Alexander Horton Memoirs of The Texas Revolution

Alexander Horton

I was born in the state of North Carolina 18th day of April, 1810. My father‘s name was Julius Horton, my mother’s name was Susanna Purnell. My father moved to the state of Louisiana in 1818. He died in the month of May, 1818, leaving my mother with non-helpless children, Nancy, Elizabeth, Sarah, Samuel, Sandy, or Alexander, Martha, way, Henry, Susan. My mother moved to Texas first part of January 1824 and settled in San Augustine, then called Ayish Bayou; found the country almost uninhabited. They were about few people than living in the county. I found James gains keeping a ferry on the Sabine river,. The next house was Maximillian’s. At the Polygoch, Macon C Cole, the next settler, Brian Dougherty, living at the place where Elisha Roberts formally lived. The next place was Nathan Davis living at the crossing of the Ayish Bayou. The next place occupied was where William Blount now resides, but the houses were east of the houses. We are Mr. Blount now odds. At that place live John a williams. From there, there was no one living, until you came to the place where Milton Garrett lived. There’re a man named Fulcher lived, and at or near the Attoyac lived Thomas Spencer. that was about the number of inhabitants living in this country first January 1824. But the county from this date began to make rapid improvements, and all things seemed prosperous. Among the early settlers of this county were some of the Noble men to be found in any county. They were generous, kind, honest, and brave I will give the names of many of them. I will begin with David and Isaac Renfro, Elisha Roberts, Donald McConald, John Cartwright, Willis Murphy, Phillip A Sublett, John Chumly, Nathan, David, Obadiah, Hendrick, John Bodine, John Laut, Bailey Anderson, Benjamin Thomas, Wiley, Thomas, Shedrack Thomas, Thomas Cartwright, Isaac Lindsey, John G Love, Martha, Louis, and family, George Jones, Achilles Johnson, Elias Kay, David, Theodore Dorset, John Dorsett, Benjamin Lindsey, Steven Prater, Wyatt Hanks, James and Horatio Hanks, Solomon Miller, Hiram Brown, William lace (Lacy) George Tell, Edward Tell, John Sprowl, James Bridges, Ross Bridges, Peter Galloway, John McGinnis. These were the most earliest settlers of East Texas. In 1825 the people began to make rapid improvement, opening large farms and building cotton jams. This year, Elisha Roberts, John Williams, and John Sproul, each erected cotton jams on the main road for at that time there was no one living either north or south of the old Kings Highway. In the year 1824 William Quirk built a meal on the Ayish Bayou just above where Hank’s Mill now stands. All things went on, harmonious for several years, the country filling up rapidly.

