The general commandant sends a detailed report of the battle he fought on August 18, 1813, in the country near the Medina, against the Anglo-Americans under the command of the rebel José Alvarez de Toledo; and asks for rewards for his officers and men.46
Most Excellent Sir,
The ever victorious and invincible arms of our Sovereign, aided by the powerful hand of the god of war, have gained the most complete and decisive victory over the base and perfidious rabble commanded by certain vile assassins ridiculously styled a general and commanders.
Most Excellent Sir, I sent you information from the Villa of Laredo on the day I marched out with my army for this point to punish the rabble who occupied it. I accomplished this purpose by means of the requisite order which I had previously issued to Colonel Don Ignacio Elizondo commanding him to set out with his division and join me in the place called Cañada de Caballos, where, according to a careful calculation, I thought he would be able to do so. He did it, except that I had to wait four days for him. When he had joined me, I united his infantry and cavalry with mine to form a single army with these two divisions. This made the total number of my army eighteen hundred and thirty men, consisting of a force of six hundred and thirty-five infantry and eleven hundred and ninety-five cavalry. We continued our march from this point, after having halted for a few days' rest so that, during this time, we might explain and teach the most necessary and indispensable formations and maneuvers in an action or battle. It was necessary to do so, as Elizondo's men lacked this training. Finally, in this manner, I continued my march, filled with the greatest confidence because I noticed among my troops a decided enthusiasm and bravery, a remarkable serenity of mind, and an unusual patience with which they bore the fatigue of a march so long and painful, rendered so by the unfortunate time— it being summer—in which they passed through an unsettled country so extensive as that beyond Laredo, and in a most pitiful state of nakedness. The greater part of the troops were even bare-footed and bare-legged; many had only a breech-clout. I observed also a most eager desire to engage, as soon as possible, the wicked rabble who had become famous on account of their cruel and unworthy deeds, and their pride resulting from the victories they had previously gained. By these means as well as by their strength and discipline, they had made themselves feared. My troops had not long to wait, Most Excellent Sir, for the end so anxiously desired.
On the sixteenth of last August, I camped with my army a league and a half this side of the place called Rancherías (having observed throughout the whole march the strictest precaution and vigilance which military skill teaches). From this point, I sent out a corporal and four soldiers as spies to reconnoiter the country and note the movements of the enemy with orders to advance as far as this capital, if on their journey, they heard no rumors of the mob; for I had no information whatsoever of their location. But the corporal and four soldiers found numerous traces of people on foot and on horseback, and they, therefore, returned to give me the proper information. In view of this, on the eighteenth, before starting on my march—which I directed toward the River Medina, proposing to change my course in order to cross it by a different road from the direct one as I remembered that this was a cañon which would give an advantage to the enemy if they wished to form an ambush in the wooded space covering it—I sent forward Lieutenant-Colonel Don Ignacio Elizondo with one hundred and eighty cavalrymen directing him to proceed with the greatest caution and vigilance until he saw the enemy, and then to make, as far as possible, a careful observation of their number, but not to engage them in battle unless he thought himself strong enough to inflict an exemplary punishment upon them; and, if not, to keep up a slow fire while retreating to give me prompt information that I might make my plans. I informed him of the place at which I had arranged to cross the Medina River, and of the road, which was a short-cut, so that he might follow it in his retreat until he joined me. He set out at five o'clock in the morning with the number of officers necessary for the force he had, among them being two of my aides-de-camp Lieutenants, Don Luis Gómez de Castrejón of the first Vera Cruz battalion, and Don José María Céspedes of the veteran presidial company of Bahía del Espíritu Santo, who came to me and begged to be allowed to join this expedition. At a short distance from the above mentioned Medina River, Alferes Don Francisco López was separated from the main party. He was seen by the enemy, and they instantly fired a volley at him; but, by a miracle, no damage was done him. In view of this occurrence, Elizondo instantly (and it must have been about eight o'clock) commanded that the line be extended and that answer be made with a rapid and well directed fire. The enemy charged bravely and with their whole force so that a circle was almost formed about him. Elizondo, seeing this arrangement, the large number of the enemy, and remembering my orders, commanded his troops to turn about and begin their retreat, keeping up a regular fire. As fast he he gave ground, the enemy advanced. During this maneuver, after a short space of firing on both sides and various discharges of cannon by the enemy, the firing stopped, because our troops faced the open country. This was as much to see the movements of the enemy more clearly as to take breath or rest from the fatigue that had been endured so long. Almost immediately, the rabble began to direct their fire with more vigor and force, advancing boldly. They were calmly answered by our troops who were again forced to retreat in the