The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-13
THE FIRST TEXAS REVOLT.
.,onr OF LIEUT. MAaEE's BoLD EN-
TERPRISE IN 1878.

.,,.up, to Threw on the spnnish Hske
s1..t was Planned By . YonnE O1cer or
nc United states Army-spiepatd Victories
M, against Great Odds-rho Tragic Finish.
Srv ORLEANS, Feb. LOAN interesting but
.n,om,liAr page in American history IL that
hitch ~conteins tho story OF tho FIRST strugRle
Co.. Tcyon independence. 1t was known az tho
G.chupin ynr. was fought In 1928, and was
n,,n,cd nv a lieutenant In the United States
Army, who had been only three years out Of tho
military Academy at West Point. 1t involved
all the territory lying between the Sabine and
tho Rio Grandc. and was marked by Encounters
"a dssperatc as the siege Of the Alamo and the
battle OF san Jacinto.
Al this period Mexico. OF which Texas was .
,,royince, was in the throos Of desperate
ihnt unsuccessful revolt. Tho time seemed
nyonjtious for an attempt on the part
NJ tho American. born residents OF Texas
N throw oil tho Spanish yoke, and, as
rsu,l. the cNigeucy brought forth q leader.
Augustus W. Magee, a native of Massachusetts,
was graduated from West Point on Jan. %.
1909, and, receiving an appointment as Second
lieutenant in q regiment Of artillery, was as
signed to duty at Natchitoches. on the Red
River. near the line of the neutral territory be-
tween tho American and tho Spanish posses
s,crs agreed upon by Gems. Wilkinson and Her
Scra, Under orders from Major Wolstoncraft,
thc American commandant at Natchitochee,
Lieut.. MAGGIE was from time TO time employed
eyniust tho desperadocs who infested this neu-
tral ground. In this service young Magee had
opportunity not only to observe tho splendid
lighting quality of the outlaws. but also to In
fo,m himself Of the geography and resources of
Texas, the distracted condition of Mexico and
Spain, and tho discomfort alike Of Americans
and Nexicans within the province.
Inst Mt this time Colonel Bernado Gutierras
,opesred at Natchitochos. Bernado had been n
lieutenant of tho unfortunate Hidalgo. and upon
nh ial! and execution Of that chief had made
his escape with difficulty. Recognizing a kin
dred spirit in Magee, ne soon formed an init
macy with him, and many long conferences fol-
lowed. Magcc, chivalrous and ambitious, con-
ccivod the idea Of conuuering tho Spanish
territory 10 the Rio Grande and carving out Of
It's ample domains an independent republic.
Carrying out his plans with skill and secrecy.
be cluded the watch of his commanding officer
and the Federal authorities. To insure success
it was necessary to gain the cooperation Of the
Mexican population In Texas. With this in
view, Bernado. who was popular with his coun-
trymen, was named Commander-in-Chief The
lighting force upon which the American lieu
tenant depended was to consist OF the out
laws Of the neutral ground. These Magee had
the ADDRESS to secure. John Mcfarland and
Samuel Davenport, both Indian agents. engaged
to bring their wards to his standard, and a
TRACER named Davenport. having wealth and
influence. contracted to furnish supplies.
All arrangements being completed. O procla-
NATION was published In the name OF Don Ber-
nado Gutierras calling for volunteers for the
Republican Army of the North" This proc
lamation offered to each volunteer $40 q month
" "a
boundaries of the new republic at its close.
1t Is curious to observe that this was the origin
Of the league head right" afterward granted in
Texas. Magee then secretly instructed the lead
ers Of the freobooters to repair in June. 1912. to
the rendezvous fixed at the Saline, on the east
side Of the Sabine River, and visited New Or
leans, obtained q few supplies. and engaged some
young men Of respectable character to join him.
TN June Ia Bernado repaired to the rendezvous.
