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TEX.AS STATE LIBRARY
reoccupied by the enemy; but every day the guard came and recon- noitered the place and retired at night. This continued for some time, until at length the americans, hiding qehind a brush fence, and they had done on a previous occasion, assaulted them capturing and •killing a few & putting them to flight. Salcedo seeing this called out his entire force and marchalled them for battle; the Americans equally prompt, sallied from the fort to meet them. A general action now ensued in an open plain. It commenced very early in the morning, when it was foggy; and continued until after twelve oclk.- In the beginning, the Americans captured a piece of the enemy's artillery; but was forced soon to give it up, by the enemy's cavalry. The con- test was obstinate and bloody; the 'Americans yielded nothing; the spaniards began to fall under the rifles so fast, that a slight giving way was perceived in the lines of the enemy. Artillery on both sides was actively employed. The Americans, seeing this agitation, pressed forward; the enemy gradually gave way, yet still continued obstinately to fight. The Citizens of the town, perceiving the advance of the Americans, and being pleased with their success commenced ringing the Bells and sending up rockets. This dampened the ardor of the Spaniards. They began to retire; and the Americans pressed upon them.- The party fighting about the house which had been occupied as an outpost, was forced to a deep revine wherein they leaped; from which there was but one point of escape; and at that point they were met by the Americans and forced to surrender- The alarm in the ranks of the enemy now becanie general; and Salcedo retired precipi- tately, yielding the field to the victorious Americans. The loss of Salcedo was great; that of the Americans but few. About 150 prison- ers were taken who consented to join the Revolucion party, & by An- tonio Flores was sworn to support the cause- They were organized into three companies-commanded by Magill Monchaca, Antonio Delgado, (the man who had deserted from the enemy) and Juan Sava. The Americans had had bad music; in this fight they captured several drums & musicians; so that the next morning SolGedo was awakened by a Mexican Revellee from the American Garrison.- Solcedo, tho' beaten did not leave the place, but retired to his former quarters, and' evinced no further sign of fight. Monchaca Del- gado & Sava h'arrassed his spies every night; killing and capturing maney. His soldiers too began to desert, some flying to ·Bexar and many coming over to the Americans, so-that in a short time the Mex- ican force with Bernardo amounted to about 400 and the Americans probably 300-These things greatly dispirited Salcedo; and his army becoming generally disaffected, he raised his camp, set fire to the grass tents of the soldiers and took up the line of march for Bexar. He was followed by Monchaca, & some americans, who cut off their bag- gage in the rear and brought it safely to Labahia; among which was wine, mescal and other liquors, which afforded the garrison an op- portunity of getting lordly drunk. Solcedo reached Bexar without further molestation. Constant communication was kept up between Labahia & Bexar by means of the mexican troops; so that :J{emper was always fully apprized of what were the enemy's strength & de- signs.- Solcedo had no hope of any speedy reinforcements from the
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