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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
noticed. and from the captain's not returning as soon as expected, it wa-s ~oncluded that he had determined to tarry the night with Critchfield• and nothing further was thought of his absence.-The transaction~ of the night, were not known until some time after- wards.-About day-break the next morning, the report of a musket which was fired by the flames of Critchfield 's dwelling, gave •the first intimation tha-t the foe had been near. Thus came and departed a bloody and vindictive enemy, unobserved and unresisted, for the want of proper vigilance and discipline in the American qamp. TI:e faul~, however, was not with Genl. Long; for after crossmg the river his authority ceased; and the people, all being much fatigued, and feeling secure on the east side of the Sabine, were unwilling to encounter the onerous duty of keeping up guard, when, in their opinion, there was no necessity for it.-Notwithstanding the severe wound and in- tolerable sufferings of Captain Wormsley, he was forced to proceed with the other prisoners. They were all marched off in triumph to Nacogdoches. When in the vicinity of this place, Mrs. Critchfield and her daughters were mounted on mules, with their faces directed to the rear; while the. old gentleman himself was tied to the tail of one of the animals; and in this manner they were paraded through the town in contempt and derision of the American people. So, at least, we have heard; but cannot vouch for the fact. Perez, however, was doomed to a slight mortification in the midst of his vandalic career. Very soon after his return from the Sabine, proud of his achievements and exulting over the misfortunes of his prisoners, he was unexpectedly presented with a letter from the mili- tary authorities at Fort Jesup, demanding the release of certain cap- tives who were not connected with the operations of General Long. Full of his own importance; and anxious to have the credit at home of having treated the demand with becoming contempt, he told the bea,rer of the despatch, with a supercilious air, that he might say to the American Commander, that as soon as he, Perez, arrived at his camp on the Trinity, he would examine into the conduct of the persons referred to, and determine accordingly. These are his own words aecording to the translation. The answer, however, was not satisfac- tory to the authorities beyond the Sabine, and a second demand was made ;-but made in a manner which allowed of no reply except the imtantancous dismissal of the prisoners. They were set at liberty accordingly-eighteen in number-and the redoubtable Perez felt him- self under the necessity of making a long apology to his government for having compromised its dignity on the occasion,-The unfortunate families thus released, returned to the United States houseless and homeless; and as far as our knowledge extends witho~t ever obtain- ing any remuneration or redress for their pl~ndered property and violated rights. · As soon as the flames of Critchfield's dwelling were discovered Genl. Long, with a small party went in prompt pursuit of the re: treating enemy; but not being able to overtake him, he returned to the encampment, and moved with his ladv and Mrs Walker for the Red-River. That night Mrs Long received intelligence of the death
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