spot. The discharge of fire arms and the noise of human voices now became commingled. The Mexican soldiers fired from their quarters and the blaze of their guns served as targets for the colonist rifclcmcn. The garrison were called to surrender, and the call was translalccl by a gentleman present who spoke the language. They asked for terms. The interpreter now became the chief speaker. "No." answered he. "They say they will massacre every one of you, unless you come out immediately and surrender. Come out- come out quick. l cannot keep them back-come out if you wish lo save your lives-I can keep them back no longer." "O, do for God's sake keep them back," answered the Mexicans in their own language-"we will come out and surrender immediately"-and they rushed out with all possible speed and laid down their arms. And thus was the fort of Goliad taken-a fort which, with a garrison of three hundred and fifty patriots in the war of 1812-13, withstood a siege of an army of more than two thousand Spanish troops and forced them to retire-discomfitted. Al the capture of the fort three Mexican soldiers were killed and seven wounded, and one colonel, one captain, one lieutenant, with twenty-one petty officers and privates were made prisoners- others of the garrison escaped in the dark and fled. In the fort were found two pieces of brass cannon, 500 muskets and carbines, 600 spears with ammunition and provisions. One of the colonists was wounded in the shoulder. Col. Milam assisted in the capture of the fort, and then he spoke: "I assisted Mexico lo gain her independence; I have spent more than twenty years of my life; I have endured heat and cold, hunger and thirst; I have borne losses and suffered persecutions; I have been a tenant of every prison between this and l\lcxico-but the events of this night have compensated me for all my losses and all my sufferings." The colonists were commanded by George M. Collinsworth -but it would be difficult to find in the company a man not qualified for the command. Goliad is of vastly more importance in a military point of view than Bexar, as the lal ter is in a valley upon the banks of the river and commanded by the hills on each side-and is therefore indefensible. The main army under colonel Austin marched from Gon~ales 011 the 13th inst. against Bexar. When provoked, there is in colonel Austin the courage of
I
I
195
Powered by FlippingBook