Tlie Beginnings of Revoltetion in Texas, r8ro-r812
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Alcalde Travieso was up before dawn. He went first to the house of Lieutenant Flores, and then the two proceded as unostentatiously as possible to Casas' residence. .Two other conspirators were making their way to the same rendezvous, Sergeant Miguel Reyna and Corporal Tomas Pinedo. Travieso and Flores were wrapped in long cloaks, per- haps to keep the chill of the early morning from dampening their spirit, perhaps to prevent identification by the soldiers, should anything go wrong at the last minute. The sharp notes of reveille rang out as dawn began faintly tinging the cold, gray horizon. Captain Casas, accompanied by three or four soldiers and the two cloaked figures, strode briskly towards military head- quarters. So well timed had been the departure of the conspirators that they arrived just as the last note sounded. Travieso, armed with a rifle, took position just outside the door of the captain of the guard. The sentinel halted the conspirators and called out the guard, who recognized Casas and permitted him to enter the quarters of the officer of the guard. Captain Nicolas Benites at first refused to surrender, but was over- powered and made prisoner. Casas, thereupon, came out and was en- thusiastically received by the assembled troops. Captain Casas placed himself at their head and marched from the barracks at Mission Valero to Military Plaza to seize.Governor Salcedo and Commandant Herrera. Flores and Travieso, having discarded their cloaks, boldly marched on either side of Casas. When they arrived at the Governor's Palace, they learned that the Governor and the Com- mandant, suspecting that all was not well, had gone to the barracks. Back marched Casas, with the troops still in formation. Just as they reached the barracks, they saw Governor Salcedo and Commandant Herrera, accompanied by several officers, coming out to meet them. Colonel Herrera demanded an explanation. Casas informed him that there was no use to resist. Governor Salcedo then admitted that he knew this was to happen. He begged to be allowed to serve in the ranks as a common soldier. As he spoke, he advanced towards the soldiers stand- ing at attention and asked one of them for a musket to place on his shoulder. Captain Casas moved quickly. Placing himself between the Governor and the soldier who was about to hand him his _rifle, he informed Salcedo that it was too late to make amends, and placed him under arrest. Salcedo, Herrera, and the officers with them offered no further re- sistance and gave their word of honor that they would not attempt to witnesses during the trial. The best and most detailed declaration was that of Fran• cisco Travieso, who turned king's evidence.
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