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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
confusion; from which, however, they soon recovered, and pushing for- ward with a rapid march, formed on a commanding eminence in full view of their antagonists. The Americans were already displayed before of the Fort in battle-array waiting their approach and eager for the contest. Before the battle commenced, however, a circumstance oc- curred which deprived the Spanish leader of the use of his heavy artil- lery. Having already dispatched a detachment of sixty men against ~'-Francis & Monchaca, he ordered the artillery to play upon the rear of the fort whilst he, himself should engage the Americans in front of it. Such being his plan, the action was delayed a few minutes until the artillery corpse should reach its destination. As it drew near the fort and was about to assume its position for assault, the company was almost entirely destroyed by a party of sharp shooters who had been placed in the entrenchments for their special reception. Exasperated at this unexpected reverse, Herrere advancd with an impatient Zeal for battle for battle [sic], which being fully reciprocated by his ad- versary a sanguinary conflict ensued in which both parties looked for- ward with equal hopes of victory; the royalists deriving confidence from their superior numbers, and the patriots inspired by conscious valor and the justice of their cause. 'l'he conflict was bloody and protracted, and was maintained on the part of the Spaniards with a firmness and an obstinacy which had not hitherto characterised their warfare ; but the Americans whose prowess and courage always rise with the occas10n, sustained themselves with a skill and coolness which no zeal or activity of the enemy could baffle or disconcert. Whilst the field was thus warmly contested by the main body of the two armies, another action was going on in different quarter, with fewer numbers engaged, but with equal spirit and animation. The company of Francis and Mon- chaca, (which was now under the command of Captain Gomley) and the detachment which Herrere had dispatched against it, encountered each other at a certain log house which both parties were desirous to occupy as a fortification.-Gomley was the first to get possession; but after a long and fierce assault was dislodged, with four of his followers slightly wounded; But rallying his men immediately he turned upon his assailant, and dealing deeper wounds than those received, he was equally successful in expelling him. Each of these assault consumed at least an hour; during which time the Royalists recd a reinforcement, and coming to the charge again with new vigor, dispossessed the Amer- icans a second time. But Gomley, who was neither slow nor feeble in his retaliations, reassaulted the citadel with an energy and a long con- tinued violence which not only drove the enemy thence, but forced him to retire altogether from the contest. Gomley followed up his victory, and pushing the retreating troops to a deep ravine which they were unable to cross, they threw down their arms and surrendered, sixty in number, to the gallant captain's thirty-six. As Gomley was about to march his prisoners to the disputed cabbin, a loud huzza was heard in the direction of the fort. It was the shout of victory. Her- rere, & his whole force was flying before the triumphant arms of the Americans. The vanquished leader had maintained his ground for five full hours with unwonted gallantry; but on beholding so many of his own men falling around him, and the ranks of the Americans still un- thinned and their ardor unabated, he attempted to bear down, and
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