The Northern Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 38, Ed. 1, Thursday, June 8, 1843 Page: 1 of 2
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THE NORTHERN STANDARD.
CHAS. OE MORSE
LONGSHALL OUR BANNER BRAVE THE BREEZE THE STANDARD OF THE FREE.
" j ; ij
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
VOL. I.
CLARKSVILLE TEXAS JUNE 8 1843
NO. 38-
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY C. DE MORSE
TERMS:
The NoKTBxuf Stakdjlbd ii published every Saturday
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When advertisements are Inserted without bring paid in
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(Jj All advertisements unless the number of insertions is
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All letters to the Editor connected with the business of the
paper must be post paid or they will notbe received.
DEPARTURE OF THE TEXAN SQUA-
DRON. On Saturday evening about 9 o'clock the Texan
squadron comprising the sloop of war Austin and
the brig Wharton left this port under the command
of Commodore E. W. Mooie. They were towed
'from their moorings to the Balize by towboat Lion.
We are pleased to state that both vessels were well
manned and amply furnished with provisions and mu-
nitions for a long cruise. The officers and men
were in high spirits and we trust it will be in our
power when next we hear fron them to record a
'brilliant victory upon the deep sea over the subtle
an'd treacherous foes they seek.
We published several days ngo a list of the offi-
cer: attached to the two vessels. The whole force
of the (loop Austin the Commodore's flag ship con
sists of or.e hundred and forty-six men officers inclu
ded. 1 he ship carries twenty guns known as "me
dium twenty fours." The crew of the brie What-
ton under the command of Capt. Lothrop numbers
eighty six men including officers. The armament
of the brig is sixteen guns all eighteen pounders.
The melancholy fate of the San Antonio ix' already
well known. The San Bernard has been ashore
'many months at Galveston. Lieut. Crisp one-of
'the ornaments of the Texan service the former com-
mander of this schooner if not generally known
"has like many cf his old companions found an ocean
grave. He started for England on leave of absence
-and was lost by the shipwreck of the vessel in which
he embarked.
The real force of the Navy has thus been reduc-
ed to the Austin and the Wharton. The principal
officers on these vessel without an exception are
'brave and accomplished men and fully entitled to
confidence.
The Mexican Navy has undergone strange muta-
lions. In the first place it received an accession
bv means of treachery of the entire naval force of
Yucatan consisting of one of the finest brigs afloat
and two schooners. The New York built schooner
Eagle was next added and finally those most for-
midable vessels the war steamers Guadaloupe and
-the Montezuma were contributed to swell the force.
So that the Mexican Navy now consists of the follow-
ing vessels:
Montezuma steamship two 68 pounders and eight
32 pounders all faixhan guns.
Guadaloupe two 68 Paixhan guns.
Reenerador two 18 pounders.
Yucateco twelve 18 pounders and two 12 pound
en.
Brig Campeachano one 18 pounder and six 12
pounders.
Schooner Eagle one 32 and six 18 pounders all
Paixhan guns.
It will be seen by this statement that in the num-
ber of vessels and weight of metal the Mexicans are
infinitely superior to their antagonist but inmost
other respects they are vastly inferior. All accounts
concur in representing the Mexican vessels to be in-
efficiently manned and most miserably mismanaged.
Admiral Lofez has command of the Squadron
and his character for courage is not at all flattering.
His crews are incomplete his officers incompetent
and wild disorder reigns throughout the fleet. His
flag-ship the Guadaloupe as late as the 11th of
the present month ten days aco was at Lerma near
Campeaehy. The brigs Yucateco and Campechano
were likewise at Lerma. The Regenerator had sail-
ed fo Vera Cruz and the Montezuma and the
schooner Eagle were at Telchac one hundred and
sixty miles from Campeaehy. The late signal de-
feat of the Mexicans in their attempt on Merida
will undoubtedly send the Montezuma and (ho Eagle
back to Campeaehy and as information of the sail-
ago! Commodore Moore will nave been received
at Lerma before his vessels are seen in that quarter it
is .mere than probable that the entire Mexican fleet
will await his coming or take Tcfuge with charac-
teristic Mexican bravery under the walls of San Ju
-an it Vlloa. The Texan vessels are quite well
xn&ned for the service in which they are about to be
engaged. Under other circumstances a larger num.
