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Our Catlwuc Heritage in Texas
gado, one of the leaders in the execution of Governor Salcedo and his men. He was shot on the spot and left in the field; the others were taken back to Elizondo. Unable to cross the Trinity because of high water, he established a temporary camp on the edge of a prairie, some two leagues west of the river, where the roads from San Antonio and La Bahia to Trinidad and Nacogdoches meet. Elizondo reported jubilantly that the location proved ideal to apprehend fugitives coming by either road and that not one had escaped him. He sent a detachment of 40 men to cross the Trinity at Barr's crossing above Trinidad and cut off the fugitives heading for Nacogdoches, but it was repulsed by a band of Xaraname Indians. He next attempted a cross- ing at El Salto (The Falls), and again failed. After the flood had sub- sided, he led 50 men in an attack on Trinidad to take the city by sur- prise. Elizondo found it deserted except for a few loyal families. On September 2, 1813, he reported that he had captured several hundred prisoners, including the wounded-27 officers and soldiers and 31 civilians -among whom were some of those responsible for the murderous execu- tion of Governor Salcedo and his companions. He had pardoned 17 soldiers and 19 civilians. With pride he recounted how he had taken more than 1 50 head of cattle, 200 horses and mules, 500 pesos in specie which belonged to the traitor Davenport, and a considerable amount of anns and equipment." It is interesting to note that Elizondo was incredibly lenient with fili- buster prisoners. While at Trinidad, he pardoned nine Anglo-Ameri- cans," warned them against taking part in another uprising, and sent them to Nacogdoches with instructions to help seize Toledo, who was reported there. They, like three residents of Trinidad previously sent for the same purpose, betrayed his confidence and helped Toledo and others in Nacog- doches to make good their escape. Elizondo decided on September 5 to march in person to Nacogdoches to capture Toledo and the remnants of his force. When he reached a site called Remudadero (Remount), he was met by a messenger with the in- formation that only three families remained in Nacogdoches, for Toledo and his friends had just fled to Natchitoches. Tired of hunting fugitives, Elizondo decided to return to San Antonio. "The summary here presented is based on Elizondo's report to Arredondo made on September 2, 181 3, from his camp near the Trinity, Historia, Ojeraciones • • • Arredondo, IV, 181-186, A.G. M. UBoth Elizondo and Arredondo used the term "Anglo-American" to designate United States volunteers or filibusters.
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