Here is an exert from Chapter 3 of Mexicans and Archives in my - TopicsExpress

Here is an exert from Chapter 3 of Mexicans and Archives in my book I have been writing for 15 years about my 4th great grandfather and decided to try and finish up over the summer - This is one of the most exciting parts in my opinion. Republic of Texas Attorney General George Whitfield Terrell: The Biography of A Texas Patriot And His Writings During The Administration Of Sam Houston 1841-1844 And Beyond Chapter 3 exert Mexican and Archives Shortly after re-assuming control of Mexico, Santa Anna ordered General Mariano Arista to immediately start harassing the Texans. His orders from Mexico City were clear: dispatch an expedition against San Antonio as soon as possible and surprise the garrison. General Arista was a noted veteran of many wars. Originally Arista was an officer in the Spanish Army, but later joined the revolutionary army of Augustine 1 and was part of Mexico gaining her independence from Spain in 1821. It is noteworthy that Santa Anna was also an officer of prominence in the Revolutionary Army under Augustine and after the downfall of Iturbide, Mexican politics revolved around Santa Anna who was allied with the Federalist who favored a populist representative government. Arista was headquartered in Lampazos and ordered to arrange for an expedition of 400 to 500 cavalry troops, who were to march under the command of General Rafael Vasquez. Arista’s orders to Vasquez; “take it captive, or put it to the knife should it offer obstinate resistance.” Santa Anna had three reasons for sending troops into Texas: to retaliate for the Santa Fe Expedition, which was a failed commercial and military expedition to secure the Republic of Texas’s claims to parts of Northern New Mexico in 1841; to re-establish Mexican control over South Texas and to show Europe and the United States that Mexico was still claiming sovereignty over Texas. On 6 January, 1842, Arista sent orders to Vasquez to carry out the expedition from San Fernando de Rosas. On 9 January, Arista then issued a statement making it clear that Mexico would never consent to the separation of her territory and that they were determined to recover Mexican rights “through the only means left to her, that is, persuasion or war.” He further told the Texans that it was hopeless for them to continue their struggle for independence and promised “amnesty and protection” to all who remained neutral during his planned invasion but also promised to use “the sword of justice against the obstinate.” On 27 February after returning to Austin from San Antonio, Terrell advised Houston that while he was in San Antonio news was brought in of a “most diabolical murder of nine traders” that were on their way to the Rio Grande. It was widely thought that Juan Seguin was behind the murders and that warrants had been issued for the arrest of those involved, but that they had presumably made it back across the Rio Grande. Terrell had also been informed that a party of Mexicans where “somewhere about the Rio Frio and poised to make a descent upon San Antonio.” Santa Anna had dispatched fourteen hundred Mexican troops under the command of Vasquez on 28 February who arrived at Rio Grande Mission the following day. From that point Vasquez quickly captured and occupied Goliad, Refugio and Victoria. By 2 March the situation was turning from rumor of invasion to fact. On 1 March, Chief Justice John Hemphill had ridden into Austin with news that San Antonio was about to be attacked by a large body of Mexican troops estimated to be from six hundred to one thousand strong. Cornelius Van Ness, Congressional Representative from Bexar County had been informed by an Old Catholic priest in San Antonio the Mexican troops were coming and would be in San Antonio by 15 March. On 5 March, about one thousand Mexican troops under the command of Vasquez entered San Antonio and demanded surrender. For their part, the Texas garrison under the command of Captain John C. Hays retreated and Vasquez raised the Mexican flag over San Antonio and declared Mexican law. Because of Arista’s proclamation, Terrell decided to “go and see” San Antonio for himself so he would be able to better advise Houston of the situation. Shortly after Vasquez captured San Antonio, Terrell and three other men departed Austin and traveled “within sight” of San Antonio and Terrell described the account in a letter to Houston. “the Mexican flag could be seen flying from the Church steeple” Terrell wrote, “and a most humiliating sight it was to a true hearted Texan to behold…” Arista had written to the Mexican Secretary of War and Marine, “The National flag is once again flying over the city of Bejar, and the Mexican eagles are again today treading the soil they have been deprived of for the length of six years…” Hays and about 150 Texas troops had abandoned and retreated to the Gaudalupe. Hays would have remained if he could have persuaded at least half of his troops to stay with him, but the recollection of the tragedy that had occurred only six years earlier weighed heavy upon their minds. Like all Texas leaders, Hays had very little intelligence prior to the invasion as to the size and strength of the Mexican army. Nor did Hays have any assurances that they would be sustained within a few days after any invasion. Terrell advised Houston, who had left Austin prior to the invasion with most governmental officials and were in the city of Houston and Galveston at the time, that it was his firm belief that this was a general invasion by the Mexican regular army. He also advised Houston that Texans were rallying from all across Texas and Hays, who was at the Gaudalupe now, had three hundred to four hundred men. The news of the invasion reached Austin on 6 March and Secretary of War and Marine, George W. Hockley immediately wrote to Vice President Edward Burleson apprising him of the situation in San Antonio. It seemed that the Mexicans might invade Austin as well, so Hockley issued an immediate call for volunteers to rendezvous under Burleson in order to start burying the Republics archives to hide them from the Mexican forces. Burleson wanted to go to San Antonio with one hundred men from Austin and join Hays, but Hockley opposed the measure until substantial forces could be raised to defend Austin. During this tumultuous time, Terrell wrote to Andrew Jackson at the Hermitage in Tennessee sending along a gift: “Gen Jackson, Sir, I send you herewith a pipe as a memento of the friendship I entertain for you personally and the respect I hear your character. It is of no value of itself, and derives its only consideration from the material of which it is composed is composed, is associated, being carved out of the stone of the Alamo, that memorable spot consecrated by the blood of Travis and of Bowie – of Crockett, of Bonham and many other noble hearts who yielded their lives a willing sacrifice in the cause of human liberty. Such an offering, although valueless in itself, I know will not fail to be prised [sic] by one who has ever shown a willingness to pledge his fortune – peril his life, and stake his reputation, in the same great cause in which these gallant spirits fell. I visited this hallowed spot a few days since, and found it again occupied by the same ruthless and degenerate people whose atrocious enormities are without parallel in the annals of civilized warfare. We set out tomorrow morning in search of them – our forces are rallying from every direction – and we do not intend to stop as long as our soil is polluted with the hostile tread of one of the faithless, imbecile, servile and perfidious race. In as much as I go with the troops I am much to busied [sic] in the necessary preparations for the expedition, to say to you what I would wish. That the going down of your sun of life may be calm, tranquil and peaceful as its meridian was bright, glorious and useful, is a sincere invocation of sir.” [Insert pipe photo]