Weekly Messenger, Volume 5, Number 225, Vevay, Switzerland County, 23 April 1836 — Page 2
F-ii ' J .ui'.-.'-V7i A Laiis r,-Mtnh 2S,
YUE frALLOF BKWR TUB ENTIRE OF i'HlS TROOPS IX GARRISON PUT T i D2ATH, CO L'S. CROCKETT AND B3WJE KILLED. Wc arc indebted to a gentleman, pascng2r bord iht steamer Levant, from Naehi.oches, for the annexed letter, giving the particulars of the foil of Bexar it is a copy of one addressed lo the editor of the Red rircr Herald. S:rs BeXar ha fallen! Its garrison was onh 1S7 strong, corrunurded by Lieut. Col. W.Travis. After standing repeated attack for two week, and an alnosi constant cannon
ade and bombarding daring that tun, the
fG - Houston's wn. True sir, ju
aave succeeded hi killing sonic, of our brave men, but the. Texians are not yet whipped." Toe eiiecl of the fill of Bexar throughout Texas was electric. Every man who could use a ride, and was in a condition to lake the field, inarched forthwith to the scene of war.
It was believed that not lessof 4000 riflemen,
were on their way to the army when the Camanche sailed, to wreak tliir vengeance on the Mexicans, . and determined to grant no quarter. Gen. Houston had burnt Gonzales, and foilen back on the Coletado with about 1000 men. Col. Fannin was in the fort at Goliad, a ve-
jry strong petition, well supplied with muni
Ti.
i!.'.- Mx'ai!: Wiit
the last
Kk was made on the morning of
'f lions and revisions, and from 400 to 500
men.
the Cuh inst., by upwards of two thousand men, tin ier the command of oani Anna in person.
' r-t t -n j : i. 'conations and oursui's of peace, and continue
nunSor wounded. After abo.it an hoars fiV.v.-
tiie w.iote garrison was pat
'I The general determination of the people
'jof Texas seemed to be to abandon all the oc-
pations and nursui's of peace, and continue
n arms until every .Mexican east ol the lwo i ii v...... ..i 1 1 i', -...
1 - .UtlC SllUUiU CA.LUUUIUivU
the sick and wounded and sevr, men who ask-
cd for quarters) All fouh desperately, until entirely cut down; the. rc.-r were coolly murdered. The brave ar i c 'I'ant Travers, to prevent his foil In r hit the liars of the ene-
nr.v. shot himselt." Not an individual escaped, j mittees who arc preparing a constituiian and and the news is o;dv known to us by a citizen , we w ill soon have it ready. I shall be at home of Bexar, who ca ne to o.iraimv at Gonzales jn ten or fifteen days, we have alarming new fro --a the cess aii-.m of Travis' signal ii;is,:cnliiiual!v from the West; Frank Johnson's
j Committee Room, Washington-, Texas. ) I ii i I. t n. h
Dc vr Wife. I am well and we arc getting ;do;)or very well. We have three or four com-
f.K-;v ; lion of
reive I. ;",d the cnns:tfi
Tiu" dec! ara- division isal! killed, but five, it is supposed.
idrnend:ncc vo'i have, no do-it.t re. We saw two shot bcgcinff for quarters. Dr.
i io;rai ct lis in
you wii ion pro
!"....:.!. .. - i ; . J . .
i. m a iew uavs. receive v.ram uu h company oi iuch is supposeu to ;)(ci by the republic. jbe all sdnin.
Cols. James Howie an I David Crockett are j ravis last express states ban Antonio was aeio:; the slain ;he first was murdered in strongly beseiged; it is much feared that Trains bed, to which he h:d been conned by j vis and company are all aiassacred, as despatchillaes the l itter foil, iigntins l.ke a tisjer. ! Itave been due from that place three days The Mexican arniv is esti na.ed al SdJJ mcn,j"d none have arrived here yet. The front iit raw be more or less."' cr n,c' breaking up, Gonzales must be sacked, A. HRISCOE. j-uul its inhabitants murdered and defiled unFur'hrr particular?. We learn bv the p s- 'ls they get immedla'e aid. The last acscrrs of the schooler Camanche, S days, counts, the Mexicans were to a considerable from tho R.-azos River, that the war in Texas ! number between Gonzales and San Antonio.
h s at L-n -lh as imed a serious character. Tanning is at La Hadia with about 500 men,
Manv of tr.oso who
to lav down their
! m thU riiv detcrmipe--' and is in daily expectation of a visit from San
of Texas, ;a Ana. I exas has been declared tree and
lives in ?!;(
cai
have bravcIvTielJedthe-nup at Bexar. Three mJependent, but unless we have a general x.vmo- n. n ' iV,-.m n-:r .Viee. xve learn, ate a-!" cut and every man lay Ins helping hand
ft-. ct-.; Mr.'nf Wm. '!i i j.Jir loo, vc .are lost. Santa Ana and his vassaL
and "Robert .vlaore !;avc beca mentioned toi"rcRowon our borders, and the declaration
us; that of she other we eo.;'d not ascertain. On the 25;h February the Texir.n garrison in 'iexar of I5J men onlv, commanded by lieut.
cd
of our freedom, unless it is sealed with blood, is of no force. I savaainthat nothing will
save Texas but a general turn out. Yon all
W. !l Tr.e. U. a aitaeke.S bv ihe advan-! Know my views with regard to our conu.tion;
division of Santa Anna's army of about have given you tacts, judge lor yourselves.
n-.-n. when the raemv were rcnulsed U "isli a copy of this
with the loss of mtnv killed' and wounded,'13 caPt- paiLv Anderson and col. S. A. Lubva; iou.lv esiinvued ;Vom i5d to COO without i'etN publicly read in San Aug -slme. Tra-
the loss of a man of the gtrrison. This great slaughter was aerlbe i to the fact that everv nsan of the garrison Isad about eight guns loaded by his sulc. About the same time col. Johnson, while reconnoitcring to the westward of San Patriot, with a par! v of seventy men, were surrounded in the night by a l.arjjcbodv at Mexican troops. In the morn-
red one. Immediately after the capture, Gen. Santa Anna sent Mrs. Dickinson and the servant to Gen. Houston's camp, accompanied by a Mexkau wiih a dag, who was bearer of a note Gen. Santa Anna, offering the Texians peace atd a general amnesty, if they would lay down their arms and submit to his government. Gen. Houston's reply was, "true sir,
you ha?c succeeded in killing some of our
brave men but the Texians are not yet con
quered." The effect of the fall of Bexar
throughout Ltxas was electrical. Every man who could use a rifle and was in a condition to take the field, marched forthwith to the
scat oi war. It is believed that not less than
L000 riflemen were on their way to the army when the Cumanche sailed, determined to wreak their vengeance on the Mexicans. Gen. Houston had burnt Gonzales, and
fallen back on the Colorado with about 1000.
Col. Fanning was iu the fort at Goliad, a very strong position, well supplied with munitions
and provisions, with from four to live hundred men.
The general determination of the people of
Texas is to abandon all their occupations and pursuits of peace, and continue in arms until
every Mexican east of Rio del Norte shall be exterminated.
V gentleman who left Texas on the I9lh
iost. confirms the account substantially we eive of the terrible affiir at S m Antonio. S(.
'.nna was wi h his army, and subsequent to
the battle of San Antonio, oft'ered the Text-
ins term lo lay down their arms, and re
ceive a general amnesty, and submit other
wise unconditionally to his government!
Texas is now in arms to revenue the heroes
fallen in defence of her liberties.
Col. Ciocket was in the garrison of San Antonio, and Col. Jcse lienton it was also fea-ed in the engagement, and one of the victims.
bloudimorc nunirou. Ht had moved from hi en
trenchment. Charleston Courier. From the. St. Jlugusline Hrrald, March 25. Important from lrolucia. The steamer Santee arrived at Picolata, lVc6t night from Volusia, by which we learn that the detachment of 200 volunteers which had been sent out under lieut col. Dutler, had not returned or been heard of up to yesterday morning. On the 23d a detachment consisting of 27 volun
teers and two guides were sent in search of
them, with orders to proceed as far as New Sai) ma, and on their way, about six miles from Volusia, they fell in with a party of about 16 Indians, in an open pine barren about two' miles from any thicket or scrub. They attacked the Indians and killed one and wounded another, when the lieut. commanding the detachment ordered a retreat lor a reinforcement. We are informed that every man in the detachment behaved admirably, and the whole party of Indians might have
been taken or cut up had it not been lor the conduct of the officer.
