The next portion will contain a brief and energetic description
of the assault on the Alamo itself.
[The New York Herald, June 27, 1836]
ALMONTE'S JOURNAL—NO. 4
In the annexed portion there are several important par-
ticulars, both political and military.
The assault of the Alamo is very briefly given. It will be
observed that Almonte's account differs very essentially from
what we received at the time through the Texas Papers.
Another point is the account of the news from Mexico of the
election of M. Corro as President ad interim, instead of General
Bravo, who was the candidate of Santa Anna. This singular
fact shews that during Santa Anna's absence, his political op-
ponents had gained a majority of votes in the Senate of Mexico.
Here is the germ of the revolution which we expect to hear
of every day from Vera Cruz. A New-Orleans paper, in the
Mexican interest, stated very recently that Gen. Bravo was
assembling an army of 10,000 men to recapture Texas. We
doubt very much the accuracy of such statements, and wait
with impatience to hear of the events which must follow Santa
Anna's discomfiture at San Jacinto.
JOURNAL CONTINUED.
Saturday, March 5th.--The day commenced very moderate--
thermometer 50°--weather clear. A brisk fire was commenced
from our north battery against the enemy, which was not
answered, except now and then. At mid-day the thermometer
rose to 68°.--The President determined to make the assault;
and it was agreed that the four columns of attack were to be
commanded by Generals Cos, Duque, Romero, and Morales, and
second in command, Generals Castrillon, Amador, and Miñón.
For this purpose the points of attack were examined by the
commanding officers, and they came to the conclusion that they
should muster at 12 o'clock tonight, and at 4 o'clock to morrow
morning (Sunday, 6th) the attack should be made.
Sunday, 6th—At 5 A. M. the columns were posted at their
respective stations, and at half past 5 the attack or assault
was made, and continued until 6 A. M. when the enemy at-
tempted in vain to fly, but they were overtaken and put to
the sword, and only five women, one Mexican soldier (prisoner,)
and a black slave escaped from instant death. On the part of the
enemy the result was, 250 killed, and 17 pieces of artillery--
a flag; muskets and fire-arms taken. Our loss was 60 soldiers
and 5 officers killed, and 198 soldiers and 25 officers wounded
--2 of the latter General officers. The battalion of Toluca lost
98 men between the wounded and killed. I was robbed by our
soldiers.
Monday, 7th.--Commenced with a north wind. A special
despatch was received from Gen. Urrea, dated 3d March, from
San Patricio, in which he communicated that the preceding
day, at a place called Los Cohates, he attacked Dr. Grant and
his party, and killed Dr. Grant and 41 of his men, and after-
wards 2 out of 5 who fled. There was no loss on our side.
By the 14th General Urrea would be in Goliad. The greater
part of the 1st brigade arrived under command of General
Gaona. The mail arrived from Matamoros and Mexico--dates
to the 2d and 3d of February.
Tuesday, 8th.--Fine clear day, but cold. Letters were written
to Mexico under date of 6th inst. Commenced blowing hard. I
wrote to * * * *. Official reports were forwarded to-day.
Wednesday, 9th. Commenced with a violent north wind,
weather not very cold. Generals Filisola, Araga, &c., &c., ar-
rived. Orders to march were given to Gen'l Sesma and Colonel
Gonzales. Two persons arrived from the interior to see the
President. The wind continued all night.
Thursday, 10th. Day broke mild, but soon the cold north
wind commenced blowing, though with clear weather. The cav-
alry under command of General Audrade [sic] came in. They
were quartered in the Alamo. The Commissary and the Treasury
of the Army arrived.
Friday, 11th. Day pleasant, but somewhat windy. Gen'l
Tolsa came in with the 3rd brigade, but the divisions of Sesma
and Gonzales had already marched with four six pounders and
one howitzer. Marches detailed being 9 days to Goliad, 5 to
Gonzales and 14 to San Felipe.
Saturday, 12th. Day broke mild--became windy--but clear
and temperate. We consumed many fish. Sesma wrote from
El Salado, giving the details—-Romero likewise. The troops were
reviewed in the afternoon in the Square.
Sunday, 13th. Day clear but windy. Heard mass in the
Square. Very warm in the afternoon. Thermometer 85°. Nothing
particular.
Monday, 14th. Cloudy and windy, and warm.--Weather
cleared and the wind abated a little. The correspondence from
Mexico, Monterey and Matamoros was received, and a despatch
from Gen'l Urrea stating that he would be at Goliad the 14th,
that is to-day.--Orders to march were issued to the battalion
of Tres Villas.
