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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
I sels, and told them that matters were rendered desperate by this treason of Malina and Lopez, and that they must now look to their own safety-to remain could not save the Americans, and it would only insure the destruction of all. The foe was too strong to be re- sisted, and flight became indispensible as well as right. He lead and his men followed. He broke over the mountains, and was soon out o·f sight. The Americans were now left to their fate, betrayed by one party and abandoned by the other. They were, however, still un- daunted; and waited the enemie's movement. They were tardy in com- ing. Jordan said damn them we can whip, as few as we are, and I will meet them ha1f way; and accordingly moved forwd about half miles, leaving his horses behind in a Coral ,vith a small guard. The enemy now made a move; and their effort was to cut the Americans off from their horses by secretly falling into a deep ravine, which the Americans had just crossed and which lay between them and their horses. Capt. Newcomb, however, who had been placed with a few men at this ravine discovered the design of the enemy and gave notice in time for the Americans to fly back to their horses, before the ad- vancing cavalry in the ravine could overtake them. In retreating to their horses, they were pursued & fired upon by the Cavalry; but Jordan gave no shot in return, save some few scattering ones, until he got to his horses, when his men wheeled to the right about and gave the Cavalry a full fire, which caused them to scatter and fall back.- In a short time the whole force of the Enemy came up, and a severe and constant fire was kept up, the Americans with their rifles and a few muskets, and the enemy with Infantry, cavalry and artillery. The :fight lasted from ½ past 2 Oclk, to nearly sun set; when the enemy retired, and left the field to the Americans who availed them- selves of the chance to saddle -their horses and prefer a retreat. It was now nearly dark- Capt. Larri discovered the Enemy planting a cannon in the pass through which they had to make their escape. This determined Jordan to climb the mountain itself instead of at- tempting the pass- The task was a difficult one; and being discov- ered by the Enemy he was fire.d upon, at every step, by the foe from the mountain on the other side of the pass, and when he finally crossed the brow of the mountain and descended into the valley, he was charged by 400 Cavalry placed there for his interception. His men dismounted, and when the enemy was within 20 paces, he opened an effective fire upon them which saved him from any further anoyance by them. He encamped that night in 2½ miles of the enemy; his men exhausted with fatigue- Having no pilot & being ignorant of the country, he wandered 4 days among the mountains, meeting ,vith some small ranches where he procured supplies; and after the fourth day found himself onl_y 15 miles from Saltillio-- He procured a mexi- can to conduct him into the Monclover road, which he followed it one or two days, when he was seen by some of Gonzales men who had been stationed on a mountain to watch for such of Jordan's men as might escape, and corn1uct them to him. His guides struck for Gandala; but had gone only some 5 or 6 miles, when Jordan discovered a force in his rare [rear J. He halted for battle. The Enemy halted also;
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