Heritage, 2007, Volume 4 Page: 28
31 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Images of the newspaper-lined stagecoach trunk that was purchased 45 years ago by a Texas woman in New York. Close
inspection of the newspaper articles inside of the trunk told the story of Davy Crockett's survival at the Alamo. Images provided
by Marshall J. Doke Jr.Article from the CORTLAND ADVOCATE from Cortland
Village, Cortland County, New York, May 12, 1836.
TEXAS
The annexed letter from the Columbus (Geo.) Herald of
April 19th contains a more exact and connected view of the
late events in Texas, that we have elsewhere seen. It was written
by a Mr. Lambkin, late of Texas, to Gen. Bethune, of
Columbus.
On board Schr. DeKalb,
MISSISSIPPI RIVER, April 7.
Dear Sir- You are no doubt somewhat surprised at the
heading of this page; but a few words will explain all. I am
on board of one of a number of vessels that are laden with the
unfortunate, who are flying from the terrors of war. You have
perhaps heard of the storming of San Antonio, and massacre
of the Texian garrison. All without an exception perished, save
a woman and two negroes, Davy Crocket [sic] was among the
number. - He had fully sustained his great character for intrepidity
during an unsuccessful attempt of the enemy to storm
the Alamo, just one week before the massacre. A short time
previous to this, a party of 60 or 70 under Col. Johnson, were
cut off, save four. John Love was among the number who escaped.
Reuben Brown fell there, and young Mitchell, of Harris
county, fell in the Alamo. The taking of the Alamo was
followed by the retreat of the main army from Gonzalez, and
by the extermination of Fannin's regiment, 500 strong.
Maj. Ward, and the Georgia battalion (Capt. Wadsworth
company included) had been detached by Col. Fannin, thenat Bahi, to protect some families who were flying from the enemy;
when they were attacked, and after fighting and retreating
nearly two days, were at length overpowered by numbers,
and all put to the sword, but four who escaped, and only two
of them Georgians; one Richard Rutledge, formerly of Columbus,
and the other David I. Holt.
In the meantime, Fannin had received orders to abandon
the fortress of La Bahi, which he immediately executed, and
returned towards the main army with the balance of his troops,
360 men, and seven pieces of artillery, when they were attacked
in an open prairie by a large Mexican force, mostly cavalry.
- A small advance guard having been separated from the main
body saw the fight, but could not tell the result. The termination
to this unhappy affair, was explained by three men who
escaped about the time of the catastrophe. Fannin sustained a
great many charges in quick succession, sustaining some damage,
and doing much execution; and kept retreating during the
fight, which lasted the greater part of the day, until he gained
some post oak woods, when the Mexicans ceased their charges,
but closely invested the place on all sides. Here Fannin received
propositions from the enemy, and capitulated upon the
promise of [parole]. [His wife arrived] in Texas, but not in
time to see her husband.
Many other barbarities have been committed. The army of
Texas after making a stand for a short time at the Colorado,
has retreated to the east of Brasos. San Phillippe is burnt (by
the citizens) and there is a probability that Brazora and Washington
have shared the same fate. I do not expect that there are
half a dozen families West of the Brassos. The enemy is known
to be marching into the country in two divisions of 2000 men
each; one through the interior upon the San Phillippe, and
another along the coast towards Velasco. They were constantlyHERITAGE / Volume 4 2007
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Texas Historical Foundation. Heritage, 2007, Volume 4, periodical, 2007; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth45360/m1/28/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Foundation.