Juan Seguin (3 page)

“Stephen, it’s good to see you. How are you doing?” Don Erasmo asked.

Austin smiled weakly. “I’m doing better now that I’m back among friends.”

Juan stood up and walked over to Austin’s chair. “Tell us about what’s happening in Mexico.”

Austin sighed. He slowly shook his head.” I’m afraid I have nothing good to report, Juan. I went to Mexico hoping to work out a peaceful settlement of our problems. I wasn’t there very long before it became clear to me that we can’t trust Santa Anna. He will only agree to something if it helps him. I don’t think we can reach a peaceful agreement with him.”

Don Erasmo rubbed his chin as he listened to Austin.

“Are you saying we should go to war with Santa Anna, Stephen?”

“Don Erasmo, you know I’m not a soldier. If there is any chance of reaching a peaceful agreement I’m in favor of it. But from what I’ve seen in the last year, there’s no way we can reach an agreement with Santa Anna. I think we have no choice but to fight him.”

Don Erasmo looked down at the floor. Finally he raised his head and smiled at Austin.

“Stephen, I know you’re a person who would look for every way to keep from starting a war. But when someone like you says we have no choice but to go to war against Santa Anna, I have to agree with you. I think we need to get ready to fight.”

“I’ll get some men and begin to scout the countryside,” Juan said. “I think the troops will start to move soon. Is there anyone who can raise and lead an army?”

Austin nodded. “Sam Houston’s in Texas. I saw him the other day. He would be the perfect man to lead our army.”

“Will he do it?” Juan asked.

“I’m sure he will. But first we need to form a government. There will be a meeting at Washington on the Brazos soon. Don Erasmo, we need you and some of your friends there to help to form the government.”

“Of course. I’ll contact some of my friends at once. What are you going to do?”

“I’m going back to San Felipe and then to the meeting at Washington on the Brazos. I’ll see you there.”

After Austin left, Juan and I went outside.

“Do you think anybody will join your group?” I asked.

“Yes. I think we can raise twenty or thirty men easily. You’re joining, aren’t you?”

I nodded. “Sure I am. We’ve been together too long. I can’t let you go running around the country all by yourself. You’d get into too much trouble.”

* * *

Juan was right. He did not have any difficulty raising a company of men. Soon he had scouts riding the prairie in all directions. We gathered information and sent it to the convention. Juan was a good leader. His men liked him and they worked hard for him. He knew many of the people living in the area, and they would give us information when they could.

The government of Mexico sent troops to Texas to try and control the growing movement toward independence. There were small clashes between the soldiers and the Texans, but nothing too serious. One day Juan and I were out riding when we saw a rider coming toward us. As he got closer we could see it was one of our men. He pulled his horse to a stop and tried to catch his breath.

“What’s wrong, Jose?” Juan asked.

The rider took a deep breath. “Juan, you need to get back to the ranch. The men are all there. There’s a battle at Gonzales.”

We rode as fast as we could back to the ranch. As we rode through the gates I could see several men talking excitedly in small groups. We got off our horses and walked up to one of the men.

“Andres, what’s happening?” Juan asked.

Andres took off his hat and wiped his forehead.

“There’s fighting at Gonzales. I’ve been riding around the country telling everyone to go to Gonzales to help fight.”

Juan rubbed his chin. “Why would fighting start now? What caused it?”

“Do you remember the small cannon that the government had given to Gonzales to help them fight the Indians?” Juan nodded.

“The government sent some soldiers to take the cannon back. The people of Gonzales didn’t want to give it back. They made a flag with a drawing of the cannon. The flag said ‘Come and Take It.’”

Juan shook his head. “The last time I saw that cannon it wouldn’t even fire. It doesn’t seem worth starting a war over a broken cannon.”

“The people see it as a symbol. They believe that the Government is taking away their rights. They’ve decided to take a stand over the cannon.”

“Well, I can understand that,” Juan said. “I knew that sooner or later there would be a war. I guess the time is now.” Juan waved to the men standing around the yard. “Mount your horses, my friends. We’re going to help our neighbors in Gonzales keep their cannon.”

The men cheered as they climbed on their horses. We rode as fast as we could, but the fighting was over before we reached Gonzales. The men were disappointed, but Juan spoke to them.