Iber of men might be desirable but we arc well pur--snaded
that they will be taken into no conflict which
will thin their numbers to so creat an extent as to
render them incapable of managing the vessels with
skill and power. Both the Texan ships are freely
proviaea wiin a species oi sneu snot reccuuy iuem-
ed and never used which must become a most ter-
ribly destructive engine of naval warfare far more
destructive in fact than the Paixhan shot and capa-
ble of being directed at anv obiect with the most un
erring precision. We saw several ot them tneo.
They explode with tremendous effect the moment
their progress is stopped by any solid substance
eu of tbem planted in the frame of a ship must pro-
dace the most awful devastation.
- It is quite proper to add that the present naval
force of Yucalan.-under the command of Coif. Bot-
i.a5. baa resdered iuelf somewhat formidable. It
now consists of eight gun-boats and two schooners
Th gufl-basts alone on sereral -occasions have beat
en off the steamers inflicting considerable damage
and will greatly aid the Texans in the conflict that
must speedily ensue.
In a letter to us from Commodore Moore which
we shall publish to-morrow he informs us that he
will go first to Galveston where he will stop a few
hours and that he will thence sail direct for Cam-
peachy and attack the Mexican Squadron off that
point whether its numbers be great or small. We
hope he has finally concluded to alter his determina-
tion and tbat he has taken a "bee line" from the Ba-
lize for Campeaehy. We are promised the earliest
and most accurate informa'ion respecting the move-
ments of the two vessels.
One thing we do know the Texans are animated
by as brave and fearless a spirit as ever governed the
motions of men devoted to their country and they
will return conquerors or thev will never return at
all. Tropic.
INTERESTING FROM YUCATAN.
Letter fron Commodore Moore Minutes of the
.Action between the Texan Squadron and the
Mexican Steamers of War on Sunday the 30lh
of April J-c c.
The schooner Octavia Captain Churchill arrived
in New Orleans on the 13th May from Laguna.
which post she left on the 2nd. and Campeaehy on
the evening of the 5th insL by which we are placed
in possession ot full accounts of the events that had
occurred connected with the Texian squadron from
its sailing from the Balize to the 5lh inst. The in-
telligence is of a highly interesting character and
will be read with great interest by every well wish-
er of the gallant Republic of the Single Star. Be.
low ve give a letter from Commodore Moore and
a detailed statement of the action between the Texan
squadron aud the Mexican war steamers.
lne Mexican fleet consisting of three steamers
two brigs two schooners and five transports were at
anchor off Lerma.
MINUTES OF THE ACTION OF SUNDAY
APRIL 30th.
Texas Sloop op War Austin orr
Campeachy. April 30 1843.
At 4 a. m. called all hands and piped the ham
mocks up at 4 30 called all hands "up anchor" to
stand off until the sea breeze set in at 4 45 as the
day broke the enemy hove in sight consisting of the
steamer Montezuma 7 guns and Guadaloupe 4
guns; brigs Yucateco 12 guns and Iman 7 guns
schooners Eagle 7 guns and Campechano 3 guns
wc were then standing lor the land on the starboard
tack the brig Wharton in company with the witid
about E. S. E. At 6 35 hove the main-top-sail to
mast to let the brig come up at 6 40 filled away
at b 5U tacked ship and stood for the enemy trying to
get the weather gage of them at 6 55 made signal
77 at 7 05 hoisted the Texan ensign at the peak
and mizen English and American ensigns at fore
and the broad pennant at the main when the crews
of both vessels gave three hearty cheers made
signal 96 At 7 10 the Montezuma appeared to he
aground we set the foresail. At 7 15 the schooners
Sisaleno and Independencia and five gun boats from
Campeachy hove in sight standing for us at the
same time the Montezuma succeeded in getting off
the enemy's vessels wore round and stood to the S.
