Texas Almanac, 1859 Page: 63
[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:
TEXAS REVOLUTION. Y6;
Galveston, not to delay the amputation. Trask was as brave a man as we had,
but was sadly neglected. After some three weeks of suffering, a consultation finally
decided it was too late to perform the operation of amputating. After his death,
the copper ball was found in his right knee. Thus was lost a noble and brave
young man. His father, in New-York, having heard of his son's wound, arrived
in Galveston a few days only after his death.
CONCLUDING EVENTS.
In obedience to the orders given me by General Rusk, to repair to Galveston
with the prisoners, I set out, proceeding by way of Anahuac, to see my family, as
I was permitted to do, two weeks being allowed me for that purpose. My wife
and two children had, with all the other families, fled for safety towards the
Sabine, but having reached the Neches at Beaumont, they found that river had
overflowed its banks, and they were unable to proceed further. Some three hun-
dred families were there collected together, and the ground where they encamped,
being wet and muddy, caused much sickness, and dysentery, measles, and hoop-
ing-cough, spread among them all, carrying away many children, as well as some
grown persons. My two children did not escape. The news of our victory was
received among them with many demonstrations of rejoicing and thankfulness to
God for our deliverance. On reaching my house, I found my wife had returned
with others, and had only been able to find a few pieces of rusty bacon left. My
premises had been pillaged by the passers-by, for food, and my cattle had been
killed. All that could be found to subsist upon, was a few pieces of bacon, and
the milk of the few cows left. The nearest place where food could be had was
Galveston, and there all the stores had been broken up for the army; but after a
while, Colonel Morgan sent up some little bread and flour, to be distributed
to those who had none. Deprived of all wholesome food, my pains again
returned worse than ever, and for one week, I was deprived of all consciousness,
and, on recovering, I found my hearing had departed-I was deaf. This privation,
caused by exposure in that campaign, has continued ever since, with only
occasional partial relief, and I pray God it may not be worse. Colonel Morgan,
hearing of my sickness, the loss of my child, (a son,) the burning of one
of my houses, etc., wrote me a kind letter, desiring me to remain at home till
my strength was recruited, and until further orders. This was the last of my
campaign. My pay and discharge, amounting to about $300, I sold for $24, in
order to relieve my pressing wants. My horse, worth $150, was taken while I
was on duty, and used afterwards as a government horse. Two other horses were
taken from my place while I was absent, by those who said they had orders from
President Burnet, to take them, but they would show no authority, and when
they left, they rode to the East. By my opposition to Bradburn, while employed as
surgeon to the garrison, he refused to sign my claim for services, whereby I lost
$1100. My loss, jointly with Charles Wilcox, for supplies we furnished the troops
to enable them to leave the country, amounted to over $3000. No compensation
has ever been made me for any of these losses. During my residence of over
twenty-six years, in Texas, the government has.passed through three transitions,
and I have been a citizen under five flags. But of these private losses I make no
complaint. I merely mention them to illustrate the condition of the country, as
hundreds of others were, doubtless, similarly situated. These things are now
among the reminiscences of the past, and I give you this memorial of facts and
occurrences, within my own knowledge, in order to contribute my mite towards
that mass of materials which it is your purpose to place on record, from living
witnesses, in order to enable the future historian to furnish a true and impartial
history of the country.
JUDGE BURNET.
In conclusion, I ask the privilege of placing on record the names of some of
those who aided in those early struggles, and whom I have perhaps not yet named.
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/m1/64/: accessed April 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.