A Pictorial History of Texas, From the Earliest Visits of European Adventurers, to A.D. 1879. Page: 499 of 859
xix, 861 p. 2 fold. : maps, plates, ports. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
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BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES
497
enlisted as a common sailor before the mast. For years his parents had no
word' fi'om him. Beilng in Noe O;leans when Long was organizing Ilis
expedition agailnst lexiico, ihe joiled thi and was chosen captain of a
coIllpalny. H:Laving sharett tlhe fLte of that iunforttunate command, he found
himself a priuisoner in the city of 3lexioo. It was fortunate for Austin that
he had formerly been acquainted, at Yale college, with Mr. Poinsett, who
was lheI tlhe United States Minlister at Mexico. Through Austin's ilfluence
witl Poinsett Long"'s menl were liberated, an: those who chose to go were
selnt to Norfolk, Va., in the ship of war Jolhn Adamns. S. F. Austin was
tlhnl in Mlexico; the two bearingt thle e name sae n oon became acquainted,
and JUonl ALustin and B. R. Milamn determed to accompany the Impretsario
to hlis new colony. J*)hn Austin became an active and useful citizen. In
1832 he was elected one of the alcaldes of Brazoria. IIe was the comImander
of the Texans in tle battle of Velasco, and to him Colonel Ugartechea
surrelndered the f,rt. In g,iving an account of this battle, subsequently, to
Gelneral AMexia, .Austin said. " We are farmers and not soldiers, therefore
desire that the military conmmanldants shall lnot interfere with us at all.
Since 1830, we lave been pretty Imuch governed militarily, and in such a
despotic manner that we were finally driven to arms, to resist (restrain)
witliin their liniits the military subalterns of the Governtment." After detailing
tlhe arbitrary acts of Bradburn, Austin goes onl: - Consequently we
wereV compelled to oppose them. We attacked Fort Velasco on the 26th of
June, with 112 fariners, hlastily collected, witllout discipline, and badly
armeld; and after at obstinate and bloody engagement of eleven hours, it
surrenldered on the terms expressed in the enclosed copy of the capitulation-every
article of which lias been strictly complied with on our part;
besides fatrnisllilg the provisions lnelede for the troops." lIexia was satisfied
witll tllis representaltion. As the Texanls had already declared for the
Constitution of 1824, and for Santa Anna, its champion, the troops affiliated
readily wVithl them.
The gallantry and skill displayed by Austin in this battle secured his
election to the office of Br'igafdier-General of the militia over the equally
gallant William II. lWharto n. In 1833, the Asiatic cholera visited Texas,
andl Austin fell a victimt to its ravages. hIis aged fatlltr, who came to take
charge of his son's family, also died of the same disease. Iad Johnl Austin
lived, lie would no doubt, says MIrs. I-olly, have borne a conspicuous part
in tlle Texas revolution.
AUSTIN, WILLIAx. T.-Brother of the above; came to Texas in 1830. In
1835 lie was Aid-de camp, successively, to S. F. Austin and to Burleson.
The latter compliments him very highly, for gallant conduct at the taking
of San Antonio. In 1836 lie was Aid to IIouston. While the army was
falling back frtom Gonzales, Austin was sent to the Brazos for cannoin. At
Br azoria le met Adjutant-General John A. Wharton, who informed him
that tlhe guns and amnmunition had already been forwarded to the army
from (olumbia. They inever reached their destination. In excusing himself
for the retreat from the Colorado, General Ilouston pleaded the want of
the cannon for which lie I had sent. Why they failed to reach him has never
beeln explained; at any rate the arrival of the Twin Sisters at the Brazoss
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A Pictorial History of Texas, From the Earliest Visits of European Adventurers, to A.D. 1879. (Book)
Illustrated history of Texas, organized into ten sections: [1] General Description of the Country, [2] Texas Under Spanish Domination, 1695--1820, [3] Colonization Under Mexican Domination, 1820--1834, [4] The Revolution, [5] The Republic, From 1837 to 1846, [6] Texas as a State, from 1847 to 1878, [7] Indians, [8] Biographies, [9] History -- Counties, and [10] Miscellaneous Items.
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Thrall, Homer S., 1819-1894. A Pictorial History of Texas, From the Earliest Visits of European Adventurers, to A.D. 1879., book, 1879; St. Louis, Missouri. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5828/m1/499/: accessed May 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .