396
TEX.-\S STATE LIBRARY
vance, without the prospect of achieving anything more than repelling the invaders & merely holding their own ground; They however did not feel the force of his views- Not being able to carry out his plan, he resigned all his authority as Govr & Genl to the Junta, who refuseil to accept his resignation unless he could assign stronger reasons for it; Bernardo replied that in as much as the Junta ancl the people & amer- icans would not obey his orders, he could not be responsible for the safety of the country-The American Officers, exhorted the troops to oppose his resignation because, they were as much opposed to his re- tiring as they were to his strength[en]ing himself by an union & co- operation with the other provinces Whilst affairs stood thus, Elizondo, encouraged by the disaffection that prevailed among the patriot force at Bexar, commenced organizing a force in Monclover aided by the Bishop of Monterrey; and in a short time made his appearance in one mile Bexar where he encamped with 1500 men. About :~00 creoles of Beruardo's force immediately de- serted and joined Elisondo, making his force then 1800 strong. Eli- sondo wrote secetely to the American Officers, that they were at liberty to leave the city and should not be persued if they would not engage in the conflict which was about to ensue- The American Colonel & some other officers agreed to retire and endeavored to persuade the balance of the americans to do so likewise, but they declined to do it & sent a deputation to Bernardo to ascertain what he intended to do; Bernardo replied that he was determined to meet the enemy and give them battle; for this he said they would have to do whether the patriots retreated or not.· "\\Thereupon the nearly all the Americans resolved to remain, and share in the battle; the Colonel, however, retired taking with him eeveral of others. Active steps were now taken to unite the patriots.and prepare for combat. The next day Bernardo sallied out with a force of 900 men, 600 of them being well armed with fire arms, and the balance with lances. This was on the 20th June 1813. They fought four hours, the enemy lost 400 ki11ed and 200 prisoners; the patriots lost 22 killed & 42 wounded. Previous to the Battle with Elizondo, one Toledo a creole from Ravanna accompanied by one spaniard Picornel made his appearance at Natchitoches; & were there joined by one of the American officers and three others; who concerted the plan of deposing Bernardo and giving the command of the army to Toledo. They went then to Nacog- doches, where he Toledo was introduced as General. General Allen Ripley & others who were apprised of the object and designs of Tolado, wrote to Bernardo, informing him of the conspiracy that was going on a_gainst him; whereupon Bernardo immediately commanded Toledo to leave the Territory. They all accordingly returned to Natchitoehes, where they C'Ommencecl an attack upon Bernardo thro' the papers of that place nnd also circulated many clefamitory libels against him thro' Texas, whiC'h had the effect of depreciating his character and promot- ing the YiC>ws of the ambitious aspirant. ·.-\fter the Hntt!C' with Elisondo Tolado with some of the American offieers macle hi:-: appearanee at Bexar ; ancl being sustained by a strong party was emholchâ˘11e1l to urge his pretentious to eomm~1Hl, The .sol- dier:-: he 0'11i1)('d OYC'r l,y tellinO' them that he hacl obtamed from the .\mPric·1111,..Congress 2 n1illions ;r llollars, to he applyeil in paying off all
Powered by FlippingBook