“My friends. Don’t be disappointed. We missed this fight, but I have a feeling that there will be many more. Santa Anna isn’t going to let this battle go unanswered. Go on home. I’ll call you when I find out what’s going on.”

The men rode away. I looked at Juan. He frowned as he watched the men ride off.

“What’s wrong, Juan?” I asked.

“I think that there’s going to be a bad war. Santa Anna will want to punish Texas for fighting him. Most of these men don’t respect Santa Anna. I think that’s a mistake. He’s going to send an army against us. I just hope we’re ready. Come on, Pablo. Let’s go find Stephen Austin.”

* * *

We found Stephen Austin several days later. He was in command of a small army. The camp was full of activity as we stopped in front of Austin’s tent. He smiled as we walked in.

“Juan, it’s good to see you. I was hoping you’d show up.”

“It looks like you are wanting a fight, Stephen,” Juan said.

Austin sat down and rubbed his eyes. “I’m not a fighting man, Juan. You know that. I was asked to take charge of this army and I agreed, but I don’t know how long I can keep command. We need real fighters in the army. That’s why I’m glad to see you.”

Austin wrote a message on a piece of paper. When he had finished he looked up at Juan.

“I have appointed you a captain in the army. I want you to raise a company of men. Get men who know the area well. I want you to scout the countryside and report on any enemy troop movements you see. I know that Santa Anna’s going to come up here with an army. I want to be sure we have plenty of notice before he gets here.”

Juan read the paper Austin had written.

“I can raise a company of men, but I want to take part in the fighting. I don’t want to just be a scout. Texas is my home. I’m ready to fight to defend it from Santa Anna.”

Austin laughed. “I imagine that you’ll get to be in plenty of fights. We need men like you, but it’s important that we know what’s happening down on the border. How soon can you have your company ready?”

“It’ll take a couple of days. They should be here by the end of the week.”

Austin smiled. “Good. By the way, your old friend Jim Bowie is here. I’ve asked him to take Captain Fannin and some troops and go check out the old mission at Concepcion. You might see if he needs any more men.”

Juan smiled. “I think I will. Thanks, Stephen. You can count on me and my company.”

We walked outside the tent. Juan turned to me. “Come on, Pablo. We need to get the men together. We have a war to fight.”

Jim Bowie looked up as we walked into the small room where he sat talking to some other men. He looked tired and he coughed a lot, but he smiled and shook Juan’s hand.

“Juan, it’s good to see you. You too, Pablo. Have a seat. I was just talking to these fellows about a little trip that Stephen Austin wants us to go on for him.”

Juan nodded to the other men. “I’ve just left Mr. Austin. He told me you were going to check out the old mission at Concepcion. He made me a captain and told me to raise a company of men. I came by here to see if we could go with you.”

Jim slapped his hand down on the table. “Didn’t I tell you, Fannin? I told you Austin would get us some more men. These men know this country better than anybody else. With Captain Seguin and his men along, it’ll be easy to get to that old mission and scout it out. We’ll be there and back before the enemy knows we’ve left here.”

Fannin sat back in his chair and shook his head.” I don’t know, Colonel Bowie. I hear Santa Anna has spies everywhere. I think he’s going to have soldiers waiting for us at the old mission.”

Jim turned to Juan.” When will you have your company?”

“I should have the men here in two days.”

“Good.” Bowie turned back to Fannin. “I’ll have Juan and his men scout ahead of us. If there are any enemy soldiers there, he’ll find them.”

Juan stood up. “I need to be going. I have to get the word to my men to come here. I’ll talk to you soon.”

Jim waved as we walked out. “Good by, Juan. I’ll see you in a few days.”

We mounted our horses and rode toward San Antonio. We rode in silence for several miles. Finally I turned to Juan.

“Do you think the men will come?”

Juan smiled. “I know they will. Texas is their home. They know that if Santa Anna takes over, it won’t be good for their families or themselves. Santa Anna is a bad man. Men like him only want what is best for themselves. They don’t care about the rights of others. We have to stop him. All these men will want to stop him.”

We rode a few more miles, then Juan turned to me and yelled, “Come on. I’ll race you to the ranch.”