Here he found 1853 mon assembled. They all
came from the neutral ground, and better ma
terial for q desperate undertaking was never
gathered into one command. According to
agreement, Magee. yet q Lieutenant in the
United States Army. remained In Natchitoches
to forward recruits and supplies. while the
force under Bernado was to cross the Sabine at
Gaines Ferry, drive tho enemy before 1t, and
halt at the Spanish bluff on tho Trinity for
orders.
Crossing the Sabine at tho appointed place,
the Americans attacked the S~paniards at Salitre
prairie and, after an hours fight, drove them
away, losing but two killed and three wounded
the nrst American blood split for Texan indie
pendence The Spaniards reiterated and forth
nea ire hill overlooking the town of Nacog-
aoenes. on tho east. Hard pushed by the
americans, the Spanish breastwork was hastily
constructed, being composed in part Of bales Of
wool Intended for the Louisiana market. These
Works the Americans charged at sight, and the
.Spahlards fled without firing a shot. never halt
ihs IN their retreat until they reached the Span
hh Bun. The victorious Americans sent the
captured wool to Natchidoches to purchase sup
pnes, and followed. their numbers being con-
Snuaily increased by reinforcements forwarded
G ~ Msgess; The fort at the Spanish Bluff.
i iSa oy 400 spaniards, was evacuated on
ING approach of the Americana. who found there
Large and seasonable supply of provisions and
ammunition; Here they awaited the arrival of
'he real mead OF the expedition.
On June q Magee resigned his commission
ANY sr set OUT Tor The Headquarters OF tho invading
army y leaving, Capt. James Gaines at tho cross.
ingoi the Sabine TO forward recruits and pre-
serve communication with his rear. Realizing
s n necessity Tor a considerable increase OF force
heH more thorough organization and discipline
Seiote crossing. the Trinity and venturing
Mturther into the interior. Magee remained with
ddi liz H9%e ndt at the Bluff until about the mid
S %e VI oGtooer. Here they were largely REIN
1TSrcea, all the able bodied Americans east Of the
aIIruanalSGy Joining the force. Bernado. for reasons
Mana S' iosSiNtu thC tlllb Vi ueueTdl.
aagee, the actual commander.in-chief, was
ueetea Colonel, and an adventurous settler
aaned hemper was chosen Major. Before the
my mn ielt the Trinity Capt. James Gaines, com
nI1uuihs Inc MeXIcans east of that river, Joined
Aoout the middle OF October the Republican
eonnpS ol the North, admirably organized, well
tuSS H. ana tlled with enthusiasm, crossed
N ifipity, took, tho La Bahia road, and set out
n is long and ~perilous march. 1t met with
a n opposltion until after crossing first the
.nan9s ana then the Colorado; the advance
MAJ captured some Spanish spies. From these
mssS So learned that Gov. Salcedo was In com
ton hu u ~ La bahia, situated upon the San An.
being ih Nv about eighty miles away; and that,
pTobsb tuiornAed that the Americans would
SSs g1oa9ly attack that place. he with I,4OO troops
VIII VIII hadYAhced TO the banks of the GauaaIupe
the cr rns intention Of forming an ambuscade at
hi nVseihV OF that stream. Confirmation of
hsiom 'eLlllgehce induced Magee to cross The river
ncconp Ing oId road, which. being successfully
forccd lt'hei, opened the way 10 La Bahia. K
dayiiiG march brought him to that place before
him on th on nov. IA; leaving Salcedo awaiting
Snani.h' me banks OF the Guadalupe. The 100
cre,p nph troops IN the fort surrendered at dis.
boiiss, Vn, ana the Republican Army OF the North.
SELF the Lone Star flag above Il. found them.
iIarv ~ tae possession of an abundance of mil
The Ior, or anu The spanish military chest. In
cantnroo we're sixteen pieces OF artillery, The
bail dt",i specie proved ample to discharge ali
$50 uuNh 10 the Ipnnna a,I,.,