same manner as in the first engagement. At this juncture, Elizondo sent me the information necessary for precautionary measures and plans. I instantly responded by ordering my line extended and placed in battle array, and I sent to his relief one hundred and fifty cavalrymen and two 1½-pound cannon under the orders of Reverend Lieutenant-Colonel Don Juan Manuel Zambrano. The engagement was soon ended, the enemy having suffered some losses. On our side, two soldiers were wounded, one gravely; and some horses were injured. My aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Don José María Céspedes, had been detailed to give me private information of what had happened. He followed orders exactly; and, on his way, met with the reinforcement I had sent out under the command aof Lieutenant-Colonel Zambrano, whom I reminded of my orders to Elizondo not to undertake any action upon any pretext whatsoever, but to continue luring the enemy on as I was following him with my army. I followed after him, but abandoning my first plan, I ordered the army to form in line; and resolved to attack the rascals. This officer joined Elizondo, and his arrival was noted by the enemy. They thought it was the entire strength of the army for they believed it to be my troops. They, therefore, resolved to pursue Elizondo even more hotly. Under this misapprehension, they charged again, showing even greater bravery, and keeping up a slow fire. The valiant troops of our beloved Sovereign hesitated not a moment in answering them, accompanying their fire with a cannonade which was kept up until the enemy's force could not advance from fear of the damage they might suffer from our balls. Elizondo beat a hasty retreat. As he was absolutely unable to resist so strong a force, to have attempted such a thing, would have been to sacrifice his whole division, to fail in carrying out my orders, and consequently to place this hard fought battle in doubt. In the meantime, I continued my march with my army drawn up in column, when I saw the haste with which Elizondo was retreating to join me with his troops (at which moment was formed the line of battle). He had been forced to abandon the two small cannon to the enemy. Believing that they were already glorious victors and masters of the field, and had only to take the spoils—as they thought our troops were fleeing—they advanced bravely yet blindly; but found themselves confronted by the main body of our army formed in line for attack, with the artillery placed on the flanks of the cavalry. This surprised the rabble, and halted them for the purpose of restoring order. They did this, being aided by the great number of oaks with which the country was covered. Having formed in perfect line—and this was seen by the company of guerillas, under the command of the lieutenant of the regiment from Vera Cruz, Don Pedro Lemus, which I had detailed to reconnoiter—they advanced upon my army with great bravery until they came within pistol shot; but my courageous and intrepid soldiers, following my orders given through their brave commanders and officers, began to return a lively, sustained, and well directed fire which was answered in like manner. So there was a very hard fought battle, reaching the extreme of having their artillery placed withing forty paces of our. We kept up this fierce struggle for more than two hours and still no decisive result was recognized by either side. Seeing such strong and obstinate resistance, and the extreme damage which our fire did their troops, their excommunicate chief, José Álvarez de Toledo, tried to surprise us on the right and the left wings and in the rear. But he was not so quick in his movements as I was in commanding an advance guard sent out on both wings and a considerable picket force detailed as a rear-guard, under the command of the aide-de-camp of the major-general, Alferes Don Vicente Arreola, to take charge of the supplies and horses. I did not form a square as my force was not sufficient for this maneuver. Most Excellent Sir, much advantage was obtained by this prompt arrangement, because the mischievous designs and the fire of the enemy were met on all four sides. After three and a half hours of this determined and hard fought conflict, it was seen that victory was on our side; for the most obstinate Anglo-Americans had been completely routed. Seeing this, I ordered the music to start up and my drummer to beat the reveille. This had such an effect on my troops and reanimated them so much that it seemed as if they were going to advance. Confusion now seized upon the enemy; and they began to abandon their artillery. I, therefore, ordered a detachment to advance on the right to seize it. The commander of the infantry, Don Antonio Elosua, advanced on the left with another detachment for the same purpose. At the same time, I ordered the cavalry to set out in pursuit of those who had already fled. They did this with intrepidity and decision, putting to death as many as they found on the way, and penetrating as far as the Medina River. Consequently, after four hours of this bloody battle we were masters of the enemy's ground. I therefore ordered it to be examined, and the arms, the park of artillery, and whatever else might be found to be collected. This was done with the greatest minuteness, under the direction of the infantry and cavalry commanders, my aides-de-camp, and the other officers, who reported to me that the field was covered with dead bodies to the number of about a thousand. The greater part were Americans, among them being the son of General Wilkinson, Colonel Menchaca, and many other officers of the rabble. The field was covered with many wounded as has been verified by numerous reports. Their arms, their park of artillery, prisoners (who have been executed as a just punishment for their crimes), and whatever else was found were seized.