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The first trouble we had commenced 1827. This was called the Fredonian war. This grew out of a quarrel between the Mexican citizens of Nacogdoches and Colonel Hayden Edwards. Colonel Edwards had obtained from the Mexican government, the right to colonize the country south of the road leading from Nacogdoches to the Sabine river, and had settled in the town of Nacogdoches with his family, but a dispute sooner, Rose between him and the Mexican citizens in regard to their land matters. These things were referred to the Mexican authorities, who once decided in favor of the Mexican citizens, and it once took from Edwards, his colonial grant, and gave the colony to Antonio de Zavala. This act aroused Edwards to desperation, and he at once proceeded to the United States and raised a large force of volunteers, marched upon Nacogdoches, and after a short engagement, took the town, killing one Mexican and wounding several. They then raise what they called the Fredonian flag. And established the Fredonian government. He then called upon the citizens of Ayish, Sabine, and Tenaha or Shelby to join. This they refused to do, not seeing any cause for a war with Mexico. This again rouse Edwards to desperation, and he at once issued a proclamation, giving the citizens a given time to join him, stating that all that did not join by given time was to be driven Out of the country, and their property to be confiscated. And furtherance of this, he sat down to this country about 100 man stationed on the road about 2 miles east of the Ayish Bayou. This threat backed by such forced entirely, broke up the country. Every citizen of this county, except Edward tail, and myself lead across the Sabine. It did seem as if all was lost, but it last the comforter came. The evening before the Fredonians were to carry out their threat to my great joy and surprise who should ride up to my mother‘s but my old and well tried Friends Steven Prater. A braver or more honester man ever lived in any county. He had with him about 75 or 100 Indian Warriors, all painted and ready to execute any order given to them by Prater. When he rode up to my mother’s house, he called me and said: not run away yet? I told him I had not left nor did intend to leave. He then said: are you willing to join us and fight for your country? I told him I was. Then said he “settle your horse and follow me, for intend to take that Fredonian Garrison in the morning or die in the attempt.“ I want sell my horse, shoulder my rifle and fell into line. Stephen Prater had only ate white men with him. The rest of the citizens had gone over Sabine for protection from the government of the United States. I will remember all of them he had with him. James Bridges Senior, James Bridges, Junior, Ross, Bridges, Peter Calloway, and John McGinnis. his two son, Steven and Freeman, and a Horton. He marched that evening up and about 400 yards of the Fredonian Fort, dismounted his men and at daylight in the morning, marched them up near those fortifications, and after telling them the place would be taken by storm, but not to fire or kill anyone without we were fired on, the order was given for a charge. When the word was given to charge, the Indians raised a war whoop and it was terrible. The Fred Donean’s threw down their arms and begged for quarters, which was granted at once. They were all disarmed and put under guard. As next day was the day the troops was to come down to carry out their threat of confiscation, as fast as they arrive they were arrested and put under guard. So in the course of a few hours, we had them all under guard. when the news reach Nacogdoches, Colonel Edwards and the balance of the party fled to the United States, crossing the Sabine River at Richard Haley Crossing in Shelby County: and this was the last of the Fredonian war. This is a true and correct statement; tho many things may have been left or forgotten which is states is true and correct.

All things after this went on smoothly. The Mexican government was highly pleased with the part taken by the Americans and it once appointed officers to extend land tiles to the colonist, the country rapidly filling up with settlers. In 1832 a civil war broke out in Mexico, president Bustamante, declaring a favor of a monarchial form of government, and general Santa Anna in favor of the constitution of 1824. The Americans everywhere in Texas took up government and General Santa Ana in favor of the constitution of 1824. The Americans everywhere in Texas took up arms in favor of Santa Anna. At that time, there was a regiment of Mexican soldiers station at Nacogdoches under the command of Colonel Piedras, who declared in favor of the central government. The people of eastern Texas declared in favor of the constitution of 1824. (Note: the Mexican constitution of 1824 was a democracy with a constitution that was largely modeled on the US Constitution) the people that once flew to arms and elected John W Bullock, Commander and chief. James W Bullock was a well tried soldier, had served under the immortal Jackson in the Indian wars and was with him at the battle of New Orleans. The Texans march from the town of Nacogdoches, the last day of July 1832 and on the second day of August, formed himself in regular order of battle, and demanded the surrender of the place or raising of the Santa Anna flag, both of which Colonel Piedras refused to do, sending word that he was well prepared and ready to receive us. About 10 o’clock on the second day of August, the battle began, the Mexicans meeting us at the entrance of the town. A furious fight commence, which lasted all day, the Americans driving them from house to house until they reached the Stonehouse. There they made a desperate stand, but was again driven from there to the main fortification, which they called the quartel. This was end of the fighting of 2 August. August 3 the Americans was well prepared to commence the fight, but to their surprise, they found that the Mexicans had that night, abandoned the town and had retreated to the west. A call it once was made for volunteers to follow them. 17 men at once volunteer to go after them; attacked them at the crossing of the Angelina, and after considerable fight in which Mexicans lost the great Calvary officer Musquiz, who was killed in the fight, the Mexicans took possession of John Durst houses. The Americans withdrew and took a strong position on the road west of the river, intending to ambush and fight the Mexicans to the Brazos, but after waiting until later in the day, returned to see what the Mexicans was doing. to our surprise and arriving near the house, we saw a white flag floating from Durse‘s chimney. We approached the place with caution where we had only 17 men and Piedras had an entire regiment. But we approached as near as we thought prudent and Peidras and his officers come out and surrender themselves prisoners of war. We then was at a loss to know what to do with so many prisoners, so we hit upon the following plan: so it was agreed-upon that Colonel Piedras and his officer should be taken back to Nacogdoches, and the soldiers should remain where they were until further orders. on arriving at Nacogdoches with our prisoners, a treaty was made by the way of New Orleans pledging himself not to take up arms anymore during the war unless fairly exchanged; and this was the end of the war of 1832. The names of the 17 men I have forgot some of them, but I remember some of them. I will begin with James Carter, H Brown, John Nolan, William lloyd, Jack Thompson, George Louis, Horatio Hanks, and James Bradshaw, A. Horton, George Jones, the other names I have forgotten.

