The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 14, July 1910 - April, 1911 Page: 43
348 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Reminiscences of Henry Smith.
we were not to fire a gun until daylight unless a sally from the
fort compelled it, but unfortunately for us, before we had time
to brace the palisades one of our men from being too highly ex-
cited fired his gun which notified the garrison of our presence and
they threw in one of the most destructive fires upon us that can
be imagined. The unfortunate man who fired his gun immedi-
ately fell, with many others. We soon found that our breast-work
without a ditch and embankment afforded little or no protection.
Every exertion was used in throwing up sand by one part while
the others were fighting, and we finally succeeded in getting our
situation a little more secure. Our company who brought on the
action did not come to our assistance as was expected. And what
we had suffered from desertions, deaths, and in wounded rendered
our number of effective men contemptible in numbers by the time
day light appeared, but the little band could not be discouraged,
though greatly fatigued and exhausted, as they had then been two
nights without sleep and a long time without water or any sort of
refreshment. After day appeared a Mexican dare not shew even
his eye or it was [k]nocked out if only a finger it was shot off,
and even the hair of the head would be shaved, until they became
alarmed at our perseverance and determination and their battery
was very nearly silenced. The morning was lowry and about eight
oclock there came on such a heavy storm of wind and rain as is
seldom to be met with and we were literally drownded out and
compelled to retreat without sustaining however any injury.
Most of the effective men took shelter on the vessel and all the
wounded that were able made their way to the camp, of which
number I was one, though not very serious, and but few at the
breast-work that escaped entirely except those who fled at the onset.
Immediately after the storm had subsided, the white flag was seen
flying at the fort which led to a capitulation and surrender and a
treaty [was] entered into, and on the next day they marched out
and gave us possession and they had permition to leave the coun-
try, which was all we wanted.
The Garrison lost thirty two killed and a great many wounded,
We lost seven killed in battle and three more who soon died of
their wounds, some badly wounded and a great many slightly. Our
company located in the drift [had] done the enemy no injury nor43
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 14, July 1910 - April, 1911, periodical, 1911; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101054/m1/51/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.