS threatened by the ad-
! vance II Mexican force of from 800 TO
| 200 soldiers under Generil Vasauez,
| AT Gonzales some effort was made TO c.
| tablsh nucleus for defs nse committee
| OF safety was appointed ard the young
men aud those without families went 10
I - N "a l.
vance had been preceded By such show
| Of Intended general invasion Of Texas. that
upon the arrival OF the enemy on the 9TH
| of March, 1872, he Invested San Antonio
| without much fighting, as no adequate plan
| for it's defense had been deemed feasible.
| There were only about 100 Texans trying
| TO defend the town. They, Of course. had
TO fall back or be cut of by the enemy.
/ There was but little time TO remoys y1iu-
ab,es. John Twohig blew up his sto;e Ben
McCulloch with his Gonzales men, win
Captain D. d. Frier and the few men from
the Cuero settlement brought OF their
small piece OF earasn. passing out at the
northeast corner OF the place as the enemy
entered on the opposite eide.
The few American families in Bc1ar
escaped with barely such necessary houss-
hold stores as could hastily be transported
In the emergency Some secured OK carts
end moved comparatively comfortably. al
though they krcw not how far they might
have to travel.
Couriers soon conveyed the news east
ward that San Antonio was In possession
of the Mexican army OF Invasion and
throughout the West every one expected
war. The committee OF safety having ad'
vised and authorized pressing into public
service any horses suitable for cavalry,
appeal in this connection an incident char
J acteristic OF the times and psopie,
4 Old S mson Bateman was among the ea'l,
lest colonists. living on very expceec
farm four miles west OF the other settle
menis He had always done good service
for Texas In the old army OF 1886 be. viii