When I arrived in Texas in 1924, I found it so sparsely settled that there was no regulations in any legal form. As we had no knowledge of the Mexican laws, we were a law into ourselves. But as the country became more thickly settled, it became manifest that there must be some rule to collect debts and punished crimes. The people agree to elect a man whom they called an Alcalde and a sheriff to execute his orders. The Alcalde’s power extended to all cases, civil, and criminal without any regard to the amount in controversy. Murder, thefts, and all other cases came under his jurisdiction, except divorces, and as the old Texas men and women were always true and loyal to each other, divorce cases was never heard of. The ALCALDE had the Power in all cases to call to his assistance 12 good and lawful citizens to his aid when he deemed it necessary are the parties required it, and the decision of the ALCALDE and 12 men was final from which no appeal could be taken, and there was much justice done then as there is now and not have so much grumbling. The first ALCALDE was Bailey Anderson, the next was John Sproul. In 1830 Jacob Garrett was a Alcalde, 1831 Elijah Roberts, 1832 Benjamin Lindsey, 1833 William McFarland, and 1834 Charles Taylor. I served a sheriff under Roberts, Lindsey, McFarland and Taylor, but the year of 35 called me to the field in defense of my country.

The year 1835 brought about a new order of things. After the people had fought for Santa Anna in 1832, looking on him as the Washington of the day, in 1835 he turns traitor to the Republican Party and declared himself dictator or emperor. he soon overrun all the Mexican states, except Texas, who true to the principles of 1776 refused to submit to his tyrannical form of government, and this brought on the war with Mexico. The people have political meetings everywhere in Texas and resolved, resist the tyrant against all hazards. A consultation was called to meet at San Felipe de Austin to determine what was best. In the meantime, the people of Texas had flew to arms; had taken Goliad and San Antonio, and driven the Mexicans out of Texas. When the consultation met they at once close the land office in Texas, suspended the laws and all civil cases, and elected Sam Houston commander-in-chief for the armies of Texas. Houston repaired to the army, but Travis and Fannin refused to give up the command of Houston. He returned home much mortified, and the disobedience of orders led to all great desertion of our armies. Had Fannin and Travis had turned over the commander Houston that fine army would’ve been saved, but Houston had to return him wait until the meeting of the convention in March 1836 before he could get the command, and it was too late. on the assembling of the convention among the earliest act was to elect Houston commander-in-chief, for that time, Travis‘s letters were coming every day calling for troops, saying the Mexican army was advancing rapidly on him and great force, but he would hold the post till the last and would never surrender. Houston arrived at Gonzales about 11th of March with only four men: Colonel Hockley, Richardson Scurry, A Horton and one other man. When he reached Gonzales, he found the glorious Edward Burleson there with about 400 men, who had started to reinforce Travis, but on reaching their field, found Santa Anna with a powerful army had got there before him and surrounded the Alamo with a force estimated from 8000 to 10,000 men. On Houston’s arrival, Edward Burleson at once turned over the command him, and was at once elected colonel of the first regiment. The great anxiety was for the fort of the Alamo. The spy came in that morning, and said that San Antonio was surrounded by powerful force so they could not approach near enough to see what the fight of it, greatly fear that the town had fallen as all firing had ceased. soon after Mrs. Dickerson arrived with her infant daughter, and that everyone had been killed except herself and the child and Negro man, the Santa Anna with his whole army was not 5 miles off where she left them at dinner and had come with a proclamation from Santa Anna offering a pardon to all who would lay down arms and submit to the government, but certain death to all that was found under arms. This proclamation, Houston read to the man and then stamped it under his feet and shouted death to Santa Anna, and down with Despocism. all the men joined in the shout. But there was not time to be lost as the enemy was at the door.

