442
TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
present attempt of his Majesty to ·do so, was resisted by that body as a dangerous usurpation. . These pacific endeavors to obtain a foot-hold in those fair and for- bidden regions, having totally failed, an opportunity occurred finally of seekiµg admission duly by the sword. The Mexican Revolution, which broke out shortly after the planting of Joseph Bonaparte upon the throne of Spain, was progressing slowly, with many reverses, when Bernardo Gutierez de Lara made his appearance in the United States, seeking succor and assistance for his afflicted country. His appeal to the American people was not in vain. He was soon joined by McGehee, Perry, Kemper, Ross Lucket and many other of the bravest and most g!:!nerous spirits that ever rallied to the call of freedom. In a short time, there was collected on the banks of the Sabine a small force- about two hundred men-with Gutierez for their nominal and McGehee for their actual leader. Their first move was to to [sic] Nacogdoches, driving Zanbrannon before them, and taking quiet possession of the place. From this point they proceeded to the Trinity, where they halted awhile for the purpose of increasing their strength and obtain- ing additional supplies. By the 25th of August 1812 they were pre- pared to take up the line of march. Their force consisted of three hundred Americans, and about one hundred and fifty Mexicans and Cochattee Indians, making in the whole four hundred and fifty men, all told. Instead of proceeding directly to Bexar, the capital of the province, they diverged to the ancient town of La Bahia, now called Goliad, which they reached without opposition and captured without difficulty. In a few days the place was besieged by Solcedo and Her- rera at the head of fifteen hundred men. Daily conflicts ensued, ·in all of which the Royalists were uniformly worsted. These conflicts continued until Salsedo was so reduced that he was forced to raise the siege and retreat to Bexar. Here he was reinforced; and with a fresh army well provided with artillery he marched to the Salado, for the purpose of repelling the Americans, who by this time had abandoned La Bahia and was on their march for Sanantonio. A battle ensued between the parties; which resulted in the todal [sic] defeat and loss of every thing on the part of the Royalists. The victoriqus patriots soon made their appearance before the town of San Antonio. 'l'he place · capitulated without a struggle; and the Revolutionary authority was fully established. in the Capital. 'l'here was, however, but a brief in- terval of repose. With wonderful rapidity another formidable army was raised by the Royalists, and appeared in the field under the com- mand of Elisondo. He was met at the Alizan. 'l'he Battle which fol- lowed, resulted as all the preceeding ones-iU: a glorious triumph of the patriot arms. The victory was complete. Elisondo himself escaped with a small party leaving four hundred of his men dead in the field and the balance scattered or captured. Notwithstanding all these ter- rible reverses and cligasters, the King's party was not clisposecl to give up the contest. Tidings were soon received in Sanantonio that Ara- dondo, was advancing with an army, Eight thousand strong. Prepara- tions were made to receive him. Bnt McGehee in the meantime, had died, Kemper, Lucket and others had left, and Bernardo Guiterez had been deposed on account of an act of bloody arnl vindictive retaliation upon the foe, ancl Toledo appointed in his place. This new commander
Powered by FlippingBook