|
|
Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 30, 2008 8:58:20 GMT -5
Apparently there were no POWs. The final aritcle of the surrender terms reads:
"18th. The prisoners of both armies, up to this day, shall be put at liberty."
Also note that the document twice refers to "convicts" under Mexican command, who were to leave Texas with Cos.
The following article is a bit puzzling. Mexican soldados were free to remain with Cos or strike out on their own and keep their arms.
"4th. That it is discretionary with the troops to follow their general, remain, or go to such point as they may deem proper: but in case they should all or any of them separate, they are to have their arms, &c."
AW
|
|
|
|
Post by Herb on Jun 30, 2008 10:38:13 GMT -5
Well, this has been as ugly as making sausage, but I think we're gradually getting to an end product,
As the wounded, were considered under parole, under the terms of surrender, and as the terms granted the parolees freedom of movement, it would appear that any wounded that recovered during the two months between Cos' departure and Santa Anna's arrival would probably have been residing in Bexar.
Upon Santa Anna's arrival, as Travis had no right (and certainly wouldn't want the burden) to hold the remaining wounded, they were probably transferred fairly early in the siege.
I wonder if the Esparza account of a Mexican soldato being held by the Texians, and telling them what the bugle signals met, might somehow be related to all this.
|
|
|
|
Post by stuart on Jun 30, 2008 12:40:18 GMT -5
The following article is a bit puzzling. Mexican soldados were free to remain with Cos or strike out on their own and keep their arms. "4th. That it is discretionary with the troops to follow their general, remain, or go to such point as they may deem proper: but in case they should all or any of them separate, they are to have their arms, &c." AW That bit is actually straightforward. Cos' surrender was actually precipitated by James Grant's Federalist colleague, Colonel Gonzales, who persuaded a number of the cavalry units to defect. Those "separating" from Cos were signing up under Grant and Gonzales as Federalistas and the cavalry at least went down to the Rio Grande with Gonzales late in December. |
|
|
|
Post by stuart on Jun 30, 2008 12:45:37 GMT -5
Well, this has been as ugly as making sausage, but I think we're gradually getting to an end product, As the wounded, were considered under parole, under the terms of surrender, and as the terms granted the parolees freedom of movement, it would appear that any wounded that recovered during the two months between Cos' departure and Santa Anna's arrival would probably have been residing in Bexar. Upon Santa Anna's arrival, as Travis had no right (and certainly wouldn't want the burden) to hold the remaining wounded, they were probably transferred fairly early in the siege. I wonder if the Esparza account of a Mexican soldato being held by the Texians, and telling them what the bugle signals met, might somehow be related to all this. The latter is certainly possible. If Mendoza was held in the Alamo during the siege he probably had a batman with him. As to the others I still reckon they were in Bexar all the time. While the Texians had a responsibility to look after the enemy wounded they had no obligation to do so personally. remember there was no such thing as a proper medical service at this time. Military units had doctors/surgeons attached who acted as general practitioners and were adequate enough for everyday ailments and injuries. Battle casualties invariably required getting the civpop to take them in and while a consciencious military doctor might do the rounds their actual nursing care and accomodation was down to the locals. |
|
|
|
Post by elcolorado on Jun 30, 2008 17:01:17 GMT -5
Just a little bit more sausage to make.
Since none of the know accounts, tails, stories, diaries, testimony, etc. mention anything about the transfer of soldados from the Alamo back to Mexican control, there is no reason to believe it occurred. And there is little reason to believe all or even some of the wounded Mexicans remained in the Alamo for ten weeks. Right up to February 23rd.
The Jameson letter that mentioned Col Mendoza, was dated 18 January. There is no evidence that Mendoza or any other Mexican soldado was present in the Alamo when Santa Anna arrived. The only possible exception to this would be the prisoner referred to by Esparza. And that story is questionable.
I think it more likely many of them left the Alamo as they healed. The Texains were struggling to provide for themselves, so I find it unlikely they were supporting convalescing Mexicans. The recovered soldados, at some point, were going to have to fend for themselves. So maybe some of them hired out to one of the many local ranches in an effort to be self-sufficient. Hey, they had to eat.
I imagine some of the soldados could have been taken in by sympathetic tejano families. There were, after all, some Mexican loyalists in the area. And some ex-soldados probably just drifted about.
With Santa Anna's arrival in Bexar, it's reasonable to assume some of the lingering soldados returned to the fold. Especially those who were down on their luck and had no place to go.
The truth is, practically any scenario in regards to the movements of the paroled soldados is possible. I mean, without evidence, it's all just speculation.
But I don't think we can say there was any kind of transfer that took place, especially during the siege. There just isn't any evidence to support the conclusion.
Glenn
|
|
