WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1836
4,24,
1 W. Richardson, Texas Almanac, 1860, pp. 68-69. The Texas Almanac of 1859 had published an article reflecting upon Forbes's conduct at the Battle of San Jacinto. In reply, he requested the editor of the Almanac to publish this and other documents exonerating him. The report of the Court of Inquiry which investigated the original rumors concerning Forbes was signed by Lieutenant Tinsley, Judge Advocate, and Colonel Sherman, President of the Court. The Court not only found no ground for censure, but declared Forbes's conduct to have been that of a courageous and humane soldier. CONCERNING DR. PHELPS' SALARY 1 Dr. Phelps 2 can only receive pay as a private Physician, from the 5th July '36, until his five months are complete-which amount will be $100.00, with 25 percent thereon making in all $ 125. If he is not satisfied, he must petition congress, for none else has the power to Grant it. It is fair at the present estimate S. Houston 1st May/36 1 Comptrolle1·'s Jl1,ititary Service Records, Texas State Library. 2 In July, 1836, Santa Anna and his suite were held prisoners in care of Captain William H. Patton, at "Orozimbo," the plantation home of Dr. James A. E. Phelps (Brown, II, 83). Santa Anna was very despondent and attempted suicide by taking an overdose of morphine; but Dr. Phelps discovered what had been done in time to restore the general. This cles- per.ate act elicited the pity and sympathy of the doctor and his wife for the miserable captive, so for the remainder of his stay in their home, they extended to him great compassion and kindness. Their generosity had its reward in 1843, when their young son Orlando, a member of the Mier Expedition, was captured and carried to Mexico City a prisoner. When Santa Anna was informed that Orlando Phelps was the son of his bene- factors during the days of his own imprisonment in Texas, he pardoned the young man, gave him money for traveling necessities, and a safe convoy across the Mexican border into Texas. Wooten (ed.), Comprehensive His- to1·y of Texas, I, 660. To HENRY W. KARNEs 1 Headquarters of the Army, Camp on San Jacinto, 3d May, 1836. To Captain Karnes: Sir, I have received with great pleasure the intelligence communicated in your last favor. Colonel Burleson ( who is di- 1·ected to advance and with whom you will unite the forces un- der your command) has general instructions which I hope will be sufficient for your guidance. So long as the enemy are faithful in their retreat they will not be molested, but you are required to
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