The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, July 1969 - April, 1970 Page: 297
605 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Book Reviews
as an 18-year-old to fight for the freedom of the soon-to-be Republic
of Texas.
The volunteers whom Ehrenberg joined in New Orleans set out
for San Antonio and arrived in time to help Colonel Milam attack
the city, then held by General C6s. Although Milam was killed during
the battle, the six-day "siege of Bexar" resulted in the withdrawal
of Mexican forces from the city. Once the enemy had departed, half
of the New Orleans company was left to guard the Alamo while the
remainder, including the author, joined other volunteers in a pro-
posed march against Matamoros. They proceeded to Refugio where
they waited for Fannin and for supplies. Ehrenberg vividly describes
the arrival of Fannin and his men on the shore at Copano. From there,
Fannin marched to Goliad where he elected to remain, despite letters
from the defenders at the Alamo begging him to come to their
rescue. General Houston sent a message to Fannin asking him either
to retreat to the Guadalupe or to march to San Antonio where, he,
Houston, would join him. But Fannin remained immovable. He
preferred to await the onset of the enemy where he was the un-
disputed military commander. If he returned to the main army he
would have to give up his supremacy.
At last, on April 18, 1836, Fannin was induced to abandon and
destroy his Goliad fortifications and retreat toward Victoria. His
movement, however, was held up by Mexicans carrying a white flag.
Faced by a large Mexican force, Fannin presumably hoped to save
his men by an honorable surrender. He received acceptable condi-
tions, even the promise to return his men to New Orleans.
This was not to be. After eight days in prison, all of the troops,
including Colonel Fannin himself, were marched out and shot. Ehren-
berg, with cool calculation, took advantage of the thick smoke to hide
himself, overcame a Mexican who dealt him a blow, and, shouting,
"The Republic of Texas forever," jumped into the San Antonio River
and swam to safety. For days he roamed the prairies until he found
refuge at a plantation.
Ehrenberg's story is convincing because he was a participant in
almost every event he relates. His style of writing is fluent and pleasing,
and his descriptions are enjoyable: even at crucial times he reflects
on the beauty about him.
The book's design and printing have been well executed by the
Pemberton Press.IRENE MARSCHALL KING
297
Waco, Texas
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, July 1969 - April, 1970, periodical, 1970; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117147/m1/319/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.