Recollections of Early Texas (17 page)

The next day the line was formed for Matamoros. Morgan was once more in the hands of the Mexicans. Now came hours of intense uneasiness for the old Santa Fe prisoners, who knew death was inevitable should they fall into the hands of their old persecutors and be recognized. Morgan says he watched and prayed for some chance to escape, but all in vain. At Matamoros, he and ten others who had charge of the sick and wounded were allowed the privilege of the town and suffered no great privation. In a few days, however, they were suddenly arrested and placed in a cell about ten feet
square, with no light or anything of comfort or satisfaction. In here they contrived with a piece of an old pocket knife to get out two or three bricks and were working in patient hope to make their way out.

Late one evening the door was suddenly thrown open and the ten prisoners were rushed into the street to find themselves suddenly and completely surrounded. With a company of infantry on each side, cavalry on the outside, artillery before and behind, they were marched to Victoria. Later on they received an explanation of the sudden and strange proceedings, which was the story of the Texas prisoners rising on the guards at Saltillo. A march of eleven leagues that day after their close confinement left them very tired and low-spirited at night, with no possible chance for escape. From Victoria to Tampico suspense and despair filled their minds, for they felt that certain death awaited them at Mexico City.

Driven onward toward a cruel death, suffering meanwhile severe mental anguish and physical misery! Toil with hope may give one pleasure, but toil without hope or recompense must indeed be hard, especially when the physical powers have been taxed and tortured almost beyond endurance. Thus the little squad of ten Texans were driven along. At Tampico the natives were very kind and they were allowed some little liberty, but no possible escape. Thence, en route for the City of Mexico, they came to a little town, “Un Riel de Monte,” where there was a large silver mine worked by Englishmen. These offered to assist them if possible, but no opportunity was given and on they marched to the city of doom. Arriving there, however, Morgan was much relieved to find himself unrecognized as one of the old Santa Fe band. In a few days they were sent to a small town, Reno de Melone, and put to work on the roads, etc. Here he was recognized and much disturbed in mind by one Mexican, who was disagreeably inquisitive and showed himself by no means satisfied when Morgan evaded his questions, assuring him he was mistaken.

I
NDIANS.
From Homer S. Thrall,
A Pictorial History of Texas,
1879

S
TORMING OF THE
A
LAMO.
From Homer S. Thrall,
A Pictorial History of Texas,
1879

I
NDIAN HORSEMEN.
From Homer S. Thrall,
A Pictorial History of Texas,
1879

S
ANTA
A
NNA
¹

F
ELIX
H
USTON
²

E
DWARD
B
URLESON
¹

B
EN
M
C
C
ULLOCH
²

S
AM
H
IGHSMITH
²
in Santa Anna's uniform

R. M. W
ILLIAMSON
¹

J
ACK
H
AYS
²