Rosalie Hart Priour Autobiography

"Adventures of a Family of Emigrants" with notes and commentary by historian Frank Wagner (indicated in green).

 

Chapter 19

 

We had been in Victoria about thirteen days when news came that it was the intention of the Mexicans to attack the town. The place was crowded with women and children, who had arrived from different quarters of the country for protection. They were in the greatest consternation when the news arrived. After that, no one dared to sleep in his house at night, and we all sought the shelter of the brush. There we passed the nights almost afraid to breathe for fear we should be discovered by the enemy. At last, it became necessary to seek some other place of refuge. A guide was sent to us to Demmit's landing on the Guadalupe river.

As I had no fear of death, it was amusing to me to see the consternation depicted on every countenance. I used to laugh at them and say, "We have but one life to lose, and we may as well die now, as at any other time." Santa Anna was then commander-in-chief of the Mexican's army and had sent out a decree to his officers that everything in human shape over ten years of age were to suffer death, and all under that age were to be turned loose in the woods to do the best they could.

It was a perfect reign of terror. None knew the moment that they would be called to their last account, and their little children left to starve.

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The refugees flight from Victoria to Dimmitt's Landing is not attested elsewhere.

 

 

Chapter 18 - Chapter 20