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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
them as long as it was possible'; but the fierce vengeance of the natives was inappesable and uncontrolable. Partly by force and partly by stratigem the prisoners were taken out of the custody of the Americans; and on the ensuing morning the deep red of a neighboring rivulet proclaimed their meloncholly fate. Shocked at the atrocious transaction, many of the Americans abandoned the <muse, and returned to the United States. Those who still continued in the service, deposed the ferocious Bernardo of the chief command, and elected in his place, a spaniard from Cuba by the name of Jose .Alvarez de Toledo. In the mean while, the Royalists had marshalled a more formidable force than ever under the command of the bloody Arredondo, who was now rapidly advancing upon San Antonio. The new commander went forth to meet the approaching foe. The battle ensued on the western side of the Medina. It was the blood- iest and the last. Scarcely an American escaped to tell the story of their defeat. Those who did not fall in the action, were pursued by the traitor Elisondo, and butchered in their flight. The road was ·strewn with human bones from Medina to the Trinity. Thus termi- nated this extraordinary campaign; and thus perished in the holy ,cause of liberty, the most indomitable and self-sacrifising heroes that ever sallied to combat.-In spite of their misfortunes, their -career of glory was not without its utility; for it had the happy effect of paralyizing the Royalists in the interior, and at the same time of inspiring the patriots with fresh hopes and to higher exertions.- But for the American arms in Texas, the formidable forces which were brought against them and destroyed by them, would have been turned like hell-hounds against other sections of the country, and might have changed the whole current of the Revolution.- After the disastrous battle of Medina, which took place on the 18th day of August 1813, the country lapsed into its former condi- tion. The native inhabitants could do nothnig without the aid of American valor; and the Royalists having no longer anything to apprehend from this source, resumed their wanton despotism, and ruled the Province with an iron hand. ]Hatters thus continued without much interruption until 1819, when the war was renued by the subject of our present sk.etch. He was invited to the enter- prise by the citizens of Natches. The inhabitants of this place, .animated by a noble enthusiasm in favor of the cause of Liberty, resolved to make one more effort to destroy the merciless domination of Spain in that beautiful and outraged land, and to plant upon its soil the broad banner of freedom, happiness and Independence. A public meeting was accordingly held, and arrangements were enter- ed into for al¼ immediate and vigorous possession of the country. General Adair was to have been the leader of the expedition; but from some cause unknown to us, he declined the proffered ·honor, and the command was tendered to General Long; who nothing in- timidated by the misfortunes of his gallant predecessors, accepted the responsibility with pride and pleasure, and entered at once upon the duties of the station with his chara-cteristic energy & enthu- :siasm. The activity, zeal and valor of General Long as well as his
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