Texas: the rise, progress, and prospects of the Republic of Texas, Vol.1 Page: 335 of 432
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CHAP. III.] ADVANCE OF ELISONDO.
281
cruel act, that the persons thus disposed of had, in
like manner, murdered some of his own relations
and companions in arms.
The invading force, much reduced in numbers by
the withdrawal of Kemper and his friends, remained
inactive at Bexar, under the command of
Colonel Ross, who had signalised himself at the
Salado. The new leader became attached to a
lady in the town, the daughter of a Mexican
officer. On the 16th of June, the Royalist General,
Elisondo, who had advanced unperceived, appeared
within four miles of the place with 4500 men, and
summoned the garrison to surrender. The Americans
immediately repaired to their posts, in obedience
to their Colonel, but no Mexican was visible,
each having fled to his habitation, and left the streets
deserted. While Ross was speculating on the probable
cause of the mysterious disappearance of his
allies, he was startled by a visit from his lady-love,
who, hurrying into his presence, her bright eyes
dim with tears, threw herself into his arms, and
implored him to fly for life, as the Mexican troops
had all along been apprised of the march of Elisondo,
and had resolved to unite with him and the
citizens of Bexar in a general massacre of the Americans.
On receipt of this intelligence, Ross, satisfied
of its truth, called a council of war, and urged
upon his officers the necessity of commencing an
immediate retreat; but the majority, uninfluenced
by the seductions of a weeping Cleopatra, rejected
the advice with ridicule, and determined, at every
risk, to abide the issue on the spot. Ross lhimself,
by no means deficient in courage, but more credu
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Kennedy, William. Texas: the rise, progress, and prospects of the Republic of Texas, Vol.1, book, January 1, 1841; London. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2389/m1/335/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.