A court maitial has been ordered to try
him immediately. General Eustis has been
detained at Volusia, waiting the return ol col. Iiutlcrsdetachment,nnd a want of guides.
md has thus been unable to comply wiih gen.
Scott's orders to meet him at the Withlacoochy on the '25th. Col. Butler, had two good
guides with him when he left Volusia.
We are verbally informed that this detach
ment consisted of 400 men, who had onlv one
lays provisions with them, intending when
they started, only to proceed as far as Spring
Garden; and, on this account, much anxiety
was felt for their safety.
in-' the commander sent in a sum mans to surreader at discreti-m, which was refused, and an otfu-r to surrender as prisoners of war made. This was aceeeded to by the Mexican otiirer, but no sooner had the Texian marched out of their encampment and stacked their arms, than a gemral fire was opened upon them by he whole Mexican force, when the prisoners en leavored to escape three only of whom efletled it. am-sng them was col. Johnson and one man who had been wounded. Between the 25th of Feb. and 2d March the Mexicans were employed in forming entrenchments aroun l the Alamo and boaibar-u'.n-; the place. On the 2nd of March col. Travis wrote that 2 )d shell had been thrown into the Alamo, without injuring a man. Oa the 1st of March. Si men from Gonzales made thir entry through the enemy's line.
and readied the Alamo making the whole
number in the garrison IS2. On the Gdt March, about nv'dnight, the A
lamo was assaulted by ihe entire force of the Mexican annv. commanded bv Siiia Anna in
person. The Mexicans fought despeiately until dav-light, when sex en only of iLie garrison were f.ua 1 alive. We regret to say, tha: col. David Crockett and his companion mr. lienton, aKo the j; dlant col. Bnha:n of S tit .;
Caioana. were no mercy for them. They
then continued fighting ua:il the wh ile were
butchered. One woman (mrs. Dickir.son)aiu
a wounded nciro servant ot col. Ir.ivi-s.
were the periotis in the Al una whose lives were spared. Gen. Bowie was nurdered iii
his bed, sick and helpless. Gen. Cos on entcr-in-the fort ordered col. Travis's servant to
point out to him the body of his master; he did so, when Cos drew his sword and mangled
his fire and limbs with the malignant feelitiK
of a savage.
The bodies of the slam were thrown into a
heap in the centre of the Alamo and burned On Gea. Bo.ies body being brought oat gen
Cos s iid that he was too brave a man to be
burned like a d g, turn ad led, pew noesco-
:scna1e never m.'.i J : t::row mm in. l ie
loss of th.e Mexicans in storming the place was estimated ;ii not less than UKU killed and mortally wounded. It i worthy of remark that the ilag of Sinta Anna's army al Bexar v.-as a blood ru I one. in place of the old constitu'.ional tri-crdored w:. ImmodiaUly after the capture of the place, Gea. Santa Anna sent mrs. Dickinson and cul. Travis' servant to Gen. Houston's camp, accompanied by a Mexican with a flag, who was bearer of a note from Santa Anna, offering the Tcxianj peace a general amnestv, if they would lay down
ti. ir nuns wd snbtnit to his govertiiTCnt. UUe Srst assault, between
From the Charleston Courier, April 4. FROM FLORIDA.
Since our last publication, we have received accounts from Florida, clvine inellience
ofslill further lss of Iif on the part of our ..... - .1. . r
uoop in mat section oi country, all tiie parliculirsof which, as far as we have been able
to collect, will be found below. Extracts of Icllrrs received in this city. Nc.vb Volcsia, March 25.
