151
PAPERS OF MmABE.A.U BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
interior, all having been sent him that Could be spared then from that quarter. Ross had now arrived with some few men; Masicot a frenchman from N. 0. brought also a small party; a company of the Cochattee Indians, mixed with Bedi Towakanays & Lepans, all amounting to upwards of 100; none of whom were any account except the Cochattees who fought bravely & suffered much. An old man 70 years old, native Bexar, named Baca, came to Labahia with four or five thousand dol- lars, which he gave to the cause and which was divided among the troops. He was made Govr. Labahia, and remained there for a while after Kemper left. Things being all arranged, Kemper now took up the march for Bexar.- Solcedo hearing of the movemt, sent Herrera with 3000 men to meet him. Herrera stopped [at] a stream called Rosio, occupy- ing the water. Kemper advanced; the forces met and the fight was opened by a personal conflict between Ross and a Col. Montero; the latter seemed to banter ross for a fight; Ross advanced and they slashed away upon each other-with their sabres, and in their furious charge upon each other, as l\fontero's horse passed the other Montero was shot down The general action now commenced; it was brief but verry bloody; and resulted in the total flight of the Spanish force, and the capture of all their arms, amunition and numerous cavayard. The enemy fled in great disorder to Bexar; and Kemper continued his march to the first Mission, where he halted & encamped.- Here he remained only one night; and marched 10 oclk next day for Bexar; but before starting, the man who had deserted at Labahia, came into camp and desired to rejoin his comrads, but there was a general clamor against him; some calling out to Shoot him, & others to hang him. Kemper put it vote, and the majority was for his execution; he was hung accordingly just as the line of march was taken up.- Marched to the nearest mission to Bexar, tarried that night & next day; troops from 'Bexar occasionally deserting and coming to the Americans- Some of the Mexican officers went out reconnating & captured a large cavayard 500 horses & mules & few prisoners.- Arriving on the suburbs of Santonia, Capt. McFarlan was sent into the town to demand its surrender. Solcedo expressed a willingness to surrender to the Americans but not to the Mexicans. The negocia- tions being completed, the Americans entered the town, and Salcedo, Herrera and the principal men of the place ..................... . with, as he and the Mexicans might deem just; but his wishes being still resisted, he finally took possession of · the prisone:r:s by virtue of his authority as Commander in Chief, and partly by stealth, without the Americ;ms knowing it, and ordered them 14 in number to be taken to the Rosillo where the last fight had been, and have their throats cut. The bloody work was done, (the executioner being the Delgado who had joined the Americans)- On the hearing of the deed the Americans rose en mas against Ber- nardo execrated him, some resigning their Commissions & going home, and all threatning to do the same.- Kemper no[w] obtained permission to return to the United States,
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