The First Republic of Texas
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hurried out of the defenseless city, carrying their worldly possessions to the safety of the Louisiana frontier. Old settlers like the Delgados, the Arochas, the Leales, and many others joined the fugitives in the mad scramble. The Republic of Texas was no more. Hardly had the fugitives left before the thundering hoofs of the 200 men sent in pursuit under Elizondo echoed through the deserted streets. Next day saw hundreds of civilians thrown into prison as preparations for the triumphant entry of the hero of Medina were completed. The victori- ous army marched into the. city on August 21. On their knees, the de-- jected populace received the victors. More suspects were arrested; many already in prison were ordered shot; group executions occurred daily. The wrath of Arredondo reached out to the families of those who had escaped, as well as to the widows and orphans of the fallen. Wives and daughters of rebels were ·herded into an inclosure called La Q,1inta and put to work grinding corn and making tortillas for the victors. In this fashion they toiled from early morn until late at night for fifty-four days. Dolorosa (Sorrowful) Street commemorates today the location of the prison and the road of e.x-piation traveled by innocent victims of Arredondo's blind fury. The day after his triumphant entry he paid public homage to the martyred Governor Salcedo, Colonel Herrera, and the other officers who were executed by the rebels. Their bodies were exhumed and reburied with great solemnity in the Cathedral. He then sent to Viceroy Calleja all the papers of the short-lived Republic which he found, among them a map of Matagorda Bay by an Anglo-American surveyor and a copy of the seal used on official papers. 63 Elizondo's marcle to East Texas. Anxious that no rebel escape, Ar- redondo on August 21 ordered Elizondo to take up the pursuit of fugitives with a select group of 500 mounted men. He was to rid the country of rebels as far as Nacogdoches. Elizondo set out at once, and by forced marches reached the_Colorado in three days. Leaving half of his force to recuperate, he hurried on to the Brazos. En route he captured nineteen men, women, and children, ordered four shot, and leaving a guard of eight at the Brazos crossing to await the arrival of those on the Colorado, he went on to the Trinity. An advance picket sent to reconnoitre the ap- proach to Trinidad took a band of prisoners, among them Antonio Del- 63 Arredondo to Viceroy Calleja, Bexar, September 13, 1813, in ibid., IV, 126, 141. The map is probably the first of Matagorda Bay made by an American and should prove of interest if ever found. The seal of the first Republic of Texas is repro- duced on the opposite page.
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