Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas Page: 354 of 372
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288
BIO G APHICAL
mained at my father's two or three
which he departetd for his home in
where he soon afterward died'weeks, after
Nacogdoches,ONG JAMES was born in Virginia, and at
an early age removed to Kentucky, and
thence to Tennessee; was a native of the
county of Culpeper, in the Old Domninion,
and was either nephew or grand-son to the! celebrated
General Long, who was during the Revolutionary
war one of the renowned captains of Morgan.
He was a merchant at fifteen; but being illy
qualified for such pursuits, soon failed in business,
and then acted as clerk in his father's store for
two years, during which time he saved by great
economy six hundred dollars, with which he educated
himself, and afterward studied medicine under Dr.
Holland of Tennessee. From the shop he entered
the army; was a great favorite of General Jackson,
who used to call him his young lion. He was attached
to the medical staff of Carroll's brigade, and
distinguished himself in the battle of New Orleans.
After this memorable victory, Carroll and Coffee
being ordered to Natches, Long accompanied them
in his official character; and it was at this place in
attendance upon an invalid soldier at Mr, Calvert's,
that he fell under the observation of the negro girl
whose favorable report of his personal appearance
had led to such an unexpected and happy result.
On the third day of his marriage, having first resigned
his station in the medical staff, he left Natches on
a travelling excursion; and after the lapse of two
months, settled at Fort Gibson, pursuing his profession
for a short time, when at the earnest entreaties
of his wife, he abandoned the practice of
medicine altogether, and purchased a plantation
near the Walnut Hills, in Warren county. He subsequently
owned the tract on which the city of
Vicksburg is located. He soon however disposed
of his farm and commenced merchandising in
Natches, where he continued in business for two
years, when he was called to other objects more
congenial to his enterprising and martial feelings.
Lolng was by nature a soldier, and had always
sighed after a proper field for the indulgence of
his military spirit.
From the disastrous overthrow of the patriotic
army at the battle of Medina in 1813, the revolutionary
spirit in Texas had pretty well subsided.
The insurgents seemed effectually quelled, and but
for the valor of Anglo-Americans, they would havelong groaned under the yoke of Spanish cruelty
and despotism. The reign of tyranny, however,
was not permitted to continue undisturbed. The
citizens of Natches, with a noble enthusiasm, resolved
to make one more effort in behalf of the
liberties of that oppressed and bleeding province.
A meeting was accordingly held by the inhabitants
of that place, and arrangements entered into for
an immediate and vigorous assault upon the country.
General Adair, of Kentucky, was to have
been the leader of the expedition; but from sonme
cause unknown to us, he declined the proffered
honor, and the command was tendered to General
Long, who, nothing intimidated by the misfortunes
of his gallant predecessors, who had figured so.
heroically but unavailingly in the cause of Texan
independence, accepted the responsibility with
pride and pleasure, and entered at once upon the
duties of the station with his characteristic energy
and enthusiasm. His activity and zeal, as well as
his acknowledged military talents, soon rendered
the project quite popular. H-e pledged the whole
of his private fortune in the enterprise, in which
he was joined by some of the choicest spirits of
the day. With the best wishes for his welfare,
he left Natches with about seventy-five of the most
hardy and intrepid followers, on the 17th of June,1819. As he pushed from the shore, a shot from
the cannon was fired to his success. It was evident,
however, that an expedition so publicly gotten
up and openly conducted, could not be permitted
to pass off without the notice of the government.
Attempts were accordingly made by the proper
authorities to arrest the leader; but the officers not
being over-active and vigilant, their efforts were
easily eluded, and Gederal Long moved off in triumph
with his Spartan band, awakening the spirit
ef war in his march, and gathering strength as he
moved along. He pushed for Nathitchihes, where
he had means of his own, and many friends;
thence to the Sabine and on to Nacogdoches,
where in a short time after bis arrival he was able
to muster about three hundred strong.
Long's designs were by many either misunderstood
or misrepresented. Even some of his own
followers looked upon the project as one which was
entered upon merely because of its perils, and the
individual glory to which it might lead. But such
a view is not only unjust to the intellect and principles
of the gallant leader, but it reflects discredit
upon some of the purest and most distinguished
citizens of Louisiana and Mississippi. The expedition.
was founded in neither private speculation
nor a desire of personal aggrandizement. It was
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas (Book)
Biographical view of Texas and its history including narratives of the individuals who helped shape Texas history and information about important point in history including: the pioneer days of Texas, Texas' transition from a Mexican state to being part of the United States, and the wars in which Texas citizens took part.
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas, book, 1880; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5827/m1/354/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.