I have only a moment's time to inform vou
of a small engagement which took place "between a portion of our regiment and a party of the Indians yesterday. The order for the troops to cross the river St. Johns had been given early in the morning.and two companies, commanded by captains Ashby and Fripp. crossed in the morning, and took post on the side opposite to that which we lately occupied. A short time after they were attacked by a party of Indians, carefully concealed in the bushes and hammocks around. At the first firing the Irish volunteers, under Captain Henry, and Capt. Hibler's Company, immediately crossed, and col. Brisbane with his staff, and several others, followed immediately after. When we landed the fiVing was very general, and the fighting was a great disadvantage on the side of our troops; they were all more or less exposed, and it was only when the Indians forgot their customary caution, that our troops were enabled to fire with any accuracy. The companies of Ashby and Fripp, were the only companies fairly engaged with the Indians. Upon the approach of the other two companies the Indians commenced retreating. The fight was continued for sometime ta distance. The companies of capts. Allen, Denny and Parker, and two United States companies, under the command of capt. Forter and
laeut. Irwin, were also crossed over, and two
companies of the mounted Infantry. By these
the roads were effectually scoured, and our
troops, though obliged to sleep on their arms yet passed a quiet night. There were three
men killed in the engagement, attached to captain Ashby's company, all privates, and about ten or twelve wounded of Fripp's, all privates, sergt. Grose of Fripp's company, received a slight wound. "Our troops, those engaged, as well as the others, behaved with the greatest bravery: although for some time exposed to a galling fin-, not an inch of ground was yielded. No satisfactory account of the killed on the part of the Indians has been received it is supposed that at least six or eight have been killed the wounded they of course carried otf, if ar.y. Our troops are now crossing the St. Johns, and I suppose in the course of this day, the whole force will have, embarked. 1 have onlytaken a moment to inform you of this our debut in something like a general engagement." Wcl earn from a letter, dated Fort Diane,
23d ult. written by an officer, that that wing of the army was expec ted to cross the Withlacooche on the 2Sth ult. at the time of writing, it consisted of regulars, under cols. Bankhead and Foster, Louisiana volunteers, under cen.
Smilh; Georiria volunteers, under cant. Rob-
slain. Gen. Lowie was mnrdeied in his bed inson, who was acting as major, Georgia cavsick and helpless. Gen. Cos entering the airy, under major Douula, in addition to fort, ordered the servant ol Col. Travis toj which a baltalion.undcr major Cooper, n cornpoint out the body of his master; he did so,'pany of United Siatcs dragoons, under capt. when Cos drew his sword and mangled the i Wharton, and the Florida mounted rangers, foce and limbs with the malignant foi ling of under major M'Lcmorc, were expected, which a Cumanchc savage. The bodies ol the slain would mike the force amount to over 200U were thrown into a heap in the centre of the meo. Gen. Eustis command, and col. LindAlamo and burned. The loss of the Mexi- sey, F.J ).) Ilu.t Wl 1C rcady toco-operate to. cans in storming the place was not less than reduce the foe. Had not gen. Clinch gone to 1000 killed and mortally wounded, and as the aid of Gaines, he must have sacrificed n
many wounaea matting wiut ineir loss in number ol 1ns men. as he had no means of car-
rcen 2 and 3,000 mca-- rying his wounded, which wtfild have been
From Ttxns. The New Orleans Bulletin
of the 19lh March says By the arrival of
steamer Caspian, from Natchitoches, we have
received information confirming the report of
jen. Cos attack upon Sao Antonio, and also his defeat. The Texians in a general convention held at Washington, on the 2nd insl. formally declaied their independence; a copy of which we shall lay before our readers as soon as received.
i ne ixew yji icns American ol the
same
in
Bkdforo. (la.) April U.
The trial of George Keplev. for the mwtder
of Daniel Wood, of Jackson county, took place during the past term of the Washington coun
ty circuit court. After a patient investigation, of two days the jury returned into court a verdict of Guilty. On Wednesday last in the presence of a large auditory, the sentence
of the law was pronounced, in a feeling ruai af
fecting manner, by the Hon. John II. 1 hemp-
son. e felt the court house before the day of his execution was fixed, but are informed
that it will take place on Friday the 17th of June, unless his punishment is commuted to
confinement in the penitenliarj , by the Gov-
er a power winch, is vested in that function
ary, by an act of the last session of the Legis
lature.
At the same term of the eourt, Jacob Corn.
(a colored man) was tried for the minder of
Isaac Johnson (also a colored man.) He was found giult y of manslaughter, and sentenced to
fve and a haf years confinement in the state's
prison.
Jferr.'i Spy.
