Winds of Valor

By Carol Harp Norman

Winds of Valor is the second book in historian Carol Harp Norman's "The Texas Wind" series. It is the story of James Campbell, one of the first Texas Rangers. He worked valiantly during the conflict of The War of Independence from Mexico and to fight warring Indians in his mission to bring justice to Texas between 1831-1840. Here is an up close, authentic look at Texas' gallant fight against Mexico and an intimate study of the battle that raged at the Alamo. This is a story where the heroes stand tall and deserve their treasured place in the unbelievable history that was made in Texas in the 1800's.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Running Quail Press, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9780986270857

Book preview

Chapter I

The Days of Horror

Council House – San Antonio, Texas

March 19, 1840

A bright Texas sun shone down on the streets of San Antonio, a precursor of a beautiful day ahead. However, hovering over the city was an unseen fog that was palatable. Tension was fierce on the day the Comanche people, dressed in their finery and with their faces painted, made their way down the streets of San Antonio.

All eyes were on the twelve chiefs in headdress and beaded buckskin as they rode proudly in front of this spectacular parade. Dust stirred from the hoofs of dozens of Indian horses on the dirt street called Calabosa and the pungent odor of rancid grease paint permeated the air. Comanche squaws, who were dressed in leggings as the men, were followed by their children and a few younger warriors.

When this large band of around sixty-five Comanche arrived in front of the Council House, the chiefs and a medicine man dismounted and pompously stomped inside.

Sergeant, line them up along that wall, yelled Commissioner McLeod and this order was interpreted to the Comanche leaders. The Comanche chiefs lined up and promptly sat down.

Hostile stares were seen and felt from these proud chiefs as they were ordered by people whom they considered to be beneath them.

Hostile stares were returned by the commissioners and military officers who had been fighting and killing warring Comanches for several years. Many had seen their families killed, homes burned and livestock stolen by these chiefs and their tribes.

The Texians had been encouraged and surprised when some influential Comanches visited Colonel Henry Karnes in January seeking peace. Colonel Karnes told them the only possibility for peace would be for them to return Texas settlers who were being held captive. The Comanches agreed to this plan and today was the day for that peace council and return of the captives.

Sergeant, bring in the captives, ordered McLeod.

They are here, sir announced the Sergeant.

The Texians could not hide their astonishment when only two captives were brought into the room. One was a young teenage girl who kept her head bowed and the other a Mexican woman.

Where are the rest of them? yelled Col. McLeod.

This is all they brought with them.

In front of the commissioners stood the teenage white girl who would not look at them and one darker skinned woman who only responded to Spanish.

Young lady, do you speak English?

The girl nodded her head, but didn’t look up. The commissioners turned their attention to the chiefs, who were quite restless and sat staring back at them as though this entire proceeding was a joke.

Please, young lady, come forward so we may talk with you.

The girl inched forward, keeping her head down, hiding her face with her hair.

Young miss, can you look at me? Do you remember English?

Again the girl nodded and very slowly raised her head. Finally, with her will strengthening, she raked her long matted hair away from her face. The commissioners on the panel tried to withhold their gasps as the gruesome reality of her torture was revealed.

Please, tell us your name and where you are from.

A rustle was heard from the sitting chiefs along the wall. They, too, could see the sympathy and anger in the commissioner’s eyes.

My n-n-name is Ma- Ma- Matilda L-L-Lockhart. I was g-grabbed at P-P-Plum C-C-Creek.

How old are you?

I d-don’t know.

Please come closer, sweetheart. You are safe now. We won’t let anyone hurt you. We’ll get you back to your family whom we know love you.

The girl inched forward just a few steps.

Again, please look at us, said Col. McLeod.

Matilda again raised her face toward the commissioners, but also took a quick glance back toward the chiefs.

Matilda, don’t worry about them. We will get you home.

She finally raised her head and looked directly at the commissioners. Some muffled gasps could be heard from these rough and tumble men, but they tried to hide their shock as much as possible.

Matilda, please tell me if there are any other white people being held captive among these Indians.

Matilda was finally feeling more confident in her speech and the shock was over after they had seen her plainly. Her entire nose was burned away to bone. A scab covered the tip of the bone, but open nasal passages and black, burned skin was obvious.

As she spoke, she raised her burned hands and arms to help her try to speak more distinctly. She took a quick glance to the back of the room. Fear clouded her eyes and her petite body shivered.

Yes, sir, I have seen at least fifteen other white captives in the main camp.

Col. McLeod turned and asked, Captain Matthew Caldwell*, would you take Matilda into the home behind us and question her about the other captives? Oh, and take the woman as well.

The woman was told in Spanish to go with Capt. Caldwell. Matthew Caldwell walked behind the captives through the back door and toward Samuel Maverick’s back door.

Hello in there! yelled Capt. Caldwell. Oh, thank you for answering my knock. May I bring our released captives into your home to talk to them in private?

Will we be safe?

Yes, ma’am. The chiefs are still inside the council house surrounded by the army.

Samuel’s wife, Mary looked at Matilda and sympathy melted her heart.

Of course, Captain. A look of deep concern clouded her face. As the captives walked through the door, Mary put her arm around Matilda’s shoulder and led the girl into her home.

Mrs. Maverick, I would like to find out more about the other captives. Capt. Caldwell turned toward Matilda and asked Why did the chief say you and the woman were the only ones they had?

