Texas Almanac, 1859 Page: 53
[224] p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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TEXAS REVOLIUMON.
Trask was brought in with his thigh bone broken by a ball. After probing the
wound with my finger, I told Dr. Ewing it was either a grape-shot or a scopette
ounce ball, such as scopettes carry. He and Dr. Jones declared it was a common
bullet-hole.. I told them to examine for themselves, but as he did not belong to
my regiment 'shiil no more.
li brave men wht were making this attack upon the enemy on his own
'gtind, findingthey were unsupported, as had been agreed, were compelled to re-
treat. Thefact is, the company promised them had never been ordered out at all,
and'hence theywere lidble to be entirely cut off and sacrificed, and they had there-
fore no alternativtbut to retire. Thus ended the skirmishing of the 20th. Trask
and Woodlief were sent-across the bayou to Gen. Zavalla's house.
The number of our men in camp was quite small, having diminished from 1600
on the Colorado, to what we now estimated at less than 800; yet all were confident,
as every man believed himself equal to four of the enemy. Night came on, finding
us rather hungry, as we had eaten nothing during the day, save what little each
happened to bare in his pocket or wallet. The guards of the night were doubled,
and a most profound silence prevailed throughout our camp till morning.
THE 21sT AND ITS GLORIOUS RESULTS.
The morning of the ever memorable 21st of April dawned and exhibited many
cheerful and animated faces, though some presented an expression of despondency.
All were seen exchanging opinions as to what was best to do, and all were of the
same mind, the common expression being: "Let us attack the enemy and give
them h-ll at once." The flat-boat that had been.ordered with the axes tbrmaking
a floating bridge to cross the army, had not arrived; and had it arrived, notaman
would have put it and the axes to the use intended, as a retreat was the furthest
from their thoughts. An immediate and hand-to-hand fight was the desire of all
the men.
RE-INFORCE1ENTS TO THE ENEMY.
Breakfast was hardly over (with those who had any, for some had little or noth-
ing to eat) when our spies reported a large number of mules in sight, with pack-
saddles on. And now there was a general murmur, for most agreed that it was a
re-inforcement to the enemy, though others insisted that these mules had strayed
from the enemy's camp, and were now only being driven back. Erastus, comr on-
ly known as Deaf Smith, passed by me remarking: "A hot time is preparing forus
-the enemy is increasing." As Col. Lynch had a small spy-glass, we walked at
least a quarter of a mile into the prairie, and we plainly saw the soldiers walking
by the side of the pack-mules, and judged the mules to number about 200.
Houston declared it was only a sham, and no re-inforcement. Yet many became
clamorous, and murmurs were heard to the effect that: "The delays of our com-
mander are continually adding strength to the enemy, and diminishing our own;
yesterday, they had 500; to-day, they have 1500, and to-morrow they will have
6000. To-day, we muist fight, or never." As this long string of mules disappeared,
Deaf Smith. who was standing near me holding his horse, remarked: "They have
traveled over our track. The bridge at Vince s ought to be burnt down. I will
see the General." Upon this, he mounted his horse, and two minutes after he rides
up to me, saying: "Where is your horse? The General thinks it a good plan. You
must go with me and help cut down the bridge. I know where I can get an axe."
Finding me on foot, he said: "Never min , I will. find another." At about 2
o'clock, he returned, and I asked him how he had succeeded. He said: "I first
fired it, but it would not burn; and I then cut away a few timbers and made it fall
into the bayou." At about ten that morning, Col. Wharton visited every mess in
camp, and slapping his hands together, he spoke loud and quick: "Boys, there is
no other word to-day but fight, tight! Now is the time!" Every man was eager
for it, but all feared another disappointment, as the commander still showed no dis-
position whatever to lead the men out. Over one-half the men paraded, expect-
mag orders, but, up to noon, nothing couldbe decided: yet the desire of the men
only increased the more, until finally, Houston said to Wharton: "Fight, and be
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Texas Almanac, 1859, book, 1859~; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123765/m1/54/?rotate=90: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.