[1792) [JONES to JONES J
Near Cahawba, Ala., 15th Jan. 1836. Dear Brother:-Ihave just arrivecl at this place, direct from San Antonio, Texas, and some few particulars in relation to the storming and capture of that place may not be altogether uninteresting to you. History does not record a circumstance of the same nature, and perhaps never will another. The Texian troops had been encamped before San Antonio near two months without effecting any thing of importance, save daily skirmishing in which nothing was lost and little gained. (I must however make an exception to the battle of Conception in which Col. James W. Fannin commanded 92 men when surprised by 400 Mexicans, who lost as has since been ascertained 104 killed, and sice dies of wounds, while the Texian loss was one man killed only.) The Mexicans had 24 pieces of mounted artillary and 6 unmounted when the attack was made, which was brought on in the following manner: After giving them two months to fortify the · Texian officers decided that it was impracticable and impossible to carry the fort by storm, and had issued orders for the whole army to march at sundown, with the intention of taking up winter quarters at La Bahia 100 miles to the Southward and near the coast. It was then about four o'clock, and from the noise in the camp it was apparent that a mutiny was on hand. At the time appointed to move, 300 men marched out and declared their intention of storming the fort that night. Many of the officers made speeches against the project, friends begged and extreated others not to throw away their lives foolishly, &c &c.- All was in vain; no persuasion had any weight; a great many mounted their horses and left the Camp, expecting a total defeat.- Next morning just at daylight the three hundred firm to their purpose marched to the attack headed by Col. Benjamin R. Milan who had been the principal in bringing about this manoevre. The action was severe until about ten o'clock; the Texians succeeded in getting possession of some large stone houses in which they remained four days keeping up a steady fire day and night. On the fifth niaht an assault was made on the fort itself, and they succeeded i~ driving the enemy therefrom and from the whole town with a very considera- ble loss, while the Texian loss was 4 killed and 15 wounded.- Among the killed was Col. Milan whose loss is severely felt
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