* * *

The next day we sat behind a table under a tree in Juan’s front yard. The men rode in by themselves or in small groups. Juan talked to them, and all of them signed the paper making them members of the army. I knew most of these men. They had grown up with Juan and me. We had ridden all over the country together. I was glad to have them on my side. I still remember their names: Juan Abamillo, Juan Badillo, Antonio Fuentes, Damiacio Jimenes, Toribio Losoya, and Andres Nava. Others whom I didn’t know also joined. It was getting late, and Juan stood up from the table.

“It’s time to go, men. Let’s get mounted.”

As we were walking toward our horses, a horseman rode into the yard. He walked his horse over to us and stopped. Juan looked at him.

“Hello, Gregorio,” he said.

Gregorio Esparza nodded to Juan. “I got here as fast as I could. My wife didn’t want me to come.”

Juan patted Gregorio’s horse’s neck. “She was right, Gregorio. Your family needs you. Go on back to San Antonio.”

Gregorio’s eyes clouded. “I’m not going home. My place is here. You haven’t been in San Antonio for a while, Juan. Ever since General Cos has brought the army to town, there’s been nothing but trouble. I don’t want my children raised in a place that’s ruled by the army. I’m here to do my part.”

“I understand, Gregorio. But we can do what needs to be done. Go on home. Take care of your children. We’ll take care of General Cos.”

Gregorio sat up straight in his saddle. “I’m not going home. I’m joining the army. If you don’t want me, I’ll go join Bowie or Austin. I want to be in your company, Juan. But if I can’t, I’ll find one that will let me join.”

Juan shook his head and smiled. “All right, Gregorio. I’ll be happy to have you in my company. Well, let’s get mounted. We have to get back to Bowie.”

We rode into the Texan camp and found Jim Bowie sitting in a tent.

“Juan. Glad to see you. I see you have your company.”

Bowie shook Juan’s hand. “We’re ready to go, Jim. What do you want us to do?”

Bowie pointed to a map sitting on his desk. “You know the old mission Concepcion?”

Juan nodded.

“Austin wants me to see what’s there. I think he’s going to attack General Cos in San Antonio. I want you and your men to scout the area before I move my troops up to the mission.”

Juan looked at the map. “When do you want us to go?”

Bowie coughed and wiped his lips with the back of his hand. “Right now. I want to be there by tomorrow evening. Get up there and send word back as soon as you can.”

Juan nodded. “We’ll leave right away. Jim, you need to se a doctor. That cough sounds bad.”

Jim waved at Juan.” I just have a cold. I’ll wait to hear from you.”

In a short time we were riding toward the old mission at Concepcion. We didn’t see anyone until we were close to the mission. An old man was driving a small cart that was being pulled by two donkeys. He stopped as we rode up.

“Hello, Rico,” Juan said. “Where are you going?”

The old man took off his hat and wiped his forehead. “I’m going to Gonzales. I have some goods I want to sell there.”

Juan looked around the area. “Rico, have you seen any of General Cos’s soldiers around here?”

The old man shook his head. “Not today. They’re busy in San Antonio. They’re making the old mission into a fort.”

“Which old mission is that, Rico?” Juan asked.

“The one just outside of town. The one they call the Alamo.”

Juan nodded.” Oh yes. I know the one you’re talking about. That old place is in ruins.”

“Yes, but it has strong walls. General Cos expects to be attacked by the Texans. Are you leading the army here, Juan?”

“I’m just checking things out, Rico. Have a good trip to Gonzales.”

We watched as the cart rode out of sight. Juan began to ride toward Concepcion. Soon we were standing next to the old mission. Several men checked the area and reported no enemy soldiers around. Juan called Gregorio Esparza over.

“Gregorio, go back to Jim Bowie. Tell him everything is all right here. He can bring his men.”

Gregorio rode away as Juan turned to the other men.

“Set up a camp. Don’t build a fire. I don’t want the enemy to see the smoke. Pablo and I are going to see what’s going on in San Antonio.”

I felt uneasy as we rode toward San Antonio. We stayed off the main roads and soon we were on a little hill looking down on San Antonio. The streets were filled with people going about their daily business. We rode a little closer and soon we could see the Alamo. Soldiers were working very hard to make the crumbling walls stronger. In the Alamo chapel we could see some men building a dirt ramp so they could fire cannon from the roofless church. We saw General Cos and his staff riding into the Alamo.