After a council of war, it was decided that the troops must fall back at once. Orders was given for the women and children to retreat as fast as possible, assuring them that troops would cover their retreat and defend them as long as a man was left alive. The retreat was commenced about midnight, the troops following them. Houston retreated to the Colorado, sending word to Fannin to leave Goliad , but he refused to do so and paid no regard to Houston’s order. Houston remained there many days expecting that Fannin would come to his assistance, but that he failed or refused to do while waiting there Houston’s army was stronger than it ever was afterwards. While waiting for Fannin and expecting him every house to his great surprise, Carl, a man well skilled in the Mexican affairs, came to camp and brought the dreadful news that Fannin‘s army had been captured and all killed after the surrender. This dreadful news again had caused great confusion in the army. The army was again obligated to fall back, and a large number of our men had to be paroled to take care of their families, and this again greatly reduced our forces. Houston retreated to the Brazos to San Felipe. There he turned up the river on the west side and camped opposite Groce’s retreat. Between the river and a large lake, where he remained many days, sending out his spies in every direction watching the enemies motions. At last the glorious spy, Henry Karnes, brought the news at Santa Anna, had forced the crossing of the Brazos at Fort Bend and was marching onto Harrisburg. Houston at once by the assistance of the steamboat Yellowstone that was lying at Groce’s moved his army across the Brazos and took up the line of March to Harrisburg, that ended in the defeat of the Mexican army and the securing of the independence of Texas.

When I arrived in Texas in 1924, I found it so sparsely settled that there was no regulations in any legal form. As we had no knowledge of the Mexican laws, we were a law into ourselves. But as the country became more thickly settled, it became manifest that there must be some rule to collect debts and punished crimes. The people agree to elect a man whom they called an Alcalde and a sheriff to execute his orders. The Alcalde’s power extended to all cases, civil, and criminal without any regard to the amount in controversy. Murder, thefts, and all other cases came under his jurisdiction, except divorces, and as the old Texas men and women were always true and loyal to each other, divorce cases was never heard of. The ALCALDE had the Power in all cases to call to his assistance 12 good and lawful citizens to his aid when he deemed it necessary are the parties required it, and the decision of the ALCALDE and 12 men was final from which no appeal could be taken, and there was much justice done then as there is now and not have so much grumbling. The first ALCALDE was Bailey Anderson, the next was John Sproul. In 1830 Jacob Garrett was a Alcalde, 1831 Elijah Roberts, 1832 Benjamin Lindsey, 1833 William McFarland, and 1834 Charles Taylor. I served a sheriff under Roberts, Lindsey, McFarland and Taylor, but the year of 35 called me to the field in defense of my country.

