Texas Almanac, 1859 Page: 52
[224] p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
52 TEXAS ALMANAC.
session of an island of timber, about 100 yards distant. On entering the timber,
Sherman found concealed in a thicket, a large body of the enemy, though he had
been told there were none there. The order was then given immediately to coun-
termarch, as nothing could be effected in such a thicket with their horses;14t4 be-
fore the movement could be effected, the enemy (about 400) fired upon 3'them,"kill-
ing several horses; one being a fine stallion, belonging to N. Moss, and anoater a
mare, ridden by E. T. Branch, and wounding some more. I was then standing with-
in fifty or eighty yards, having taken my stand, as before, to see if I could pick
some of them off. I saw Branch fall, as his mare fell under him, and picking up
his rifle, he ran towards me as if for life, causing a hearty laugh, in which he joined,
saying, he had never had so tall a fall before. To make a proper return for this,
our little cannon were brought to bear on that cluster of oaks, and the effects of
the shots are visible to this day, as the oaks were cut from ten feet high to the
ground, and they, in their turn, had to make a hasty retreat
DARING ATTACK BY SHERMAN AND LAMAR.
The enemy then withdrew their artillery, and the fire ceased. Our cannon had
been exchanging shots with that of the enemy during the day. About 4 o'clock
in the evening Col. Sherman asked Gen. Houston's permission to call for mounted
volunteers to take their cannon, as it was some distance from their main body, and
supported by their cavalry amounting to about 100 men. Col. S. was of the
opinion he could beat off their cavalry and run their cannon into our camp before
they could get a reinforcement. Gen. Houston reluctantly consented; but before
Col. S. could get his men ready for the attack (about 70 having volunteered, among
them were Cols.Lamar and Handy) the enemy withdrew their cannon, ieav'ng their
cavalry in the prairie. Sherman immediately charged them, and drove them back
under the guns of their main body. The Texians, being composed mostly of rifle-
men mounted for the purpose, were compelled to fall back and dismount, to reload
their long rifles. The enemy, perceiving their condition, at least one half on the
ground, they dashed down upon them, forcing them to defend themselves as best
they could, until they were again in their saddles, when they forced the enemy
back the second time. In the mean time Santa Anna, who had been watching the
fight, and constantly directing his orderly bugler to sound, " Give no quarter!" or-
dered out several hundred infantry to cut off the retreat of the Texians. The con-
sequence was, Sherman, with only about 70 mounted men, contended some time
with their cavalry, several hundred infantry, and their artillery which was constant-
ly pouring in grape-shot. While in this situation, Sherman sent Major Wells to
bring up Col. Willard's command of regulars which had been promised him by
Houston to engage their infantry, while he was contending with their cavalry.
Wells soon returned with the mortifying intelligence that Willard's orders had been
countermanded, remarking, that he must get out of the scrape the best way he
could. Of course, the Texians were compelled to retreat. Their loss was three
men wounded and several horses killed. Meantime the Twin Sisters were ordered
to be in readiness to afford assistance. I stood by with Moreland and seven others
to work one of them. The attack is made. The smoke and then the reports of
the guns showed that the engagement had commenced. Houston orders one can-
non only to advance. With my rifle in one hand I took hold of the rope with the
other, and we moved forward pretty briskly about 300 yards, but it required all
our strength to move the carriage over the hog-bed prairie, and a halt was
ordered. The combatants were advancing, then receding, with sudden evolutions
and rapid movements. Again we are ordered to advance, and while moving as
lively as we could, General Houston called to me, saying: "Doctor, here is a
wounded man: go to him." Leaving my place to another, I followed and found it
was Woodlief who was wounded in the hip. ;After reaching a large oak, I ordered
his attendant to stop, and we helped him down from his saddle upon the grass,
resting his head upon a large knot the best we could. A moment after, young
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Texas Almanac, 1859, book, 1859~; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123765/m1/53/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.