Tuesday, 15th. Windy and warm. The battalion of Queretaro
was ordered to march to Goliad, with one 12 pounder and the
corresponding munition. To-morrow the two battalions of
Queretaro and Tres Villas will march. In the afternoon the
courrier was despatched to Gen'l Urrea. Accounts came from
Gonzales by a Mexican that the Americans, in number 500 fled
as soon as they heard of the taking of the Alamo and the ap-
proach of our troops, leaving their stores and many goods,
and throwing two cannon in the water, &c.&c. This was Sunday
in the afternoon. The same man said that the Convention had
met at Washington and declared the independence of Texas.
The battalions of Guerrero and Mexico were ordered to get
ready to march to Gonzales to-morrow with about 200 horses
selected from Dolores and Tampico. A courier extraordinary
arrived with accounts of the sickness of Gen'l Barragar [Bar-
ragan] and the election of Mr. Corro as President, ad interim by
27 votes. For Bravo 18 votes, and Parres 8. This election did not
please Gen'l Santa Anna; he preferred Gen'l Bravo. It is said that
Gen'l Michilena voted for Bravo.
Wednesday, 16th. Accounts were received from Gen'l Ra-
mirez--it was determined that Gen'l Tolsa should march with
two battalions to Goliad, and he started at 3 o'clock P. M. It
was also determined that I should join Sesma. Montoga left
with two batallions for Goliad, to reach there in seven days.
Wind continues.
[To be continued.]
[The New York Herald, June 29, 1836]
ALMONTE'S JOURNAL—NO. 5
We continue our translations from this interesting journal.
Some of the distant papers doubt the authenticity of this curious
document. Fools! what do they imagine us to be? The old line
newspaper editors in this and every other large city, have
entered into a league to discountenance and run down the small
daily press. Now it happens that I was for years an editor of
the largest paper in the country, and had to cut my connections
with these pompous blockheads, because they were too ignorant
and too stupid to make any improvement in newspapers, or
to know what talent was. The efficiency of the Parisian press
of New York, will soon be universally acknowledged.
As to the authenticity of Almonte's Journal, the original
went on yesterday to Washington, to be exhibited to his Ex-
cellency, the President of the United States.
The following portion brings the Mexican army down to
the banks of the Colorado:—
JOURNAL CONTINUED.
Thursday, March 17th.--A Courier Extraordinary was des-
patched to Tolsa and Sesma, and to Matamoras; one for Mexico
will start to-morrow; by it go my letters for Mexico and the
United States; I could not start to-day, because the mules did
not arrive in time.
Friday, 18th.--At 10 A. M. we started from Bejar; at 3
leagues from Cibelo [Cibolo], we met a soldier of the company of
Bejar, with dispatches from the President; he said that General
Sesma left yesterday (17th) for San Felipe. General Tolsa started
this afternoon from Cibelo; it was supposed he will not reach
Carrizo; one and a half leagues before reaching Cibelo, we
saw a large drove of horses; at half past 5 P. M., we arrived
at Cibelo; encamped on the side towards Bexar about 100 yards
from the river; on the other side, the grass was burnt, and the
track of two persons on foot, who had been down to the river;
nothing occurred during the night; we passed Rosio creek and
the Tinaja; day windy and rainy.
Saturday, 19th.—At 8 A. M., left Cibelo. To the Tinaja or
El Cuchillo, four leagues; to the stream of Carrizal, four leagues,
--making eight leagues. We arrived at half past 3 P. M. It
rained during the march. About a league and a half before
arriving, we noticed a cross and bench on which it appeared
some person had been shot. Rained all night. Nothing now
[new?] occured. One horse was found to be tired out. We stopped
one league short of the Carrizo.
Sunday, 20th.--No rain. No sun. Met a soldier who was re-
turning. Found water the whole of the road. At La Perra, (farm
of Judge Williams,) the houses were burnt. At half past 4 P. M.,
we arrived at the crossing of the river. I spoke with General
Tolsa, who had not yet crossed the river. I did not cross. We
killed a beef. Lost four mules, (tired out,) and one yesterday.
General Tolsa collected some cattle, which were sent across
the river. It rained at night until half past 9 o'clock. In the
afternoon two pigs were killed.--Journeyed eight leagues.
Monday, 21st--Commenced cloudy, but cleared soon. Crossed
the river with difficulty. We joined the brigade of General
Tolsa and left Gonzales at 12 o'clock. We arrived at Tejoates
or El Durasno, at 3 P. M. Found no people; but an individual
was seen at the side of the road, who appeared like an American,
and although he was followed until he lost his horse near a
farm a league and a half from Gonzales, he escaped by a road
which branched off at the farm. Night clear. Nothing new.
