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| Johnson |
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Urrea's division, entering Texas by way of Matamoros, consisted
of the cavalry regiment of Cuatla, the infantry battalion of Yucatan and
some permanent militia-in all about one thousand men. Urrea's dragoons
found Johnson, Grant, and Morris with about 97 men at and near San Patricio.
The Texans had carelessly divided their forces, and both were surprised
by Urrea and, with the latter's usual dispatch, all were butchered, except
five or six, one of which was Johnson, who escaped. |
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| Placído Benavides |
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Placído Benavides, a prominent, wealthy Victoria
Mexican in Grant's command, was among those who escaped. He hurried to
Goliad and brought to Fannin the first news of the immediate approach
of Urrea. A companion of Benevides, one Reuben R. Brown who came to Texas
with the Georgia Volunteers, was wounded and captured, but was not executed.
He afterwards attributed his escape from death to the intercession of
a priest, and a Mexican lady, Señora Alavez, who was later to be
known as the Angel of Goliad. These two Christian souls interceded for
him as he was about to be shot, and through their pleas his life was spared. |
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