Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-06-29

that General Robert T.. Lee had
surrendered.
This news was soon known to all
the troops and caused them To de-
sert by the score and 70 return
home. SO that OH the morning OF the
twelfth of May there were not more
than 800 effective men at and be-
low Brownsville.
Sometime before. the Confederate
forces. upon the suggestion OF Cen
eral Lew Wallace. the same Wallace
who wrote "Hen-Hur." and other
well known volumes. had arranged
a truce with the United States
troops on Brazos Island. The Con-
federates were naturally off guard.
so to speak. for under the assurance
OF the truce. they did not consider
a recurrence OF hoStilitieS possible.
Picture their establishment. then.
when on the afternoon OF May III
word came that the Federal forces
under Brevet Brigadier General
Barrett were advancing upon
Brownsville. These troops consisted
Of the thirty-second Indnna. bet
ter known as the Morton Rifles. a
regiment az negro troops differed
by Lieut. Col. Bronson. q part OF a
New York regiment and a company
or the Second Texas FederaD IN
der command Of Lieutenant or Cap
tain James Hancock. numbering al
together about l.6O0 men.
Ford. a Capable Man
Here IL il interesting 10 note the
effect the federal advance had on
the CCnfederates In Brownsville.
John Salmon Ford. he 1t recalled.
had kept the FederalS confined 20
Brazos Island and a small strip Of
the coast. They dared not come
out and attack him: consequently
they were never again able 10 pene-
trate the Texas hinterlands- Yet
Ford knew too well that an attempt
TO disl0dGe them would result in
disaster to his handful of badly
equipped men. for he was over
whelmingly outnumbered by the
Federals On the coast. The Federals.
moreover, had the added advan-
tare Of naval support. a factor
which consistently aided their op-
erations.
Instead Of %rewarding the nan who
had % skillfully kept the Federals
out Of the state. general headquar-
tiers sent Brigadier General J. z.
Slaughter I'd be Ford's superior In
the Rio G-ande military district.
Ford was finally promoted 70 gen.
eral but the advancement came too
late to amply reward the man who
had served SO long, and with such
unselfishncss.
Slaughter, although an honorable
and brave man, was altogether
lacking in military ability. At one
time he insisted on carrying out n
OF Ford's plans for an attack OF the
Federal works ON the coast. Slaugh-
ter's attempt 20 carry out the plan
Of another man ended in a piece OF
military %buffoonerv. Slaughter soon
found Ford obstinate and hard 20
handle. and subsequent events in
dicate clearly that nc was little q
than a figurehend: Ford was the
dominant figure in the operations
which marked the close Of the CiT1
war.
Plans to Put Up Fight
When the news came that the
Federals were marching on Browns
vile. General Slaughter. who was
dining at Ford's quarters, gravely
asserted he had been hastily prepar-
ing to meet the unexpected emery
encv. He told Of vehicles and 9TH
er things he had impressed.
Ford put the question. General,
vSlat DO you intend TO d0?'
The reply was. Retreat"
You can retreat and 60 TO he'll
IN YOU wish" Ford replied. these
men are mine. and T am going 20
fight. I have held this place against
heavy odds. III you lose II without a
fight the people az the Confederacy
will hold you accountable"
On the night OF May II the Con-
federate forces were concentrated.
Ford. assuming command. marched
down the river 10 the San Martin
ranch. Slaughter remained III
Brownsville 70 protect the place
from an attack which General
Cortina az the Mexican side was
reported on the verge OF making.
This was an absurd move because
with most az the men IN the field
with Ford ne could do little to pro-
tect the city.
Ford moved on 70 the San Martin
ranch. He found a skirmish IN
progress. Captain Robinson OF Cid
dinEs' regiment was holly engaged
By Hancock's company OF the Sec
ond Texas and a company Of the
Morton Rifles. IA regiment or negro
troops was moving forward.
Ford Immediately made his dis
positions. His right wing was or
dered to attack the enemy's right
flank. The artillery. which con-
sisted of six field pieces was direct
ed to open fire Ford rose before his
men and addressed them.
Harangues His Soldiers
we have whipped them before.
We can do il again" he said.
"A great cry or Murray for old
RIP" now rose from the troops.
The command TO charge was given
and the battle began IN earnest.
Taking two companies or cavalry as
his personal command. Ford rushed
into the conflict. The negro reEi-
ment. demoralized. broke and fled
The Morton Rifles and Eancock's
company were literally cut 20 pieces
and Ford's fierce cavalry charges
harrassed the Federals everywhere.
The Indiana troops threw down
their arms and surrendered: most
Of Hancock's troops escaped. re-
treating through the dense chap