Last Fililmstern1,g Ex,pedititms and /11de,pendence, r8I7-r820 165
The expedition set out on September 27 with instructions to proceed to Nacogdoches and to expel all foreigners in the country between this outpost and the Sabine. Perez was, likewise, to punish hostile Indians for favors shown to the invaders. Only 30 sick and disabled soldiers and 50 dragoons were left to defend San Antonio. By the time Perez reached the Colorado, he became aware of the determination of the Indians to retard his march. A friendly chief told him that the Tonkawas and other northern tribes were planning to ambush the expedition ~n the Brazos, where many foreigners were hunting with them. One hundred more men were sent to join Perez and San Antonio was left completely defenseless. 38 Continuing his march to the Navasota, he sent a detachment to the Brazos-Navasota confluence to capture the Americans reportedly hunt- ing in that area. On October 19 ten prisoners, all officers, were brought to the Navasota camp, and on being questioned, turned out to be mem- bers of Long's party. They volunteered the information that they had to forage for themselves until Long returned with supplies from Galveston. In view of this information, Perez decided to proceed without delay to Nacogdoches to capture all the members of the republican government and to surprise General Long when he returned. Taking 300 men and one fieldpiece, he left the Navasota on October 20. He dispatched a detachment of 50 men to the pueblo of the Quitseys on the Trinity, where the roads from La Bahia and Natchitoches met, to intercept the Americans in this area. Early on the morning of October 28 he swept into the town only to find all but three buildings deserted. A Spaniard named Juan Soto and two Americans with their families were the only ones remaining. Captain Hamlin Cook, appointed by Long to defend the place, had fled precipitately at the first news of the Spaniards' approach. With him had departed all the members of the supreme council. 39 Perez set out the next day for the Sabine in a strenuous effort to overtake the fleeing leader of the second Republic of Texas. Three days later he was at the Shavorno crossing of the Sabine. Another detachment reached Ormigas, a crossing higher up the river. Perez was surprised to find a party of American troops on the opposite side of the stream in command of Captain Beard or Bird and Lieutenant 38 Martinez to the Viceroy, October 13, 1819, Pape/es de Estado, Afexico, Leg. 14, pp. 45-46, A. G. /. 39 Perez to Governor Martinez, December 3, 1819, Historia, vol. 162, part 2, 314-338, A. G. Al.,· Lamar Papers, II, 69.
Powered by FlippingBook