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The-Begimungs of Revolution in Te%a.s, r8ro-r812
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"absolutely without any information concerning the rank of the superior officials who administered the government of our America." 11 Organizatwn and spread of the revolt. But to return to Captain Casas and Governor Salcedo. At nine o'clock on that eventful January 22, the triumphant rebels marched back to the guardhouse in Mission Valero to set free the prisoners held there, concern for whose safety had been one of the causes for the revolt. First to be released were Lieutenants Antonio Saenz and Francisco Ignacio Escamilla, who had come so near being executed for their revolutionary activity. With them were liberated Jose Antonio Salcedo (no relation of the Governor), Francisco Arocha, Alejandro de Uro, Farias, and a Frenchman by the name of Labarra. Having released all the prisoners, Captain Casas ordered the arrest of all Gachu,pines (European-born Spaniards), as also the confiscation of their property. 19 Casas now busied himself with organizing a junta (governing council), and immediately gave orders to Lieutenant Antonio Saenz to take eighty mounted troops with all haste to Nacogdoches to bring back the Gover- nor's wife, to protect the interests of the King, and safeguard "our holy religion and the country." He was also to place under arrest the commander and assistant inspector, Cristobal Dominguez, any other of- ficers who refused to recognize Casas as governor, and all European- born Spaniards, whose property he was to confiscate. As a reward for their loyal support, Casas appointed Francisco Travieso and Gabino Delgado to assist Lieutenant Saenz in the confiscation proceedings. The party left that same afternoon. A messenger was sent posthaste to Captain Luciano Garcia at La Bahia to proclaim the new order, depose the commander, and arrest all European-born Spaniards. Captain Garcia was hesitant in carrying out 11 Juan Bautista Casas to Dr. Don Miguel de Hidalgo, January 23, 181 I j Casas to Jose Mariano Jimenez, February 3, 18II; Chabot, Teras;,, 1811, 75-77, 79-80. 19 Before the end of the day the prisoners included Governor Manuel Salcedo, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Herrera, Captains Geronimo Herrera, Juan Martin Eche- varria, Jose Goseascochea, Miguel de Arcos (a Creole), Juan Ignacio Arrambide, Joaquin de Ugarte, and Francisco Pereyra (from Saltillo), Lieutenants Juan de Castaneda (from Punta de Lampazos), Gregorio Amador, Jose Montero (a Creole), Juan Jose Elguezabal, and Miguel Serrano (from Lampazos). Besides these officers, all European-born Spaniards residing in San Antonio were placed in custody, except a master barber, Juan Fernandez, and a retired sergeant by the name of Jose Gabriel Parras. Among the civilians arrested was Dr. Jayme Guerra. (or Garza), a surgeon in the military hospital of San Fernando de Bexar. "List of prisoners," cited by Chabot, o-p. cit., 82. Dr. Jayme Guerra (or Garza) was later freed and testified as to Casas' state of health during his trial, ibid., 68.
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