finding we were coming on them too fast. At 7 30
the enemy wore round and stood for us hauling up
foresail at 7 35 the enemy commenced firing at us
most of their shot passed over some fell short but
not one struck us. At 7 50 manned our larboard
battery and exchanged five broadsides with the ene
my s steamers the sail vessels then on our starboard
bow on the starboard tack firing at us. At 7 55 the
enemy's vessels tacked to keep out of our reach
when we ho vein stays and fired our starboard broad
side at them. At 8 the brig passed close under our
lee when Commodore Moore ordered her Comman-
der to follow his motions. At 8 10 manned the
starboard battery and exchanged three broadsides
with the steamers wore and stood to the S. to join
the sail vessels. At 8 26 finding our shot did not
reach them ceased firing.- At 8 35 the schooners
Sisaleno and Independencia with the gunboats com-
manded by Commander J. D. Bnylan passed us
gave them three hearty cheers which they returned
they then tacked and followed our motions the Inde-
pendencia wearing at the Fore No. 5 of our signals
between the the two squadrons. At 8 40 beat the
retreat and piped the grog. At 8 07 the land breeze
dying away came to with the starboard anchor with
springs on the chain two fathoms water thirty fath
oms chain the ;ityof Campeachy bearingS. E. dis
tant 7 miles piped to breakfast.
At 9 30 nearly dead calm ship s head S. tne
enemy's squadron on our starboard beam the Brig
Wharton on our larboard beam Yucatan vessels on
our starboard Quarter. At 11 15 the two steamers
approached us; beat to quarters the Yucatan vessels
commenced firing upon the enemy; the steamers
fired several shots at them and us sprung the ship
with the larboard soring to bung ourstarboard bat
tery to bear on the enemy. At 1 1 27 a light
breeze springing up from t!ie N. West slipped
the anchor with 30 fathoms chain putting a slip-
buov on the chain filled away on the starboard
tack and exchanged several broadsides with the
steamers. At 11 35 a sixty-eight pound snoiirora
the Guadalcuoe. cut the alter shroud of the miz-
zen Tigging about eight feet above the oeao-eye
. r. - . . . . i
(Commodore Moore horamgthe shroud at the time.)
passed between Commodore Moore and Lieut Gray
would have killed both of them but that the one dodg-
ed to the right and the other to the left; passed
through tbe poop deck into the cabin and passed
out the stem about two feet above the transom. Up
to 11 40 continued firing at the enemy but finding
our shot did cot reach tbem and tbey having the
weather gage of us we kept off for Campeachy
the men being completely exhausted but in good spir-
its having been at quarters and working ship with
scarcely any cessation nearly the whole of the pre
vious twenty.four hours. At 11 45 Com. Boylan
sent a pilot on board at 12 15 the ship struck light
ly but continued to go a head a little; at 12 20 brig
Wharton passed nnder ourjlee Com. Moore ordered
her Commander to steer for Campeachy. At 12 30
finding the ship remained aground made signal 146
to brig Wharton at 12 40 the ship floated whsa we
steered on our course. At 1 p. m. the steamers fired
several shots at us which we returned but as our
shot did not reach them we ceased firing when the
enemy's vessels hauled off and stoud to the S. and
W.
JAMES W. MOORE Secretary.
Texas Sloop or War Austin
Off Lerma May (th. 1843.
We got out of the river Mississippi on Wednes
day the 19th ult and the same afternoon made
tracks lor 1 elehae where I learned the steamer Mon-
tezuma was alone.
