Last Filihusteri1r.g Ezpediti-011s and /11depe11de11ce, 1817-1820 167
systematically burned all abandoned cabins of American squatters and destroyed all property to discourage other foreigners from settling in that area. He observed that there were good crops of cotton, corn, pumpkins, potatoes, and other vegetables, and that his troops had fed well on the many pigs and chickens they found. On the way to Nacog- doches, he destroyed thirty farms and ranches, captured a number of fugitives of the Long expedition and seized several horses and cows. Nacogdoches presented a desolate spectacle. He found the houses abandoned, the streets deserted, and the church in ruins. Thirty former inhabitants came to request pardon and permission to return to their homes. They had been living at Bayou Pierre, Los Adaes, Vallecillo, and Tres Llanos-in the area between Nacogdoches and Natchitoches, mainly in the Neutral Ground-where they had been forced to take refuge during the repeated attacks on their unfortunate town. Perez was moved by their plight and granted them a pardon subject to the approval of Governor Martinez, Commandant General Arredondo, and Viceroy Apodaca. Perez stressed the importance of reoccupying East Texas as the most effective argument against the pretensions of the Anglo-Americans. The condition of the church was appalling. The desecration of the venerable old temple by heathen Indians and unbelieving Protestants, who at one time or another apparently had used the old mission as a stable, carpenter shop, and armory, was a shock. He had the soldiers carefully clean out the refuse left by man and beast, and built sturdy stockades to block the entrances to the doorless building. He knew that these would not keep out the Indians or unbeliev- ing intruders, but they would at least prevent roving animals from desecrating the House of God. Perez had intended to stay in East Texas to destroy Pecan Point and to punish the hostile Indians. But the poor condition of the horses, the dwindling supplies, and the severity of the season made him change his mind. Starting _toward San Antonio on November Ix, he traveled slowly, hoping against hope that Governor Martinez would be able to send him remounts, supplies, and reinforcements. When he reached the Brazos, he stopped to camp near the springs to graze the horses. Here he waited a few days for the expected help so that he could return to East Texas. Once more he had to take up the march. At the San Marcos he again halted, but in vain. On February 2, 1820, his· troops entered San Antonio completely exhausted. They had expelled
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