The Texas Almanac for 1870, and Emigrant's Guide to Texas Page: 51
[290] 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:
MEXICAN (COUNT OF THE BATI'LE OF SAN JACINTO. 5 1
square yards--where we remained until the middle of August. Our condition
was infinitely worse on that accursed island, because we had no wholesome
water, nor the shelter of shade trees, which we had enjoyed on our former
camping grounds. The heat is much more intense on the coast, and, besides,
we had to contend with myriads of flies, mosquitoes and sand-crabs, not to
speak of contihual storms and showers. Such were the swarms of mosqui-
toes, that it would seem that the whole species in the world had taken
Galveston for a place of rendezvous. The sand-crabs would bite without,
however, being venomous; but they gnawed and destroyed our wretched
clothing. The little pests became so tame that large numbers of them lived
and slept among us. So many enemies at the same time were too many for
us. Within forty days, few amongst us were still in good health. From 10
o'clock in the morning the sun darted its rays so intensely upon our tents
that they became suffocating, their temperature rising to that of an oven, and
forcing us out. We obtained water from holes dug on the bay shore-it was
warm, and tasted horridly.
As to food-so long as the stores of a vessel, robbed by them from our nation,
lasted, we fared tolerably well; but, these supplies being exhausted, they
starved us again.
The tidings of San Jacinto had spread abroad. Those who received them
with the greatest delight were a certain class of vagabonds and lawless men,
burdened with crimes, who hid themselves in the large city of New Orleans.
These Uipsies, the refuse of the world, had some scruple in joining the
cause of Texas. as congenial as it was to them, for the mere trifling fact that
Santa Anna had entered it with 6,000 Mexicans. They had preferred to
pause, with due regard for their valuable skins, and await the result. No
sooner, however, had they heard of the disaster of the 21st of April, than
their patriotism was screwed up to the highest pitch. They became louder
in their boasts; ran to enlist to fill up the ranks of the Texan rebels, as
adventurers or volunteers, and shipped at once to join the army. Henceforth,
shiploads of that hateful rabble came in quick succession from New Orleans.
Now they could, without danger, squabble over the league of land, or for the
ownership of the land of plenty. As they approached the coast of Galveston,
and descried the promised land, Orestes like, they greeted with enthusiasm
their beloved new home. Their hurrahs and expressions of joy were inter-
spersed with deep and repeated draughts of their horrid whiskey. All their
trust and hope lay now in the dense forests and fertile plains of Texas.
Such were not our feelings. Whenever the arrival of these new-comers
was announced, gloom prevailed in our camp, knowing that we had to expect
every kind of impertinence. Every gang of that rabble that came surround-
ed our camp, most of them being drunk, and thought it becoming to make a
display of bravery and patriotism, by pouring upon us a volley of Godamnes,
and other abusive expressions. Our outward appearance was, unfortunately,
quite ridiculous--filthy, lean, unshorn, most of us sick, some in rags, or all
but naked, we sought, naturally, to hide ourselves. Not so, however; we
were compelled to form in line, in order that nothing might escape the
scrutiny, criticism and merriment of our inquisitive visitors, who, of course,
conceived a poor idea of the Mexican people from the samples exhibited
before them. Nevertheless, and in spite of the helpless condition in which
they saw us, they discussed among themselves the propriety of calling on us
at night, for the charitable purpose of murdering us. General Cos, who had
received several reports on that subject, sent for the commandant of the camp,
* The translator has preserved the Spanish spelling of an English expression, whica
appears seldom in print.
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.
The Texas Almanac for 1870, and Emigrant's Guide to Texas, book, January 1870; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123775/m1/53/: accessed April 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.