Made three leagues. Passed about 9 houses on the road.
Tuesday, 22d—Commenced with a north wind, but the day
clear. At night the wind fell. We started at 8, A.M., and ar-
rived at River La Baca, at 3 P. M., only five leagues. The farm
was abandoned before the revolution. We made two halts of
an hour and a half for the baggage to come up, which
had been left a long distance in the rear of the division. We
passed the small branch of Piedras, (abandoned.) In the night,
Capt. Montoya arrived with 100 mules, which General Sesma
had ordered to meet us. Two mails also arrived. The enemy
were seen on the Colorado yesterday afternoon, and three
persons, Americans, showed themselves at the River Navidad.
At La Baca, coming from Gonzales, and about a mile from the
farm, the road from Goliad passes to Washington and Nacog-
doches. On the same side, but in front of the farm, the road
goes to the mouth of the La Baca, a small harbor where the ar-
ticles destined to Gonzales arrived. All along the La Baca, (be-
low,) the're are small farms about two leagues apart, with cattle,
hogs, good pasture, and wood.
Wednesday, 23d.—-Started at 8 o'clock; in this journey (on
Saturday 19th,) the Americans surprised the scouts of General
Sesma, and killed two men and wounded one; we found water
along the wood; at two and a half leagues we breakfasted at
the stream of La Piedra, (a farm abandoned) ; at 3 P. M. ar-
rived at La Navidad, 2 and a half leagues; the mules were a
long time crossing, notwithstanding it was not miry; farms
abandoned and with stock; at the farm de los Coates there is
a good house, (abandoned) good water, and pasture; at the
farms of the Navidad the road to Washington branches off as
was seen by the wagon tracks; it crosses the Colorado about
7 leagues higher up than where the division was; from La
Navidad to the Colorado there are 7 leagues, with three or
four farms on the road.
Thursday, 24th.—A Cloudy day; left the farm at quarter
past 8 o'clock and at 4 P.M.; arrived at our camp on the
Colorado, passing by the farm of Los Nogales, the streams of
the Alamo and San Autonito [Antoñito], which is lined with a
thick wood; about a league before coming to the river, the road
from Atascosito and La Bahia, of Espiritu Santo separates; in the
night the Major General reconnoitered; made six leagues.
Friday, 25th.—The day clear and temperate. The division
cleaned their arms. An express was sent at night to the Pres-
ident, at Bejar. In the afternoon about 50 cavalry of the
enemy started off in small parties, and carried with them about
12 cattle that were grazing in the plain, within sight. Nothing
occurred during the night excepting a small fire in the camp.
Saturday, 26th.—Cloudy but temperate; at 6 A.M. com-
menced moving, and at half past 10 o'clock started from the
camp on the river, for Atascosito. On the march, received the
express from the President, dated 23 inst. in which he advised
the taking of Goliad. The enemy burnt some houses up the
river in the morning, and in the night, it was believed the
house of Mr. Wright was burnt, from whence we had started;
at three leagues we encamped at 4 o'clock, having made three
halts; the enemy came to reconnoitre us; the mail carrier
arrived alone, and said that General Pavon remained in Gon-
zales, collecting the cattle and corn from the neighboring farms;
the place we encamped at was on the banks of the stream
de San Antonito, about one and a half leagues from the pass
of Atascosito.
Sunday, 27th.--At 7 A.M. commenced the march for the pass
of Atascosito; day cloudy and showery; the road miry; at
11 o'clock we halted a quarter of a league from the river Colorado,
having made 2 leagues; as soon as it cleared (at 12 o'clock)
we reconnoitred; discovered none of the enemy; at 3 o'clock
commenced the rafts and finished at 10 o'clock at night; we
tried the crossing and worked until half past 12 o'clock without
much success; it rained in the night, and the troops were
drenched; no general order.
Monday, 28th.--Commenced cloudy, and rained until 8 o'clock,
and afterwards at intervals; a violent gust of wind passed
over the camp in the night; continued working at the rafts,
and at a bridge for the infantry, but little was done at the
rafts, and the bridge could not be made on account of the
strength of the current; notwithstanding, we succeeded in
crossing the vanguard of the Cazadores in a small canoe, after
working all day; none of the enemy's scouts made their ap-
pearance; a large canoe was found in the afternoon, about half
a league from the c'rossing, down the river, which was ordered
to be brought up; the reserve retired to the camp on the plain,
at 12 o'clock (noon,) the 2d brigade only remaining at the
river and on the other side, as stated above, the van-guard of
the Cazadores. The General in Chief and I slept in the camp
on the plain. There was no general order issued, as each camp
had its commander.
[To be continued.]
