Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/65

Rh proposition of Colonel Benjamin R. Milam, then without command in the army, to enter and storm the place. Milam was a gallant and chivalric soldier, inspiring confidence in those under his lead. With his brave followers he entered the town at night, obtained possession of certain buildings, and forced his way from house to house through the walls by means of crowbars. Milam, after performing many acts of great bravery for several days, fell in the heart of the place, pierced by a rifle-ball. The troops, shortly after their leader's fall, obtained entire possession of the town, and compelled the enemy's fortress (the Alamo) to capitulate. Not often has such a scene been witnessed or was presented the morning after the capitulation. A little band of less than two hundred Texans was drawn up in martial array, and not less than eleven hundred Mexican soldiers passed before them and laid down their arms. On their parole of honor, they were released; and, led by Gen. Cos, marched to Mexico, Cos violated his faith, and the next year appeared in arms at San Jacinto. The main body of forces, consisting chiefly of colonists, was now discharged, and marched home to the pursuits of ordinary life. The gallant company mainly instrumental in reducing the Alamo, was alone detained. It should here be noted that during the siege of San Antonio, volunteers from the United States arrived; a company called the New Orleans Grays, under Captain Morris, and another company from Mobile, under Captain Breeze; who bore a gallant part in the memorable siege and reduction of San Antonio in 1835.

Events now transpired which did not harmonize with Gen. Houston's views. A plan was conceived of capturing Matamoras; but it was more out of hatred to Mexicans than in earnest sympathy with the best interests of Texas. A Scotchman, Dr. Grant, who had been engaged with an English mining company at Parras, fell under the displeasure of the Mexican Government, and was compelled to fly. He possessed more than ordinary capacity, but not the usual shrewdness of the Scotch people. After General Burleson had retired with most of the army, he claimed, as one of the aids of General Austin, the command of the remaining troops. Under this assumed authority he induced the New Orleans Grays and Captain Breeze's company from Mobile, to take up their march for Matamoras, by way of Goliad. There were men in the General Council, utterly destitute of moral principle, then occupied in machinations which terminated most disastrously for Texas. With these malcontents. Dr. Grant opened a correspondence, and induced the Military Committee of the General Council to coincide with him in his plan for an attack upon Matamoras. They desired to supersede General Houston; and knowing that he was opposed to Grant's plan, they thought that Matamoras should be captured to destroy Houston's influence. General