PAPERS OF lVIIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR 69 of her infant. This amiable and excellent lady seemed doomed to every variety of trials and vicisitudes. On reaching Natchitoches, she found her trunk and other effects in the custody of the Sheriff. But no misfortunes-neither affliction, poverty nor insult, could shake her high and lofty nature. She encountered every trial with dignity and fortitude; and never failed in adversity as in prosperity, to extort admiration and respect by the strength of her principles and .the magnanimity of her deportment.-lTaking an affectionate leave of her husband at Natchitoches, she proceeded in company with lVIr Alexander Pannell to her sister Calvart 's; where she arrived in the early part of November, a little more than four months from the date of her departure from Natchez. General Long himself returned to Texas with all possible dispatch by the way of Culcasiu [Calcasieu] and thence to Bolivar Point, the designated place of rendezvous in diaster. Here he collected the scattered fragments of his ruined forces, &nd learned from them the sorrowful tidings of their discomfitures and sufferings. The story ·was a brief one. He was told that Johnson(as we have already stated) had been defeated on the Navosoto. Ten of his men, who were on a. hunting excursion under Lieutenant Campbell, were surprised on the eleventh of October and made prisoners. After his defeat, John- son and six of his men joined 'N alker on the Brazos; the enemy being in close pursuit of them. On the next day-the 15th of October-the post was attacked by the adva,riced guard o fthe invaders. They were easily repelled; but about 11 o'clock, the main body of tp.e enemy, three hundred and fifty strong, made their appearance; and after a brisk round or two, the Americans were forced to fly, leaving behind their entire stores. They fled destitute of every thing; and fearing pursuit, left the highway and struck through the woods foi, the Cochatteei Village. The victorious army, in the meantime, marched with rapid pace to the Upper Crossing of the Trinity, where they met with a bold and desperate resistence from the gallant and en- treped David Long. ''('hough valor was of no avail, he scorned to fly. His ·horse was seized at the beginning of the fight by one of his own men-a recreant villian-who, mounting the noble animal dashed off, and made his escape, leaving Long on foot, with no weapon for defense except his sword; which he continued to use most heroically and effectually, long after every one of his band had deserted the field; Surrounded by the enemy, yet unsubdued and undimayed, a musket was present(ld to his temples, and he ordered to surrender. "Fire and be d--<l"-exclaimed the inconquerable youth; and in an instant he lay lifeles·s on the plain. He had purchased and herded nearlv three hundred horses and mules, all of which, together with a large·quantity of goods, fell into the hands of the enemy. Such is the traditionarv account of this extraordinary youth; whose valor, it is said, was the wonder and admiration of the Spanish camp.- Tidings .of this defeat reaching Nacogdaches, Cook and his men broke for the Sabine, as if they were competing for the Stadium Crown. ·walker and Johnson, who-Pcfter their defeat upon the N"avosoto & Brazos-were aiming for the Cochattee Villages, being indifferent woodsmen, became entangled and bewildered in the forests;
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