Shocking. -The New York Times-?av,
" The mother of one of the three fomt'es ot ctt-
pying'lhe house of Mr. E. F. I'urdy, No. 277 Stanton street, destroyed by fire on Thursday night, had but an hour previous to the breaking out of the fire, given birth to an infant; and such was the rapidity with which the flames spread throughout the house, that the inmates barely effected their escape, with the mother, in their night clothes, and in the consternation which prevailee, the little infant was left to perish with the building and its furniture, its rescue being impossible.
fourth Congress. IS SKNATE.
vis closes his last expresses with these words;
help! O mr country. MARTIN PALMER.
To the committee of vigilance and safety,
San Augustine. Texas. We learn further by the passengers of the schooner Cumanchc, eight days from Texas, that on the 25". h of February, the Texian Gariison, in Bexar of 150 men, commanded by Lt. Col. B. Travis, was attacked by the advanced division of Gen. Santa Anna's army, consisting of "2000 men, who were repulsed with the Joss of many killed, between 500 o 800 men, 'without ihe loss of one man of the Texian. About tha same time Col.
Johnson with a party of 70 men, while recon
noitcring the westward ol San I atricio, was surrounded in the night by a lai ge body of Mexican troops. In the morning the demand of a surrender was made by the Mexican com
mander, unconditionally, which was refused; but an offer of suriender was made as prison
ers of war, which was acceded to by the Mex
icans; but no sooner had they marched out of
their quarters and stacked their arms, than a
general lire was opened upon them by the
whole Mexican torce. Ihe 1 cxians attempted lo escape, but only three of them succeed
ed one ol whom was Col. Johnson.
Between the -25th Februar and 2d March.
the Mexicans were employed in forming en
trenchments around the Alamo and bombarding the place. On the 2d March, Col. Travis wrote that 200 shells had been thrown into the Alamo, without injuring a man. On
the 1st of March the garrison of Alamo recei
ved a reinforcement of 32 Texians from Gon-
7. lies, having forced their wav through the
enemy's line making the number in the Alamo
1S2 men.
On the Gth March about midnight, the Al-
mo was assaulted by the whole force of the
Mexican army, commanded by Santa Anna in person; the battle was desperate until dayliht, when only 7 men belonging to the Tex
ians garrison were found alive who cried for quarters, but were, told there was no mercy for
them; they then continued hghling until the
whole were butchered. One woman, Mrs.
Dickinson and a negro ol Col. Travis, were the only persons spared. We regret to say that Col. David Crockett, his companion Mr. Benton, and Col. Bonham
of Suth Carolina, were among the number
date says One of the agents for Texas
this city, calied on us yesterday contradict the statement of our correspondent "G." relative to the captureof Gen. Cos and iu proof of his assertions, furnishes us with the articles ol capitulation annexed, as follows: CAP1TULA I ION,
Lntered into by General Martin Perfcto de
Senate. The foil wing bill was read a thiid time and passed: A bill 'o establish a territorial government for the Territory of Wisconsin. The bill of prohibit sales of pubMe lands except to actual settlers, was read ;t second time, and referred to the Committee ou Public Lauds.
ADMISSION OF MICHIGAN. The bill t establish the Northern Boundary of Ohio and to provide for the admission of the State of Michigan into the United States, was taken up on its third reading. The bill having been read a third time, and the oues-
Cos. of the permanent troons. and General, tion bcin; on its passa-re.
If lzcard Burleson, by the Bjlor.ial Troops of Mr PoK'rr.n stated some objections lie had Taas. jto this bill, in the first place, he considered Being desirous preventing the further efTu- that there was no guaranty, that tbc nullii;
sion of blood, and the ravages of civil tar, 'lands, within the State, might not be taken
have agreu on the following stipulations: jnni1 appropriated to her use. Another objeclst. That general Cos and his officers lion was lnrit f'te present Senators and retire with their arms and ornate nrooertvJ Kt'Preso,,taI'vs' although only elected by a
into theintrrior of the republic, under parole j Territory, were to take scats as though tlectof honor; that they will not in any way oppose Cl' by a State. Again the boundaries were the re-establishment of the federal Couslilu-1 ,0 oe referred to the delegates of a Conven
tion of 1821. lion of the People of Michigan. It admitted 2d. That one hundred infonlry lately nrriv-Sno1 onlJ free while citizens but also free.
