Read Across the Rio Colorado Online
Authors: Ralph Compton
Across the Rio Colorado (36 page)
“There'll be need for them later on,” McQuade said. “Our victory couldn't have been more complete.”
Triumphant, they returned to Houston's fort. Texans all, Santa Anna's soldiers referred to them as
los Diablos Tejanos,
the Texas Devils. In a fight that Sam Houston led to the finish, they saw the Stars and Stripes raised as Texas achieved statehood, and when the dust finally settled over the bloody plains of south Texas, they claimed their land grants along the Rio Colorado â¦
los Diablos Tejanos,
the Texas Devils. In a fight that Sam Houston led to the finish, they saw the Stars and Stripes raised as Texas achieved statehood, and when the dust finally settled over the bloody plains of south Texas, they claimed their land grants along the Rio Colorado â¦
T
he Texas Colony, founded in 1822 by Stephen Austin, fell on hard times after Steve Austin's death in 1836. After the bloody disaster at the Alamo in 1836, and the victorious retaliation by Texans at San Jacinto, Mexican-American relations went from bad to worse.
he Texas Colony, founded in 1822 by Stephen Austin, fell on hard times after Steve Austin's death in 1836. After the bloody disaster at the Alamo in 1836, and the victorious retaliation by Texans at San Jacinto, Mexican-American relations went from bad to worse.
Samuel Houston was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, on March 2, 1793. After distinguished service in the United States Army, Houston resigned in 1818 to study law. He opened a law office in Lebanon, Tennessee, and in the years to follow, he served in a variety of elected offices, including two terms in Congress and as governor of the state of Tennessee. Houston made his first trip to Texas in 1832, to report on Indian affairs to his old friend, Andrew Jackson. While he was in Texas largely as an Indian agent, Houston was caught up in the rising storm of opposition to Mexico. As the threat of conflict grew stronger, Houstonâwith a commanding presence and an ability to raise confidence and enthusiasmâquickly rose to prominence.
In the years that followed, Sam Houston twice served as governor of the Republic of Texas. On February 19, 1846, the Lone Star flag of the Republic of Texas was lowered for the last time, and in its place flew the stars and stripes. On February 21, the Texas Legislature elected Sam Houston to the United States Senate, where he represented
Texas for fourteen years. Houston was inaugurated governor of Texas on December 21, 1859, but in 1861âopposing secessionâhe was forced out of office.
Texas for fourteen years. Houston was inaugurated governor of Texas on December 21, 1859, but in 1861âopposing secessionâhe was forced out of office.
Between 1833 and 1855, Santa Anna became dictator of Mexico three different times.
Brilliant blue shards of lightning rippled across the rain-swept sky. There was a resounding crack as a bolt struck a tree somewhere close, and the smell of brimstone was strong. Thunder had become continuous, each rising crescendo sounding like an echo of the last.
There was nothing they could do except wait. Then, when the storm seemed to reach the very peak of its fury, lightning struck in their midst. The concussion was so severe that it robbed McQuade of his hearing for a few seconds, but his horrified eyes saw one of the wagons disappear in a blinding flash. There was the quick smell of brimstone, of burning flesh. Then his hearing returned. A woman screamed. McQuade was out of his wagon, running â¦
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ACROSS THE RIO COLORADO
ACROSS THE RIO COLORADO
1
Texas was admitted to the Union in 1845.
2
The “'possum belly” or “cooney” was slung beneath the wagon to carry dry firewood.
3
Springfield, Missouri was founded in 1835.
4
Malaria is an infectious febrile disease now known to be transmitted by the anopheles mosquito.
5
The town, originally named Waterloo, was founded in 1838. The name was changed to honor Stephen Austin, Father of Texas. Austin became the state capital in 1850.
6
In the vicinity of the present-day cities of Fort Worth and Dallas.
7
Lake Buchanan, near the present-day town of Lampasas, Texas.
8
A good horse, rested often, can cover as much as five miles in half an hour, over flat ground and lesser slopes. A slow gallop doesn't tire a horse as quickly.
Trail map design by L. A. Hensley.
Copyright © 1997 by Ralph Compton.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
ACROSS THE RIO COLORADO
St. Martin's Paperbacks are published by St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
eISBN 9781429903158
First eBook Edition : March 2011
St. Martin's Paperbacks edition/March 1997
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