Our Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
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the Trinity, while the rest were to continue aboard ship to the agreed destination. About a hundred men under the command of Generals Lallemand and Rigaud took up the march, while Colonel Charrasin continued the journey by sea. With the aid of Indian guides the land force had no difficulty in reaching its goal, some twenty leagues upstream from the mouth of the Trinity. But the ships missed the mouth of the river, and six days elapsed before they joined the settlers. The latter, forced by hunger during their wait, innocently ate one day a wild plant that resembled lettuce. Not long aftenvards, all but Lallemand, Rigaud, and Dr. Mann were attacked with severe pain, violent retching and vomiting, and terrible convulsions. Fortunately a Coshate Indian knew what to do. On seeing the plight of the unfortunate settlers, he ran into the woods and soon returned with bunches of wild fruit. Pressing the juice of the berries into a vessel, he went from man to man and poured a few drops of the precious liquid into their mouths. The effect was short of miraculous. "They soo.n began to stir and rise as if from a long, painful fainting spell." 10 Work was immediately begun on the construction of a fort, other necessary defenses, and cabins for the colonists. The plans called for I four forts along the perimeter of a circle, but it seems only two were actually built. The chinks between the split logs were filled with mud plaster. Even the cabins, with their loopholes for firing, resembled forts. Everybody seems to have worked industriously until sufficient housing was provided for the settlers, some three hundred persons in all. With the completion of this project, a celebration was held. The men feted the women and drank to Texas, the Sons of Glory, and the happiness of the French people. The colony was called Aigleville or Champ d'Asile. 11 A code of laws was drawn up stressing mutual aid and protection. It was declared that all property was to be held in common and that the object of all the settlers was to make the colony prosperous and promote happiness and the common welfare. Although some attempt was made to cultivate the soil, the majority of the residents were interested principally in martial pursuits. The whole colony was organized into a military unit with Charles Lallemand as commander in chief and General Rigaud as second in command. The men were divided into three companies, each comanded by a colonel. Drills were held daily, 10 Joseph and Ratchford, Tl,e Stor'1 of Ckamp d'Asile, 16-18. 11 Joseph and Ratchford, Tl,e Stor,, of Champ d'Asile, 18-19; Warren, Tl,e Sword Wa.r Tneir Passport, 213.
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