The Texas Almanac for 1870, and Emigrant's Guide to Texas Page: 44
[290] p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
44 THE TEXAS ALMANAC.
furthermore, that should the company of Toluca leave me unsupported, the
enemy would probably pounce upon the stores, all of which would go to the
devil. Colonel Bringas advised me to do as best I could, adding, that I ought
to know that no observations could be made to His Excellency, and he
had no desire to argue with him, in the raving state of mind in which
he was.
The Colonel parted with me, followed by the company of Toluca. It may
well be imagined, that, as soon as the enemy saw our artillery and stores
unprotected, he paid them special attention. He established his cannons in
such a manner as to disable our gun, and to support an attack, should it take
place. Their first shot shattered the caisson on the limber; another scattered
about our ordnance-boxes; another, again, killed two fine mules; and they
kept annoying us during the two long hours it took me to remove, with only
two mules, forty and odd boxes of ammunition. How the General-ln-chief
had endangered the whole division ! I acknowledge that I had never before
been in such danger. What would have become of me, if, in consequence of
the General's order, the enemy had captured our artillery and stores, as he
might have done, unsupported as it was? I had no resource, left but to make
the best defence I could with my gun. For this purpose, I instructed Lieu-
tenant Arenal to have it loaded with grape, and not to fire until the enemy
came within close range, in order both to spare ammunition and to intimidate
the assailants.
At length, at 5 o'clock P.x., my duty was performed, and, as i entered the
camp with the last load, I was closely followed by the enemy's cavalry. His
Excellency, noticing it, instructed me to order Captain Aguirre, who com-
manded our cavalry, to face the enemy, without gaining ground. This
movement checked the enemy for a few moments; but, soon after, they dashed
upon our dragoons, and were close enough to engage them with the sword
without, however, any material result. Then, His Excellency, deploying
several companies as skirmishers, forced the enemy back to his camp, on
which he retired sluggishly and in disorder.
This last engagement took place after sun-down.
At daybreak on the 21st, His Excellency ordered a breastwork to be erected
for the cannon. It was constructed with pack-saddles, sacks of hard bread,
baggage, &c. A trifling barricade of branches ran along its front and right.
The camping ground of His Excellency's selection -was, in all respects,
against military rules. Any youngster would have done better.
We had the enemy on our right, within a wood, at long, musket range.
Our front, although level, was exposed to the fire of the enemy, who could
keep it up with impunity from his sheltered position. Retreat was easy for
him on his rear and right, while our own troops had no space for manceuver-
ing. We had in our rear a small grove, reaching to the bay shore, which
extended on our right as far as New Washington. What ground had we to
retreat upon in case of a reverse? From sad experience, I answer-None'!
A few hours before the engagement, I submitted to General Castrillon a
few remarks on the subject, suggested by my limited knowledge. But, he
answered: " What can I do, my friend? I know it well, but I cannot help it.
You know that nothing avails here against the caprice, arbitrary will and
ignorance of that man." This was said in an impassioned voice, and in close
proximity to His Excellency's tent.
At 9 o'clock A.M. General Cos came in with a reinforcement of about 500
men. His arrival was greeted with the roll of drums and with joyful shouts.
As it was represented to His Excellency that these men had not slept the
night before, he instructed them to stack their arms, to remove their accoutre-
ments; and to go to sleep quietly in the adjoining grove.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
The Texas Almanac for 1870, and Emigrant's Guide to Texas, book, January 1870; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123775/m1/46/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.