On the 21st of April commenced carrying out
the sentences of our Court Martial released Fred'k
Shepperd and pardoned John W. Williams who
was sentenced to receive fifty lashes with the cats
but strongly recommended to mercy. 22J carried
into effect the sentence in the case of W. Barrington
one hundred lashes with cats. 25th carried into
effect the sentence in the case of Edward Keenan
one hundred lashes with cats and informed the
prisoners Antonio Lindois James Hudgins Isaac
Allen and William Simpson that the Court had
sentenced tbem to death and that they would be
hung at the Fore Yard the following day which
was carried into effect on the 25th at the time ap-
pointed in lat. 23 31 North and long. S8 19 22 W.
I shall not attempt to describe to you the preparation
or my feelings on the occasion. I had never seen a
man executed the brig Wharton was not in sight
and there never was a crew that performed the aw
ful painful: but sacred duty with belter decorum and
discipline. 1 hey evidently thought that they would
be pardoned to the last moment and protested to
their innocence in the murder of Lieut. Fuller or
the wounding of either of the midshipmen. The
bodies were left hanging ntthe Fore Yard (the ship
laying 10 wim tne lore-top-saii to the mast) lor one
hour (during which time the crew got their dinner.) '
when they were lowered on deck and given to their
messes for the purpose of preparing them for inter-
ment and we filled away en our course. At 2-30
the ship again hove to (with the main top sail to the
mast) and the bodies committed to the deep each
one separately the funeral service was read by Thos.
P. Anderson Surgeon. At 2 55 filled away on
our course. On the next afternoon at sun set we
hove tb off the village of Telchac and the next morn-
ing met the brig Whaiton which vessel had not
been in company since the night ve left the Bali?.e
on the afternoon of the 28th communicated with the
authorities at Sisal and learned that we were oft"
Telchac one day too late for the Montezumj as she
had gone to Lerma; and that the expedition that land
ed at Telchac had surrendered to the Yucatan troops
on the 24th April Filled away for Campeachy at
5PM April the 28th. At sunset on the afternoon
of the 29th anchored within about 16 miles from Ler-
ma. l herewith enclose you a copy of the minutes
of the action on Saturday 30th April.
But one shot struck the Wharton which killed two
men and wounded four. Had the wind been strong-
er I would have been enabled to have got nearer. I
did not open fire upon them until 1 found that they
were widening the distance. The Captain of the
Montezuma was buried at Lerma the neit day )Mon-
day) -v.'e do not of course know what damage has
been done to the enemy. I saw several shot strike
tbe steamers and very many .fell near them tod in
all probability struck them in the ricochet. This is
however all conjecture. We have had since a report
from Lerma that eleven were killed and that the
Captain of the Montezuma died of the yellow fever.
After giving my crew allday Monday (1st May.)
to rest during which time the enemy could have ap-
proached within a mile and a quarter of us had he
chosen. On Tuesday at daylight we were under
way standing for them but before we got within gun
shot they all stood to the N. and W. The land
breeze at this season of the year dies away about 9
or 1U o clock then is a calm of two or three hours.
I tacked stood in and anchored about a mile and a
half further out than my position of the preceding
36 hours where I lay until this morning when we
again stood out to give them battle which tbey again
declined although they have been reinforcedby the
steamer Regenerador (old City of Dublin.) The
whole number outside of us at this time is twelve sail
seven men of war and five transports.
On the night of the 2nd tbe Yucatan gun boats
cut out irom L-srma three vessels two of them
American the schr. Fanny and the brig Adda Eli-
za the latter having a cargo of coal; they will
both be released as soon as the contraband of wsr
is taken out of them the other belongs to Yuca
tan.
I am awaiting a good breexe wien I shall go
out and attack them. The officers and crew are
all in high spirits.
it l had a steamer nere I would give ten
'jears of my life as with one I could get to close
action at once and decide the fate of Texas.
Yours truly
E. W. MOORE
IMPORTANT FROM YUCATAN.
FOUR HUNDRED MEXICANS KILLED
IN BATTLE!