ed with the convicts, the remnant of the ! '"fgroes and even fugitive slaves to an cquali-
battle of Morelos, nnd the cavalry, retire ity witn their masters, lie therefore mocd
with lhf GfMierid. takiior ibeir :irm and lenilo le-COmmit the bill
bounds of their cartridges for their muskets. 3d That the General take the convicts brought in by Colonel Ugartcchea, tbeyond the Rio Grande. 4lh Z"hat it is discretionary with the troops to folio their General, remain, or go to such point as they may deem proper; but in case they should all or any of them separate, they are to have their arm, &c. 5th 7'hat all the public property, money, arms nsd munitions of war, be inventoried and delivered to (general Buileson. There are 12 other stipulations which we omit, having been publishing before. I consent, and will observe the above articles. (Signed) Maiitin Prrfkctc De Cos.
Ratified and approved.
On bitrd the Batavia, which sailed from London lor New York, on the 18th of February, are eighty bricklavers and carpenters,
coming out in espectstion of finding employ
ment in re-uiuming on the site ol the great fire of December IGth. Nearly one hundred more had engaged passage on board the Westminster.
71. e "moon hoax," says the New York Commercial Advertser, has found its way to Buenos Ayrcs, and greatly to the astonishment, no doubt of the natives, lt was translated into Spanit.li for one of the newspapers, and passed for a few dasasa veritable discovery; but some of the knowing ones discovered the imposition. MURDER JXD SPEEDY JUSTICE. A few wetks since a merchant of Arkansas named George Robinson, while travelling in his wagon between Memphis nnd little Rock, was waylaid by a young folic w with whom he casually fell in company at the former place, and after being robbed of all his propeilv, amounting to upwards cf a thousand dollars,vns barbarously murdered, and his body thrown behind a log, and covered with bru-h wood. Shortly after the murder, a man named James C. Johnson was arrested on suspicion of committing the crime, and on being closely questioned on the subject, confessed Lis guilt, at the same time expressing a desire to be executed forthwith, preferring it to the lnw"t delay.' His request was complied with, and on
bis business K im: donc for.' h IS rorn v
' w - l ' .'
Mr. Calhoun enlarged on the idea, which he considered ;is presenting itself strongly to the attention of the South people. Mr. WAt.Kicnand Mr. Wuicirr replied, as
did also Mr. Benton. Mr. Wuicnir nsrrced to
make, by general consent, an amendment, by inserting the words 'qualified voters." Mr. Crittexbkn regarded this as too vague;
ns vajrue as the lust wnriis.
Mr. Preston made an elaborate argument
on the subject f the State Rights doctrines
which he considered as touched mint inislv !y
an amendment which Mr. Clay ollercd last
night. Mr. Clay replied, nt length, vindicating his own proposition. The bill was finally pasted. The Senate afterwords nctrd on the bill to provide for the
admission of (he Slate of Arkansas into Ihe
United States, which was ordered to be engrossed. About 7 o'clock the Senate adjourned. In a perch delivere d by Mr. I .r.icni at a dinner in Richmond. tl:e. other day. he mention
ed that the irsonfir.il of I lie Semi If .. I 1,1, I
- ---- .-......v. l 1111 3 to be ''expimgi d'" by Mr. Benton's resolution is written part on one page vnd part on the other. It had been proposed, Mr. Leinh said, fo write Ex"' on one page and 'Punged' on the other.
brown mto the place where he had deposited! ing them to the public, and a the
The Now Oilcans Ihe of thc2lst ult. expresses a confident belief, that the Mexican forces will speedily be driven outof Texas. The blockade is treated as mere gasconade, and it i ns-erled lhat Captain Hawkins and the other officers of the Mexican Navy w ill speedily sweep the gulph oi all the Mexican ships.
Burning rf the. Treasury Ojjicr al Washing, ton. We published yesterday, exclusive, an account of the arrest of a person suspected of having been concerned in setting fire (o the treasury office about three 3 cais apo. Since his apprehension, we understand, his w ile ha also been arrested in Sussex count y, (N. J.) on a watranf granted by Judge Baldwin, al Philadelphia, lo w hich city she h;,s been conveyed for ex.nnina' ion, touching her knowledge of the affair. Three months "since wc were infoimed of h', the circumstances connected with this business, hut under at ii -
junction ol secrecy which prevented our
IV-
1 ha not v-
injunction
i cntirelv removed, vc