Alamo Traces (57 page)

“My informants told me that not a single Texan fell on top or inside of the building where the long wall has been reconstructed running north and south from Houston street to the Alamo chapel. The building which stood on the garden site was occupied by a Spanish garrison when Texas still belonged to Spain and the few dismal chambers which were connected with the building were not used as places for either nuns or priests to do penance but were used entirely as prisons for refractory soldiers.

“They further stated that after the Battle of the Alamo Mexican soldiers began cutting off the heads of the Texans, but they were soon stopped by Mexican officers.

“It became imperative by reason of the already existing unsanitary conditions to bury the dead as quickly as possible, but to do this was slow proceeding by reason of the rock bottom which is all around the Alamo. It was thereupon decided to cremate the bodies and a great funeral pyre served this gruesome purpose, which took place on ground located from Blum street south across the block to the Alameda, now East Commerce street, including the site where now stands the Halff building on the corner of Commerce and Rusk streets.

“I was told by Menchaca, Losoya and a noted Mexican woman by the name of [Madam] Candelaria that the Mexican officers felt remorse for the soldiers having mutilated the dead bodies of the Texans and those were buried where the post office now stands.

“Those particular bodies were not burned. They were not buried where they fell, but were buried at the post office where there is a gravel formation which made the burials much easier. I can recall when the basement of the post
office was excavated over 50 years ago, that 13 or 14 headless bodies were found at that time, which would confirm the statements made to me.”
¹¹

March 29, 1837

Mr. Smith walked with us to the Alamo which is on the eastern side of the river and explained to us Santa Anna's plan of attack. He showed where Bowie & where Travis fell; and where the Americans made the last bold stand after they were driven from the walls. It was in a room near the old church. The Alamo is now in ruins. Much of the wall is still standing, but a portion is entirely torn down. It looks like the tomb of those brave men who were sacrificed for the liberty of Texas. He also pointed out the spot where they were burned. A few fragments of bones mixed with
ashes are all that remains. Crockett sleeps with the heroes of the Alamo.

Mr. Smith also showed where and how the Americans entered the town in 1835. The stone houses which they occupied are still marked by musket and cannon balls. Under the command of the brave Col. Milam and after his death continued the attack they advanced until the town was taken. He showed where Milam fell and was buried. It is a little strange that San Antonio and its vicinity, one of the most beautiful and delightful places upon earth, a place where a man might so easily enjoy as many of the blessings of life as this world can yield; it is strange that this place so lovely, should be the scene of more bloodshed, than any other perhaps on the American continent.

March 30, 1837

Here you behold the fertile valley of the San Antonio – spread out before you like a map surrounded by a range of beautiful eminences, which the river comes leaping by the Alamo and the town over a succession of rapids and flowing on to the south where the hills seem to have left an opening for it to escape and make its way to the great reservoir of waters.
¹³

State of Texas
County of Lavaca

Before me the undersigned personally came Jesse Burnam who states upon oath – That during the war between Texas & Mexico his home & outhouses situated in the County of Fayette were burned by order of Genl Sam Houston – by Col [George W.] Hockley & Capt [William H.] Patton. Affiant being absent at the time – And his house on the Navadad [
sic
] [River] was also burnt during his absence by order of Gen. Houston, by Capt [Benjamin F.] Smith.

That subsequently he had this following conversation with the parties who had set fire to his premises –

Question by affiant to Capt Patton –

I was told you burned my possessions on the Colorado River in Fayette County – I shall come to know the truth of it.

Answer
– I did.

Question
– By what authority?

Answer
– I considered it direct from Gen. Houston – Col. Hawkly [
sic
] second in command came galloping up and told me to put every thing in flames and he assisted me in lighting the fires.

Question
– Will you give me a certificate to that effect?

Answer
– I will.

A certificate embodying the foregoing statement was made by Capt Patton and given to me.

Questions by Affiant to Capt Smith.

I am told you burnt my possessions on the Navadad – Colorado Co.

Answer
I did.

Question
– By what authority?

Answer
– I had a direct order from Genl Houston – He told me to keep before [General Martin Perfecto de] Cos's division and lay the country in waste.

Question
– Will you give me a certificate to that effect?

Answer – I will.

And thereupon Genl [Edward] Burleson at my request wrote the certificate which was signed by Capt Smith.

I made claim under this certificate to the Texas Congress of 1840 for relief and the certificates were filed – The action taken upon my claim will appear by reference to the congressional journals of 1840. The claim went over with unfinished business and the certificates were lost.

After the destruction of my property, I had two men to value the same and go before a justice of peace & make oath to evaluation. This certificate was also filed with my claim & was lost with other certificates. The amount of my claim appears upon Journal of Congress of 1840.

Sworn and subscribed before me this 26th day of March 1874, witness my hand and seal, March 1874, Edward Thomas Notary Public, Travis

Jesse X Burnam

 Mark
¹⁵

To Col. [Domingo de] Ugartechea explaining a transaction or affair which occurred in Gonzales between a citizen of this Municipality [and] a party of soldiers passing through sd town.

Excellent Sir

The Ayuntamiento of the Municipality of Gonzales in order to preserve a good understanding between the Authorities of the country and the citizens of their Municipality have taken upon themselves the task of informing your Excellency of a circumstance which occurred here a few days ago. The facts alluded to are as follows – A party of soldiers amounting to perhaps twenty five men (including officers) arrived in this place on Thursday [September 9, 1835] last and remained until the succeeding day, during which time they took up their residence or quarters in a building in which Mr. [Adam] Zumwalt keeps a store. A citizen Jesse McCoy [Second lieutenant of the Gonzales militia company] without any intention of interfering or interrupting those Soldiers, not knowing anything of their regulations or not thinking of their presence attempted to pass them on his way into the Store room, a Soldier met him and attempted to push him aside without as he says and thinks speaking to him; he still without noticing the movement of the cause attempted to move forward when he received a violent blow from the Soldier with his gun giving him a severe wound on the head and causing the blood to flow profusely. Desperate consequences would have followed but for the interference of some peaceable and well disposed citizens who were conscious that a small matter might produce great evil in these excited times, and they thought that an individual had better suffer injustice and outrage than that a whole community should involve themselves by the acts which the excitation of the moment might occasion. This representation is not made to your Excellency for the purpose of obtaining satisfaction or revenge for the outrage and insult this offered to one of our citizens but to prevent misrepresentation and consequently a misunderstanding which might arise between the authorities and the people of this Municipality. For your further information we would remark that [the] house spoke of was occupied by the soldiers without any permission from the owner or any other person interested in it.

With sentiments of the highest consideration

We have the honor to be Yours etc.

Andrew Ponton [Alcalde]
¹⁶