Report No. 1, which I respectfully enclose to Your Excellency, shows what was taken from the enemy during the battle on the eighteenth and likewise upon entering this city; and No. 2 shows the loss which was sustained on our part.
In order to make sure of the seizure of those who fled early in the action—principally the Tonkawas, Taovayases, Tawakanas, and the Lipans who were the first—I sent out Lieutenant-Colonel Don Ignacio Elizondo with a force of two hundred cavalrymen to apprehend them, ordering him to come to this city for that purpose, and to take possession of it, of the cannon which were left, and of whatever else the rabble might have saved from the property they had stolen. He fulfilled his commission perfectly and to my entire satisfaction; for on his way he seized some prisoners, and likewise captured many in the city who had escaped during the action and other rascals who are usually included among the malefactors composing such an army. He also seized the cannon. He found only a few true and faithful vassals of our Sovereign and some supplies all of which has been of but little value in view of the fact that upon his arrival, a few of the officers who had fled, made off with their families carrying away the best of everything as they had arranged to do in case they lost the battle. Therefore, the property found was for the most part that belonging to Salcedo, Herrera, and Captain Arcos—victims sacrified by the wicked cruelty of this band of rascals—and these were turned over to their representatives and son.
Most Excellent Sir, with only sixteen hundred brave, intrepid and invincible soldiers—since the rest were employed in guarding the horses and supplies—I had the satisfaction of engaging three thousand, two hundred of the enemy. And they were well-armed throughout, full of pride, well disciplined, and versed in military tactics. This was due as much to the previous military training of the traitorous Spanish soldiers and to that learned from the Anglo-Americans as to the instruction recently given by their rebel leader, José Álvarez de Toledo, to groups of these wicked peasants. Toledo's skill and talent are known since they are proved by the place he held under the Sovereign as lieutenant of the navy, by the battles he has fought, and by the office he held as deputy to the Córtes from the Island of Santo Domingo. But the bad temper, the wicked conduct, and evil inclinations of this traitor led him to this place. Therefore Your Excellency, will consider the great state of discipline of this rabble as compared to the forces employed in the present rebellion.47 For, however much ability as a commander the officer in charge may have, of still greater value is the discipline which enthusiasm enfuses among his subordinates who are stimulated by his example.
The cunning of the traitorous Toledo operated in such a manner that by it and by his tricks he gained the affection and high regard of the army which occupied this city. Therefore, he supplanted the rascally Bernardo Guiterrez to such an extent that the latter had to resign his generalship and go the United States. The command fell to Toledo, and, therefore, his force was augmented by the outlaws from the neutral ground.
On the day after the expedition of Lieutenant-Colonel Don Ignacio Elizondo, I marched with my army to this city which I entered without incident. Here I at once learned of the flight of some of the leaders who, with their families, their supplies, and various rascals, had fled, as did the traitor José Álvarez de Toledo (reported wounded). I therefore ordered the above mentioned lieutenant-colonel, Don Ignacio Elizondo ,to set out with five hundred men, instructing him to march to Nacogdoches, attack that place, and to see, if on his way, he could succeed in apprehending any of the fugitives. The result of this to date is shown by a report enclosed. I must remind Your Excellency that I entrusted this officer with the principal expeditions not because the others with me lacked equal skill and willingness, but because of the knowledge he has of the country. In fact, the most skillful of them all, is Lieutenant-Colonel Don Cristóbal Domínguez, but he performs the duties of quarter-master and major-general of the army.
As a result of the defeat which the enemy suffered, the first who fled carried the news to the presidio of Bahía del Espíritu Santo; and hence the small number of the rabble who were there left at once. Therefore the large number of royalists living there were able to seize only the slow ones who did not flee with the rest. Eleven of them were put to death and due information was sent me. This I received on my way to this city. For this reason, I sent out from this place eighty men for the protection and regulation of this presidio under the orders of the captain of the cavalry from Nuevo Santander, Don Luciano García.
Most Excellent Sir, in spite of my limited abilities, I have found no difficulty in making clear my narrative thus far; but I can not find words to picture to Your Excellency the bravery, intrepidity, determination, enthusiasm, patriotism, and good order of the officers and troops which I have the great honor to command. For, however much I may say, I think that still I do not succeed, considering to what extent such praiseworthy incidents as those of the eighteenth which have given renown to this most wonderful army, proved the worth of my men. I will, therefore, omit a detailed mention of them as I am persuaded that from the foregoing and in view of the fierceness of the battle, a proper and judicial judgment will be formed. Hence, to a certain extent I avoid taking Your Excellency's time which is so valuable considering the present state of affairs, the successful outcome of which demands your best and most careful consideration. Therefore in the discharge of my duties and in order not to lose sight of the justice which would be neglected should I fail to do so, I recommend, particularly, to Your Excellency, Colonel Don Cayetano Quintero captain of the cavalry of the province of Nuevo Santander, second officer of my army, and commander of the right wing of the cavalry, who, in addition to his extraordinary merits and previous services, proved his bravery and his ability in maneuvering his wing upon this occasion. He was wounded in the left arm and bruised on the breast. I recommend to you Lieutenant-Colonel Don Cristóbal Domínguez, assistant inspector of these provinces, who performs the duties of quarter-master and major-general of the army. Since holding this office, he has discharged his duties to my entire satisfaction, in the same manner as in all former positions. He proved his valor in this action for he kept watching the lines even in the thick of the fight in order that he might maintain order and transmit my commands. I recommend my aides-de-camp Lieutenant Don Luis Gómez de Castrejón of the Vera Cruz regiment of infantry, Lieutenants Nicolás del Moral; Don Juan María Martínez; and Don José María Céspedes of the presidial company of Bahía del Espíritu, who were no less worthy than the others; for, even in the heat of battle, they too went up and down the lines to communicate my orders. This they did with coolness and bravery. Castrejón participated in all the movements led by Elizondo except the last engagement at Nacogdoches, while Céspedes took part in the first. I recommend the commander of the Vera Cruz battalion of infantry, Captain Don Antonio Elosua, who has on various occasions proved his valor, intrepidity, and willingness. He did so for me on this occasion, most efficiently ordering his battalion and encouraging his soldiers. He advanced with a detachment from his battalion and seized the enemy's artillery on the left. I recommend Brevet Captain Don Antonio Zárate for his zeal in sustaining and encouraging his troops; for, in spite of having been wounded in his right thigh, he did not even discontinue his duties. I recommend Lieutenant Don José María Hernández, Don Antonio Santa Anna, and Don Pedro Lemus who conducted themselves with great bravery, the latter having placed himself at the head of his company after having served in the guerilla troop. I recommend Don Cenobio de la Chica of the same rank; second-lieutenants Don José Ybarra, Don José Nieto, and Don José Turincio. The last managed his troops with skill and was one of the first to carry out my order for forming the advance guard. I recommend the second lieutenant of the Tula volunteer company of infantry, Don Pedro Zepeda, who with his company in no point fell behind the Vera Cruz battalion; the brevet second-lieutenant, Don Francisco de la Hoz, who in spite of a wound in his left thigh led his company to within three hundred paces of the enemy on foot, not being willing to be taken up, as was offered by his superior commander. In his rank I recommend Don Francisco Arizmendi and Don José Torres. All of the rest of the commanders of the battalion conducted themselves with honor, the most noticeable being Don Juan García and Alferes Don Tomás de Oquillas. The latter was slightly wounded. I recommend the artillery officer, Don Francisco del Corral, captain of the Vera Cruz regiment, who in addition to his merits and previous services, on this occasion, proved to me his valor, calmness, and willingness in the management of the troops he had under his charge, maneuvering them with the greatest boldness and rapidity in firing. During the four hours that the action lasted nine hundred and fifty shots were fired. They were marked by way of precaution and therefore the number was known. These were fired from seven cannon; for, although at first, the number was eleven, two had been taken by the enemy and two dismounted. I recommend the sergeant of the royal artillery, Brevet-Alferes Don Francisco Castro, who likewise fought and was injured; and the lieutenant-colonel of the army, Don Ignacio Elizondo, commander of the left wing, who conducted himself with the greatest courage and bravery. In addition to the movements which this report records him as leading, he worked hard to encourage the troops under his command, and distinguished himself particularly by the success with which he led out his cavalry against the enemy, managing in every particular with the greatest skill.48 I recomment all the other officers of the cavalry, Captains Don Ignacio Alcalá, Don Manuel Zozaya, Don Miguel Paredes (who was wounded), Don José María Torralba, Don José de Jesús Rodríguez, Don Ignacio Pérez, Don Francisco del Prado, Don Luciano García, Don Féliz Pérez, Don Nicolás Benites, Don José Antonio Flores, Don José Ignacio Treviño, Don Isidro de la Garza, Don Manuel de Oca, Don Vicente Flores; Lieutenants Don Miguel Serrano, Don Andrés Barragán, Don Rafael Doria, Don Matías and Don José María Ximenes, Don Vicente Blanco, Don Jesús García, Don Juan José Elguezabal, Don José María Guillén, Don Andrés Farías; Alfereses Don José Antonio Benavides, Don Pedro García (who was wounded), Don José María Nabagra, Don Francisco de la Garza, Don Francisco López, Don Gabriel de Arcos, Don Valentín Rubio, Don Manuel de la Garza, Don Matías Guillén, Don Juan José Sánchez, Don Enrique Villareal, Don Fernando Rodríguez, Don Ramón Espinosa, Don Narciso Rodríguez, Don Manuel Barragán, Don Ignacio Treviño; the brevet-alferess Don José María Zamora, Don Manuel Nogara, Don Vicente Arreola, Don Domingo García, Don Jose Cavazos; the cadets Don Manuel Ruiz (who was wounded), Don Domingo Ugartechea, and Don Cayetano Garza. All these conducted themselves with courage, ardor, and enthusiasm when ordering their troops and otherwise fulfilling their duties. I, therefore, do not mention any of these individually. I recommend Reverend Lieutenant-Colonel Don Juan Manuel Zambrano, who conducted himself in the same manner, and who was wounded; the surgeon-major of the army, Don Miguel Pagés, who more than succeeded in proving his valor. He carried off the wounded from the ranks when, on account of the gravity of their injuries they were down; and, having carried them in his arms a short distance, he put them down together; and then calmly proceeded with his ministrations, acting as an officer by re-forming and encouraging the troops, and even as a common soldier by carrying cartridges for the men. I recommend Chaplains, Bachelor Don Miguel Campos; the curate of this city, Don José Dario Zambrano; Don Manuel Camacho; Don Andrés Malano; Don Francisco Treviño; Don Florentino Ramos; and Don José Antonio Valdés who vied with each other in performing the duties of their office. I recommend the sergeant of the first orderly company, Tiburcio Garza, and the corporal of the Nuevo Santander militia, Mateo Sotello who saved my life; for, when my corporals were behind me the former saw one of the enemy aiming at me. They advised me instantly, and I moved. In short, Most Excellent Sir, everyone has proved his love, loyalty, patriotism, and valor in defending the sacred rights of our beloved Sovereign, and of our dear country on this occasion which was really a most interesting one. They, consequently, deserve the recompense the country and the government representing it knows so well how to bestow generously upon its loyal and faithful servitors. The valor, calmness, and intrepidity with which the troop fought is inexpressible, reaching its highest point in the infantry. Some of them, even when wounded by bullets, did not wish to leave the ranks; and, in fact, did not do so, until so weak from the loss of blood that they fell. Others, having as many as two bullet wounds, continued until they received another. By this they completely eclipsed their former glory. The cavalry also conducted itself with no less bravery. Its heroes deserves the most marked attention, and are worthy of the highest eulogy and commendation. I can not but recommend to Your Excellency ,the families of the brave men who sacrificed their lives on the field of honor, in order that you may grant them such rewards as are due them.
God guard Your Excellency many years, Head-quarters, San Antonio de Béxar, September 13, 1813, I am, Sir, Joaquin Arredondo. (Rubric) The Most Excellent Señor Viceroy, Don Félix María Calleja.49
Note—In addition to the above there was taken one medicine cart, two banners, two standards, twenty-six arrobas of iron, six arrobas and twenty-three pounds of steel. During the battle 112 prisoners were taken. On this, and the following day, they were shot. On the way to this city and in it 215 were captured. Those deserving death, on account of their crimes, were shot. The less culpable were sent to prison as soon as the prisoners were collected at the Trinity. The total number was therefore 327, not including the wretches at Bahía and Trinity. Seven of the cannon taken in the action were three pounders. Headquarters, Bexar, September 13, 1813. Joaquin de Arredondo (Rubric).51
Note.—Colonel Don Cayetano Quintero, Lieutenant-Colonel Don Manuel Zambrano, Captain Don Luciano García, Don Miguel Paredes, Don Antonio Zárate, Lieutenant Don Pedro García, Alferes Don Tomás de Oquillas, Brevet Second Lieutenant Don Franco. de la Hoz, Don Francisco Castro and Cadet Don Manuel Ruiz are not included in this report, nor one hundred and sixty-five sergeants, drummers, corporals, and soldiers having bruises. In addition to these casualties, one hundred and seventy-three horses were wounded, and one hundred and nineteen were rendered useless.
Head-quarters, San Antonio de Béxar, September 13, 1813. Joaquin de Arredondo.53 (Rubric)54
