First Claslzes witli tlze United States
2 45
until about nine, when a lucky or unlucky ball from the fieldpiece killed the daring leader. Dismayed, his companions attempted to reach the nearby woods and took refuge in a small cave. During the hot pursuit, the Negro Cesar and two of the Spaniards lagged behind and were taken prisoners. Again Barr called upon the little band to surrender. The offer having been refused, the cannon opened fire, and after the third shot William House came out unarmed and asked for water. Musquiz granted the request and urged House to plead with his companions to surrender as he did not want to have to kill them. David Fero, who had assumed command after Nolan's death, asked for terms. Musquiz replied they would have to surrender unconditionally and give up their arms, but he assured them they would be treated humanely. One by one the men came out and surrendered their arms. i\l i'.1squiz remained in Nolan's camp until March 23. Fifteen Americans. two Negroes, and seven Spaniards were taken prisoners. Nolan's body was buried by his two negro slaves, after his ears had been cut off. These! were sent to San Antonio with a detailed report of the fight, both of which Governor Elguezabal promptly dispatched to Nava together with all the personal papers of the deceased leader. It was William Barr, Indian agent for the Spaniards in Nacogdoches, who, "moved by his well known love for the king," volunteered to carry to San Antonio the ghastly trophy of the dead chieftain's ears, his private papers, and the report of Mttsquiz. 46 It is not our purpose nor does space permit us to follow the fate of the companions of Nolan. 47 The effect of this last venture of the daring young "trader in horses" cannot be overestimated. The governors of Louisiana, Texas, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Nuevo Santander had mobilized all the resources of their respective provinces to check the invader. Every commander on the northern frontier had been held in suspense for almost five months, and more than four hundred men had been employed to guard against a possible surprise. The commandant general at Chihuahua, the sub-inspector at San Luis Potosi, and the Yiceroy himself had strained every nerve to avert the impending threat. The incident aroused the entire frontier as well as the viceregal officials. It brought to them forcefully the realization of the danger of aggression 46 The summary of the fight and capture of Nolan's men is based on the account in Wilson, Philip Nolan and His Activities, pp. 128-141. 47 The writer is preparing and will soon publish a full account, Pllili,P Nola,,, Filibuster, in which the subject will be treated in detail.
Powered by FlippingBook