The schooner Rosario Capt Ducy arrived at
this port yesterday morning four days from Cam-
peachy. She brings most important intelligence
from Yucatan. Just before the departure of the Ro
sario information was received at Campeachy o'
tbe total discomfiture of the Mexican army intended
for the invasion of the interior of Yucatan. The
facts of the case as we have been enabled to gather
them from the most reliabls sources are as follows:
Gen. Lemus tbe traitor formerly in command
of the Yucatan forces bad been placed at the head of
the troops 2000 in number and landed at Telchac
for tbe subjugation of Yucatan. Telchac is a small
village on the Northern coast of Yucatan one hun-
dred and sixty miles from Campeachy. and thirty
miles from Merida. It was presumed that Lcmus
was so well acquainted with the country tbat be
would experience but little difficulty in making his
way to the interior although it was well known that
Gen. Llergo with 2500 Yucatecos. hastily gather
ed together had determined to oppose his advance
All proper preparations having been made Le-
rau3 iooic up mi line oi rasren Jjom i eiense to
wards Merida. The road it seems was a strange
one skirted on each side with low swampy ground.
Llergo with his force retreated until the Mexicans
had advanced to a small village eighteen miles from
Merida where he attacked the enemy most unexpect-
edly in front and in rear with extraordinary vigor.
The Mexicans for a short period defended them-
selves with unusual bravery and were slaughtered
in large numbers. More than four hundred fell on
the field and the balance took refuge in a stone church
and such other buildings as promised protection.
The loss of the Yucatecos was comparatively quite
small.
About the time the Rosario left Campeachy the
report reached that place that beyond all doubt the
entire Mexican force would be annihilated as all
chance of retreat had been cut off and their situation
in every particular was most perilous.
The news from the fleet is likewise quite interest-
ing. The schooner Sisaleana mounting four guns
had been surrendered to the Campechanos She
was manned with thirty-seven men who with the of-
ficers the Capttin alone excepted determined to de-
sert from the Mexicans. The Captain was put
ashore and the schooner was delivered to Captain
Boylan by the Lieutenant.
At Laguna a few days previous to the sailing of
the Rosario 22 of the crew of the schooner Eagle
deserted and desertions from all the vessels were
most frequent. The steamship Rcgcnerador in a
sad condition leaking badly had sailed for Vera
Cruz in company with four of the transports. The
Montezuma and schooner Eagle wore at Tclchtc
waiting the result of the invasion of Yucatan. The
steamship Guadaloupe and the brigs Yucateco and
Campechano were at Lerma. The Guadaloupe is
described to be in a most desperate state having a
crew of only thirty-one men ten of them sailers.
But its of their original crew of Englishmen had
remained on board of her. She had received three
balls from thf gun boats one of them struck the
main-mart the second damaged the fore-mast and
the third lodged in the stern.
The schooner Two Sons formerly of this port
had been purchased by Gov. Mendez and added to
the Yucatan naval force. The whole Mexican fleet
is described to be in a most miserable condition and
has been probably totally disheartened by the defeat
of the Mexicans in the interior. Their fate will be
sealed on the arrival of Com. Moore.
We publish to-day a Proclamation of the Presi-
dent in relation to the sailing of tbe Texas Navy.
it was issuea on tne zdd ot March and delivered to
one of the Commissioners to be published in the
event that Post Captain E. W. Moore did not in-
stantly surrender the Navy to the Commissioners
appointee under a secret act of Congress. Of the
same date an order was sent to him from the Depart
ment of War and Marine suspending him from all
command and ordering him forthwith to report to
the Department in arrest. The orders were receiv-
ed by Commodore Moore on the 3d of April; from
which time all the functions ceased. Though it
seems that he proceeded subsequently to order a Court
Martial try prisoners and execute them without au-
thority of law. Wc presume the acts will be fully
explained in due time.