The year 1835 brought about a new order of things. After the people had fought for Santa Anna in 1832, looking on him as the Washington of the day, in 1835 he turns traitor to the Republican Party and declared himself dictator or emperor. he soon overrun all the Mexican states, except Texas, who true to the principles of 1776 refused to submit to his tyrannical form of government, and this brought on the war with Mexico. The people have political meetings everywhere in Texas and resolved, resist the tyrant against all hazards. A consultation was called to meet at San Felipe de Austin to determine what was best. In the meantime, the people of Texas had flew to arms; had taken Goliad and San Antonio, and driven the Mexicans out of Texas. When the consultation met they at once close the land office in Texas, suspended the laws and all civil cases, and elected Sam Houston commander-in-chief for the armies of Texas. Houston repaired to the army, but Travis and Fannin refused to give up the command of Houston. He returned home much mortified, and the disobedience of orders led to all great desertion of our armies. Had Fannin and Travis had turned over the commander Houston that fine army would’ve been saved, but Houston had to return him wait until the meeting of the convention in March 1836 before he could get the command, and it was too late. on the assembling of the convention among the earliest act was to elect Houston commander-in-chief, for that time, Travis‘s letters were coming every day calling for troops, saying the Mexican army was advancing rapidly on him and great force, but he would hold the post till the last and would never surrender. Houston arrived at Gonzales about 11th of March with only four men: Colonel Hockley, Richardson Scurry, A Horton and one other man. When he reached Gonzales, he found the glorious Edward Burleson there with about 400 men, who had started to reinforce Travis, but on reaching their field, found Santa Anna with a powerful army had got there before him and surrounded the Alamo with a force estimated from 8000 to 10,000 men. On Houston’s arrival, Edward Burleson at once turned over the command him, and was at once elected colonel of the first regiment. The great anxiety was for the fort of the Alamo. The spy came in that morning, and said that San Antonio was surrounded by powerful force so they could not approach near enough to see what the fight of it, greatly fear that the town had fallen as all firing had ceased. soon after Mrs. Dickerson arrived with her infant daughter, and that everyone had been killed except herself and the child and Negro man, the Santa Anna with his whole army was not 5 miles off where she left them at dinner and had come with a proclamation from Santa Anna offering a pardon to all who would lay down arms and submit to the government, but certain death to all that was found under arms. This proclamation, Houston read to the man and then stamped it under his feet and shouted death to Santa Anna, and down with Despocism. all the men joined in the shout. But there was not time to be lost as the enemy was at the door.

In those dark days, all seem to be lost is that little army was all the hopes of Texas, for if that little army had been defeated, always lost, for the Indians were on the point of joining the Mexicans, they’re on my way home after the battle. I passed many Indians about the Trinity painted and armed, awaiting the results of the battle, or if that army would have been defeated the Indians would’ve joined the Mexican army and would’ve commenced butchering our helpless women and children. when All seem to be lost the noble Sydney Sherman came to our assistance with a glorious Kentucky regiment, and having gloriously lead our left wing in the glorious battle of San Jacinto. That battle secured the independence of Texas and laid the foundation of extending the jurisdiction of the United States to the Pacific Ocean.

After a council of war, it was decided that the troops must fall back at once. Orders was given for the women and children to retreat as fast as possible, assuring them that troops would cover their retreat and defend them as long as a man was left alive. The retreat was commenced about midnight, the troops following them. Houston retreated to the Colorado, sending word to Fannin to leave Goliad , but he refused to do so and paid no regard to Houston’s order. Houston remained there many days expecting that Fannin would come to his assistance, but that he failed or refused to do while waiting there Houston’s army was stronger than it ever was afterwards. While waiting for Fannin and expecting him every house to his great surprise, Carl, a man well skilled in the Mexican affairs, came to camp and brought the dreadful news that Fannin‘s army had been captured and all killed after the surrender. This dreadful news again had caused great confusion in the army. The army was again obligated to fall back, and a large number of our men had to be paroled to take care of their families, and this again greatly reduced our forces. Houston retreated to the Brazos to San Felipe. There he turned up the river on the west side and camped opposite Groce’s retreat. Between the river and a large lake, where he remained many days, sending out his spies in every direction watching the enemies motions. At last the glorious spy, Henry Karnes, brought the news at Santa Anna, had forced the crossing of the Brazos at Fort Bend and was marching onto Harrisburg. Houston at once by the assistance of the steamboat Yellowstone that was lying at Groce’s moved his army across the Brazos and took up the line of March to Harrisburg, that ended in the defeat of the Mexican army and the securing of the independence of Texas.