Texas Almanac, 1859 Page: 57

TEXAS REVOLUTION. D
prisoners. With pencil and paper I entered the lines, and stated in a loud
voice what I wanted, requesting the officers to fall into line, according to grade.
Not understanding me fully, I observed that many turned pale, while others hesi-
tatod and feared, being well apprised, doubtless, of the fate that would have
awaited us had we been taken prisoners. I soon found difficulty in making out
my list, owing to the eagerness among our men to see General Cos, who had just
been brought in a prisoner. It was difficult for the sentinels to keep the crowd
away. One would say he had seen Cos in San Antonio last fall. Another: "Why,
he is but a damned scrub of a thing, after all," etc. Finally, he became impatient
under so many jeers, and begging a blanket, he covered his head and laid down
to await his fate. At last I assured them all that their lives were safe so long as
they would remain quiet, and having made them understand my object, they
readily obeyed my directions. With the aid of two or three officers I soon com-
pleted the list. The number of officers, ranking from a lieutenant to a general,
was forty-nine, without including Cos, who made just fifty, and the number of
wounded prisoners was 280 privates.
Dr. Ewing then called on me to know if I would attend upon the wounded
prisoners; but I declined. The same application was made by Dr. Bomer, Dr.
Anson Jones, Colonel Hockley, and others, to all of whom I gave the same
answer. The fact was, I had not only performed my duties in my own regiment,
but had often done the duties of others, and these labors I was no longer willing
to perform. For three days the prisoners were suffering for surgical aid, and
finally, Houston sent for me a second time. "Dr. Labadie," said he, "every one
points you out as the only surgeon willing to perform your duty. I want you to
take care of the wounded prisoners. Go to them; don't let them suffer." I told
him I had attended on the garrison at Anahuac eleven months, day and night, for
which I had never received one cent, through the rascality of Bradburn, and that
I had resolved never to attend on that nation again, unless my pay was secured
to me. Houston then promised he would pay me $300, if I would attend upon
these prisoners, to which I agreed, in the presence of Col. Hockley, Dr. A. Jones,
and four or five others, and I faithfully discharged that duty, but have never yet
received the first cent of the promised compensation.
SANTA ANNA BROUGHT IN PRISONER.
Whilst I was laboriously occupied in dressing the wounds of the prisoners, (I
think it was the third day after the battle,) Mr. Sylvester, a young printer, who had
come out with Col. Sherman from Cincinnati, rode up with his rifle on his left
shoulder, and conducting a prisoner. I was then engaged in dressing the arm of a
lieutenant near the west line of the square in which the prisoners were confined.
The sentinel, as usual, was about admitting the prisoner, who refused to come in:
whereupon Mr. Sylvester called to me: " Dr. Labadie, what does this man want ?"
He desired me to interpret for his prisoner, and so I arose, and addressing the man,
I told him in Spanish, this was the place where all the prisoners were kept. He
replied that he wanted to see Gen. Houston. "Is he in camp ?" said he. "Yes,"
I replied, "-Mr. Sylvester, take this man to yonder oak-tree, (pointing towards the
bayou,) where Gen. Houston lies." As they left, I observed that all the Mexican
officers arose at once, and my little wounded lieutenant whispered to me: "Est El
Presidente"-he is the President. At once I folded up my instruments, and followed
after them, and met Col. Hockley calling me to come quickly, as I was wanted.
Having arrived at the spot, I found Houston lying on his back, and on his left
was the prisoner, sitting on a chest. He politely returned my salute, and I said to
him, pointing: "1 This is Gen. Houston: do you want any thing of him?" He re-
plied: "Tell Gen. Houston, that Gen. Santa Anna stands before him, a prisoner."
Houston, having heard the words interpreted, appeared much surprised, and turn-
ing on his left side, he said: " Gen. Santa Anna, in what condition do you sur-
render yourself?" "A prisoner of war," said he, and continued: " Whilst I was in