Son of San Jacinto Hero Yet Lives Here.

Son of San Jacinto Hero Yet Lives Here.
By Fred Green.

San Antonio Express newspaper, July 15, 1934, Sunday.
In this day and time when historical research is being given impetus by the proposed Texas Centennial Exposition in 1936 there is disclosed the interesting fact that the body of one of San Jacinto's heroes lies on the east bank of the Salado Creek near the Dittmar road. This is the grave of Young Perry Alsbury, who did much to give Texas freedom. Alsbury was born in Hopkinsville, Ky., in 1814, moved to Texas in the spring of 1820 with his parents, he being the youngest of the ten children. They settled in Brazoria on the Brazos River.
When he was a young man of 22, Alsbury joined Captain Carnes Cavalry, better known as "Deaf Smith's spy company." There was no question but what Deaf Smith knew more about the lay of the land in and around the San Jacinto battle grounds, than any man in Houston's army. So when he went to Houston and told him that unless the bridge over Vince's Bayou was burned, the enemy could keep on getting reinforcements and in case of defeat would cross the bridge and escape, only to await for more reinforcements and come back.
Houston agreed with this, but how was this to be done? "You will have to pass within 100 yards of the Mexican cavalry and they will cut you to pieces," said General Houston. Deaf Smith told him that if he would permit him to take six men, he would burn the bridge or perish in the attempt.
When Deaf Smith returned to his little company of about 35 men, he told them General Houston consented to the attempt to burn the bridge over Vince's Bayou, and that he could take six men. No sooner said that a voice cried out, "I'll go with you, Mr. Smith." The company turned about to see hardly more than a youth speaking up. Not a big broad shouldered or rough individual as one might imagine, just a young fellow or average size, but his little black eyes told the story. He was not afraid of the whole of Santa Anna's army. And that was Y. P. Alsbury, first to head the list of volunteers for the dangerous mission.
It is history that Vince's bridge was burned, and Deaf Smith did not loose a man in this adventure. Soon thereafter the now famous Battle of San Jacinto gave Texas its liberty from the Mexican yoke. The burning of the bridge had been a strategic move.
Shortly after the Battle of San Jacinto, Y. P. Alsbury came to San Antonio and in 1845 he went into Mexico with General Scott. He was wounded in the Battle of Palo Alto. After that war he came back to San Antonio, and was married here in 1847, and early in the spring of 1848 he moved to the east bank of the Salado Creek just north of the Dittmar road, and made this his home. His mother then moved from Brazoria and made her home with him. He raised four children, their names were Lea Jane, Thomas Jefferson, Y. P. 3rd, and Mary Ann. All these children are dead except T. J. Alsbury, who is still living. Y. P. 3rd was the father of Bill and Tex., of this city. Y. P. Alsbury died November 19, 1877, and was buried only a few yards from the home he loved. A huge pecan tree marks the head of his grave. To his right lies the body of his wife, and to his left is that of his mother.
Thomas J. Alsbury, now 83 years old, and residing at 143 Anderson Street, is one of the rarely few first generation children of the Texas heroes of near a century ago. He was born in the old home on the Salado Dec. 8, 1851. He recalls vividly the days of his youth where there were thrills a plenty and which fell to the lot of the hardy pioneers.

THE SECOND FLYING COMPANY OF ALAMO DE PARRAS Š1996,1997, Randell Tarin. All Rights Reserved.