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But some of his companions being dilatory in making preparations for their departure caused a disaster to them on their way. Their guide, being bewildered in the prairie, lost his way, and after wandering all night, the light found them near their place of starting lo which they returned. l\1r. Chadwick was his companion in this, as on all other occasions of similar nature, and as I have reason lo believe shared a common fate. The next occasion on which he manifested a wish lo be useful, was the morning previous to our retreat. Our company of horse had got into a skirmish with th enemies' cavalry upon the other side of the San Antonio river near a dilapidated fortress in which our troops had taken shelter. Capt. Brooks, voluntarily put himself at the head of a company of infantry, and waded the river for the purpose of bringing on an engagement, ,but the Mexican horse retreated loo soon. In the retreat he was very active and useful. During the engagement I had no opportunity of seeing him nor did I know that he was wounded until I was informed by Capt. Fannin, who requested me to go to him. He made no complaint, except from thirst. One of the many comforts denied us al this time was water, the best refreshment to a wounded soldier, but after an hour or two's search I found one solitary dram in a gourd, suspended from the horn of the saddle of a wild mule, used for packing. This was the only comfort within my reach. The next morning we were separated and I saw him no more until he was brought into the fort in a cart with the other wounded. At my request he was placed in the same room with me and I was allowed to be with him the principal part of the day and lo be by his side in the night. Col. Fannin was very kind in letting him have his blanket, of which we had most of us been robbed. The Mexicans at first to give him food necessary for hiscomfort, but in my sharing with him the small pittance allowed me, we were enabled to prolong existence against the day of bloody and vindictive revenge. With an old axe I made a long extending splint, which with the assistance of Doctor Shackleford who was very kind, I was enable to apply so as in some degree to mitigate his sufferings.
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