Massacre on the Nueces River; story of a Civil War tragedy. Page: 34 of 39
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:
THE MASSACRE ON THE NUECES RIVER
31
though bleeding profusely had not relinquished command, where
he lay on his pallet using his saddle as his breast-work, and to
him reported the discoveries I had made during my reconnoi-
sance-putting the number of Confederates at one hundred and
perhaps more of picked and well armed men, and advising a
prompt withdrawal of our forces. He seemed to favor the move,
and I went over to my own pallet close by where lay my four
mess-mates, Hugo Degener, Hilmar Degener, A. Bruns and
Pablo Diaz, a Mexican, all of them ready, if not anxious to con-
tinue fighting. During a conversation I had with Lieutenant
Degener, he asked if I knew what the plans and intentions of
our officers were, I told him I believed that they had determined
to withdraw to a better position. "Withdraw!" he exclaimed;
"Never! Our two guards have been killed, Major Tegener and
two others of our comrades wounded, and if we leave here, they
will get our horses, our rations and all our equipage. I would
rather fight here until every man of us is killed than to go any-
where else." In reply to this I said: "Hugo, they out-number
us greatly, and they have a much better position than we. For
these reasons we ought to withdraw. In the shuffle and excite-
ment of going from one place to another, we may get their horses
and equipments in exchange for those we may lose. I am in
favor of retirement fromn our present position, so I am going
to carry my saddle with me and look for the safest route for
our withdrawal." The Scott boys, Henderson and- Hester, who
had heard all that was said, immediately proposed to accompany
me, and the five of us, I carrying my saddle, made our way
cautiously to the spot where young Bauer lay dead, face down-
ward. Turning the body on its back, I ctvered it with one of
the many blankets the Confederates had left scattered around.
Seeing no movement in the camp which indicated any effort
to withdraw, I said to the men with me, "Well, boys, they have
not yet made up their minds to withdraw, but may later, so let's
tie some of these horses back in the cedars where the boys can
easily get them." By the time we had tied a number of the
horses to the trees, day began to dawn, and the firing com-
menced. Our party of five moved closer to the enemy and
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.
Williams, R. H. & Sansom, John W. Massacre on the Nueces River; story of a Civil War tragedy., book, Date Unknown; Grand Prairie, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2409/m1/34/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .