Rosalie Hart Priour Autobiography "Adventures of a Family of Emigrants" with notes and commentary by historian Frank Wagner (indicated in green).
Chapter 21
Fortunately, the quartermaster stationed at Matagorda had sent three or four boats to carry what ammunition was [at] the Point [Port Lavaca] to Matagorda, and all the women and children were taken aboard. As we were leaving a soldier gave my little sister a five dollar gold piece and another threw us a blanket. They saw that we had neither money nor bedding and felt sorry for us.
We left the Point about 12 o'clock but the hotel keeper did not wish to abandon his home as long as it was possible to remain, however he took the precaution to put the most valuable of his things in a boat belonging to himself and moored her at the wharf ready to go aboard when the enemy would appear. Guards were stationed so as to give warning. At one o'clock, the dinner was on the table when the pickets came rushing up to the house with the intelligence that the Mexicans and Indians were in sight and that there was not a moment to be lost -- if they wished to save their lives. All hands went on board the boat as quickly as possible and pushed from the wharf
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Vessels entering into Aransas and Cox's Point during this period are not well known.
Jan. 24, 1836. Col. Fannin landed at Aransas.
Jan. 26, 1836 Invincible landed at Aransas.
In Feb. Emeline was lost in Matagorda Bay.
Feb. 12, 1836, Mattawankeag bound for Matagorda arrived at New Orleans.
Feb. 14, 1836, Caroline discharged cargo at Cox's Point.No Texas records mention the sternwheeled steamer Tensaw on which they left, or the sidewheeled steamer General DeKalb which managed to get to New Orleans.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - They were only a few hundred yards from land when they struck a sand bar, and before they could get the boat afloat the Mexicans fired several volleys at them, but fortunately they were out of musket range, and the Mexican cannon had not yet arrived. They reached Matagorda before we did, our boats being loaded with powder. Every time the bay would be a little rough, we would land on one of the islands in the bay and remain there until it would become calm, for fear of melting the powder. When were one week making the trip and the last three days, we suffered dreadfully for water and provisions, as we had neither a drop of fresh water, or a mouthful to eat except coffee made of salt water, and oysters.
On our arrival at Matagorda, we found everything in confusion. Four men had arrived there who by stratagem had saved their lives when Fannin's company were shot at Laberdee. The way they escaped slaughter was by throwing themselves down among the slain, and pretending to be dead. One of them told us that while they lay there, the Mexicans came up and stabbed them with the point of the bayonet, but they kept perfectly still, not daring even to breathe for fear of discovery.
Mr. [William L.] Hunter, one of those who escaped, told us that he had seen my stepfather shot down with Fannin's men and we had better go to New Orleans. He told us that they lay in among the dead until night and then under cover of darkness they crept through the woods and along the edge of the water in the river until they had gained a sufficient distance to be safe. They still had to use a great deal of caution but could continue their journey more rapidly to a place of safety.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The encounter with William L. Hunter is noteworthy. Hunter was Chief Justice of Goliad at the time of his death. November, 1886.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - When we were informed of Fannin's massacre mother wanted to go back to San Antonio river to get my two stepbrothers but the officers would not listen to her entreaties, as the government had chartered two schooners to take the women and children to New Orleans.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The text refers here to "two stepbrothers" and it appears that one of the three James' sons was lost.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There were not men enough in the country to protect them, and the care of them was too embarrassing. All the merchants were trying to save what they could by putting such things as the Captains would take aboard the schooners, and the rest were thrown into the bay to keep them from falling into the hands of the enemy.
Chapter 20 - Chapter 22