The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 14, July 1910 - April, 1911 Page: 333
348 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Notes and Fragments
333
a large number of other prisoners that had been taken a few days
previous to our surrender. We had not been in this situation many
days before orders arrived for all prisoners at Goliad to be shot,
but through the humanity of the officer commanding this garrison
we (I mean the battalion under the command of W. P. Miller)
were spared by his disobeying the above order, while 415 of my
fellow countrymen were executed at sunrise on Sunday, March 27.
This was an awful day to me; never shall I forget it or the night
previous. I thought of home, how my friends would receive the
news of a brother being executed in a strange land as a pirate;
but through the goodness of God I was spared, but was still kept
a prisoner of war until the 19th of May when with 25 others we
made our escape by seizing the guard placed over us and disarming
them. The balance of the prisoners could have escaped also if
they had made the attempt, but poor fellows they let the oppor-
tunity pass without effecting their object. Where they now are I
am unable to say, probably made slaves of ere this in Mexico.
After getting clear of danger of the Mexicans we made all possible
speed to the Texan Army, which we labored under a good deal of
discouraging circumstances; we were ignorant of the situation of
our own army; we also had to pass through a country full of In-
dians that were enemies to us; we were without arms, without pro-
vision. and were obliged to subsist on grass and nuts that we found
in the woods. We however reached the army on the 25th of May,
seven days after our escape from the enemies' prison. Thus you
will perceive that a soldier's life is not so pleasant at such times.
After joining the army again I was elected a captain of a volun-
teer company composed principally of those who made their escape
with me. I was then in a few days ordered to this place to take
charge of Gen. Santa Anna, who is our prisoner. Since having
this important personage entrusted to my keeping I have not had
time to write you or even think of home; such is the excitement
against Gen. Santa Anna the inhabitants of the country are deter-
mined that he shall never leave Texas alive; therefore it requires
every attention for his safe keeping. Since I have had charge of
him there has been two attempts to kill him, but without success.
I have just received orders to take to the army Gen. Santa Anna,
for a purpose I do not know, but am fearful that it is for no good.
My health is good.
Your affect. Brother,
Abner S. McDonald.
It will be needless for you to write to me as it will be altogether
uncertain where I shall be ordered to, and we also have to depend
upon private conveyance.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 14, July 1910 - April, 1911, periodical, 1911; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101054/m1/363/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.