The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906 Page: 213
ix, 294 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Col. William G. Cooke.
213
after a short conference with a sentinel on the walls had gained
admittance. On this information, Genl. B. thought proper to
countermand the attack. This created great dissatisfaction among
the men, in consequence of which a general parade was ordered,
and Genl. B., after giving Maj. Morris's statement as his reason
for withdrawing the order for attack, formally resigned his com-
mand. Nearly all the field officers present did the same. Burleson
then proposed a retreat to Goliad, and offered to continue his com-
mand until the arrival of the troops at that place. Immediate
preparations for the retreat were commenced. 'The men com-
menced deserting in squads from ten to twenty. I saw that the
citizens of the country had despaired of success and had given up
the contest. There were three companies from the U. S.: 1st com-
pany from New Orleans, commanded by myself, consisting of 70
men; 2d comy. from N. O. under Capt. Breese, 50 men; & 15 men
under the command of Capt. Peacock from Missi. About four
o'clock I took up the line of march, and on arriving opposite the
Genls quarters was informed that a deserter (a Lieut.) from the
enemy had come in & was then in conference with Burleson &
others. I saw it was a favorable opportunity to prevent the re-
treat, & called on my men to know if they would follow where I
would lead. Their answers was unanimous: "Yes." I immedi-
ately faced them and marched them up and down the lines, calling
on the men to fall in & take the town rather than retreat. Breese's
and Peacock's compys. immediately joined me, & I succeeded in
raising 300 men who were willing to undertake the attack. Many
voices called on me to [take command], but Col. B. R. Milam, an
old citizen & a brave & good officer b [eing present], I refused and
proposed him. He was unanimously received.' I f[ear to make]
this too long. I must curtail my account until I can give you a
f[uller description.] The attack was made in two divisions: one
under Col. Milam, [and one] under Col. Johnson. We entered
the town on the morning of the fifth [fighting] continually until
the 8th, with but little success. On the evening of [ , I]
rec'd orders to hold my compy. in readiness for an attack on the Pub-
'Colonel F. W. Johnson in his official report of the storming of Bexar,
dated December 11, 1835, gives a somewhat different account of this
affair. See Brown, A History of Texas, I 417-21.-E. C. B.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906, periodical, 1906; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101036/m1/217/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.