PROCLAMATION.
ar the president or the republic or Texas
Whereas R W. Moore a Post Cantaincnm-
manding the INavy of Texas was on the 29th of
October 1842 by the acting Secretary of Wnrand
Marine under direction of the President ordered to
leave the Port of New Orleans in the United States
and sail with all the vessels under his command to
the Port of Galveston in Texas; and whereas the
said orders were reiterated on the 5th and 16th No
vember 1842; and whereas he the said Post Cap-
tain E. W. Moore was ordered again on the 2nd
December 1842 to "proceed immediately and report
to the Department in person" and wherear he was
again on the 2nd January 1843 ordered to act in
conformity with previous orders and if practicable
report at Galveston: and whereas he was again on
the 22d of the same month peremptorily ordered to
report iu person to the Department and to "leave the
Ship Austin and Brig Wharton under command of
the senior omcer present' and whereas also com-
missioners were appointed and duly commissioned
under a secret act of the Congress of the Renuhlie'
in relation to the future disposition of the Navy of
..wu ...... f"-".i . in. uiicura in me un-
charge of the duties assigned them: and whereas the
said Post Captain E. W. Moore has disobeyed
and continues to disobey all orders of this Govern-
mnt and has refused and continues to refuse to de-
lr -j i-.-i -i ..'
uver over cam vessels to tne said commissioners in
accordance with law; but on the contrary declares
a disregard of the order? of this government and
avows his intention to proceed to sea under the flag
of Texas and in direct violation of said orders and
....:.. ........ .l. l:l .;. j . '
ciuiic upju luo uijju aeas wun urraea vessels con-
trary to the laws of the Republic and of nations:
and whereas the President of the Republic is deter-
mined to enforce the laws and exonerate the nation
from the imputation and sanction of such infamous
conduct; and with a view to exercise the offices of
friendship and good neighborhood towards those na-
tions whose recognition has been obtained: and for
the purpose of according due respect to the safely of
commerce anu me maintenance of tnoje most essen-
tial rules of subordination which have not heretofore
been so flagrantly violated by the subaltern officers
of any organized government known to the present
age "it has become necessary and proper to make
public these various acts of disobedience contuma-
cy and mutiny on the part of the said Post Captain
E. "W. Moore; Therefore:
I Sam. Houston President and Commander-in-
Chief of the Araiy and Navy of the Republic of
iexas oo oy tnese presents declare and proclaim
that he the aforesaid Post Captain E. W.
Moore is suspended from all command in tbe Navy
of the Republic and that all orders 'sealed' or oth
erwise which were issued to the said Post Captain
E. W. Moore previous to the 29th October 1842
are heicby revoked and declared null and void and
no is nereoy commanueu 10 ooey nis SUDsequent or-
ders and Teport forthwith in person to tho Head of
the department of warand marine of this Government.
And I do further declare and proclaim on failure
of obedience to this command or on bis having gone
to sea contrary to orders that this government will
no longer hold itself responsible for his acts upon
the high seas; but in such case requests all the gov-
ernments in treaty or on terms of amity with this
government and all naval officers on the high seas
or in ports foreign to this country to seize the said
Post Captain E. W. Moore the ship Austin and
brig Wharton with their crews and bring them or
any of them into the Port of- Galveston that the
vessels may be secured to the Republic and the cul-
prit or culprits arraigned and punished by the sen
tence of a legal tribunal.
lhc INaval Powers of Christendom will not per-
mit such a flagrant and unexampled outrage by a
commander of public vessels of war upon the rights
ot his nation and upon his official oath and duty to
pass unrebuked; for such would be to destroy all
civil rule and establish a precedent which would
jeopardize tbe commerce of the ocean and render
encouragement and sanction to piracy.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and caused the Great Seal of the Republic to
be affixed.
Done at Washington the 23d day of March in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and fortv-three and of the Independence of the Re-
public the eighth.
SAM. HOUSTON.
By the President John Hall
Acting Secretary of Suite.
The following interesting letter which appear
in the Tropic a few weeks since is supposed to bave
been writttn by the lamented Brenham.
Matamoras January 14th 1843.
By the courtesy of Capt. Castro of the Mexican
array I am favored with an opportunity of informing
you of my situation. My disastrous fate has again
led me into captivity. I little expected when we last
parted to be so soon involved in calamity. The cam-
paign in which I embarked was commenced under
the most auspicious circumstances and but for the
conduct of tbe leaders would have resulted greatly
to the honor and interest ot Texas. I have no time
to give you a detailed history of it you will receive
reports of the battle of Mier from other sources be-
fore this reaches you. I was induced to join the ex-
pedition in the hope that alt the men engaged in it
would do their duty and something effective might
be performed that would for a time at least have set-
tled the distracted condition of Texas; but I have
been disappointed. But a small portion of the army
crossed the Rio Grande to meet the enemy. We
have met them in Battle and after one of the fier-
cest conflicts of modern times with only 252 men
against 3000 we became prisoners. At the very
moment when we were about to achieve a most bril-
liant victory the trickery of our enemies produced
confusion among our men that resulted in a surren-
der. My voice however was loudly raised in op-
position to such a disgraceful measure but no argu-
ment that I could urge nor the relation of my ex-
perience of the faithlessness of the Mexicans could
have any eflecL I was compelled to lay down my
arras whilst at the same time I was confident that the
enemy was beaten. My impressions then have
since been confirmed by their own admissions. How-
ever unfortunate to us. the battle was still more fatal
to them and has stricken terror into the whole coun-
try at the name of Texian. I sincerely lament that
I have not time to give you a true and impartial ac-
count of the battle for publication. My position and -the
part I performed were such that with time I
could furnish a correct report of all the proceedings
antecedant to and current with the contest which I
fear will not be done faithfully as most men have in
such cases some aspirations or animosity tb gratify.
I earnestly hope thatjou may shortly see my friend
Mr. G. B. Crittenden who is to be left here and in
whose report you may place reliance. Although
my dark destiny has again led me into bondage it
was not again-by a bloodless surrender; more than
double our number fell under our fire and I have
the consolation of reflecung that 1 bore no inactive
part in the bloody scene of slaughter. I was one of
the sixteen who commenced the action and under
cover of whose fire the main body advanced into
town; two hours after our little party had to cross the
creek without a guide in the dark and amid a show-
er of grape shot canister and musket and cannon
balls for seventeen hours succeeding the combat
continued unceasing; it was ray fortune also to be a-
raong those who repelled the last desperate attack of
the .Mexicans in which we drove ofl their infantry
and encountered and dispersed their cavalry. I nev-
er raised my gun without thinking of the indignities
I formerly suffered in this country and you be assur-
ed that I wasted no powder by long shooting.
Melancholy as is my fate I have of late years
learned philosophy in a hard school and can submit
to the severe vicissitudes of life with liule murmur-
ing. Although from my previous relations with this
country ray condition is more perilous and uncertain
than that of my companions I believe it affects my
spirits far less seriously. We leave this place to-
morrow for Mexico and in consequence of the
apprehensions entertained by the Mexicans that we
will make an eflbrt at our liberation the escort will
oe a s:rong one under the command nf Canal.
We contemplate making an effort for our escape bo-
fore we leave here many days it will be against
fearful odds but I have no doubt of our success if
the matter is conducted properly. The peculiarity
of my own situation and choice also will place me
in the front rank in an unarmed charge upon Mexi-
can bayonets. Although I feel confident in the suc-
cess of the enterprise if conducted properly yet still
I have occasionally a presentment that my career
is shortly to be closed. If under the circumstan-
ces our men cannot be brought to the fighting
point -I shall resort to some other means of releas-
ing myself from this painful thraldom. Be it as il
may I am determined not again to appear in Mexico
as a prisoner.
Let my fate be what it may however I shall-
meet it with unshrinking nerves and a steadv nub.
The courage that animated me in our late bloody
conflict will sustain me in a mareitill desperate en
and I have now become more fearless-of aesth.
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De Morse, Charles. The Northern Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 38, Ed. 1, Thursday, June 8, 1843, newspaper, June 8, 1843; Clarksville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80487/m1/1/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.