In a quiet whisper, Matilda said, They lied. Less than a moon ago, we were at our main camp and I counted at least fifteen other white people. Most of them were children. They wanted to see how much they could get for me, first.

Why do they lie?

They don’t know I understand their language, but I overheard them saying they could ransom us off one at a time and get more blankets, guns and ammunition.

Mrs. Maverick, could you and your neighbor continue to watch them for us? I’m needed back in the Council House.

Yes Sir, we will do what we can. Please, be careful

Caldwell made his way back through the back door to the Council House. As he entered, numerous commissioners began bombarding him with questions.

They have at least fifteen more white captives in their main camp. Miss Lockhart admitted to hearing them talk about ransoming them one at a time in order to get more guns and ammunition.

Upon hearing this, Col. McLeod turned toward the interpreter and told him to ask, Where are the other captives? We know you have more!

The interpreter translated this and then reported their response.

Chief Muguara says they have brought in the only captives they had and that the other captives belong to other tribes. They say that they are sure these captives can be ransomed for a lot of blankets and ammunition.

His next interpretation, which had been spoken by the arrogant Chief Muguara, was How do you like that answer?

Col. McLeod straightened up in his seat and looked at his soldier by the door. When Col McLeod raised his hand, the soldier opened the door and waved in the troops who had been standing outside. These soldiers lined up in positions against the walls. Col. McLeod told the interpreter to tell the chiefs, We will, according to our former agreement, keep four or five of your chiefs, whilst the others of your people go to your nation and bring all the captives, and then we will pay all you ask for them.

He added, Meanwhile, these chiefs we hold, we will treat as brothers and not one hair of their heads shall be injured. This we have determined, and, if you try to fight, our soldiers will shoot you down.

The interpreter turned pale upon hearing this and told Col. McLeod, You know if I tell them this, they will attempt to escape by fighting.

We are prepared. Tell them anyway, McLeod answered.

As soon as the interpreter translated this message, he quickly rushed by a soldier guarding the door and fled for his life. No sooner had he fled than the Comanche chiefs stood and began fitting arrows in their bows, shouting deafening war-hoops all the while.

Meanwhile, young warriors out in the street had been amusing themselves and the crowd by shooting arrows at money put there by the Texians for entertainment. With no warning, they turned their arrows directly on the citizens and those citizens began shooting the Indians indiscriminately. After an order of fire was given by Captain Howard inside the Council House, the soldiers fired into the midst of the crowd. This first volley killed several Indians and two other Texians. Mayhem now ruled the Council House. Muguara tried to escape by the guard standing in front of the door, but when the guard didn’t move, the chief stabbed him with a knife.

Interestingly, Captain Caldwell had come to the meeting unarmed, but as soon as the fighting began, he wrestled a gun from an Indian and killed him with it. Caldwell then used the butt of the gun to beat another attacking Indian to death. He had been shot through the leg in the first volley, probably accidentally by a soldier. He was assisted back to the Maverick’s home where he was soon treated by Dr. Weidman.

Soon after the eruption of the fight in the Council House, the warring parties spilled out into the streets. The Indians then tried to make their way to the river along Soledad and Commerce streets, but, soldiers pursued and overtook them. Other Indians were shot and killed while trying to swim the river.

After this skirmish, it was discovered that of the sixty-five members of the Comanche party, thirty-five had been killed, including three women and two children. Ten more were wounded, although one Indian escaped and twenty-nine Comanche were taken prisoner. Seven Texians, including a judge, a sheriff and an army lieutenant were also dead.

The next morning, the Texians released an old squaw. She was given a horse and was told to go tell her tribal leaders what had happened. They told her to tell them to bring in all of the captives in order to get their Comanche prisoners released. She said she would, but, after ten days, no one had heard from the Comanche and the Texians knew that the captives had most likely been killed.

As it was later discovered, most of the captives had been killed when the Indians slowly roasted them to death in retaliation for the Council House fight. The Texians wouldn’t realize until much later, this fight led to forty years of unmitigated war between the Texians and the Comanche people and over a period of time, all of the Comanche prisoners escaped.

Dr. Weidman was a Russian surgeon who had been sent over by the Czar of Russia to make scientific observations about Texas and its inhabitants. Following the battle, he boiled two Indian bodies to obtain their skeletons to take back to Russia and then, with no good wishes for the Texians, he brazenly poured the resulting liquid from the boiling bodies into the San Antonio drinking water supply.

* * * * * *

The story you are about to read is a story of brave men and women who immigrated to a foreign country from the United States and other parts of the world, to seek a better life. The times were tough everywhere, but these heroes of Texas’ past have amazing stories which should never be forgotten. The early Texans were soon faced with a three-way war with the Mexicans and Indians. Shocking mistakes were made and atrocities were common, but only true heroes could have had the stamina to withstand the tribulations these early Texans had to endure.

*In this book, I am using the spelling Matthew Caldwell. His gravestone placed by the State of Texas spells it this way. I am aware that many historic documents spell it as Mathew. This is an arbitrary decision on my part and I apologize to anyone who disagrees.

Chapter II

February 19, 1831

Gonzales, Tejas de los Mexico

Exhausted and journey weary, the two men on horseback rode slowly down the dirt trail and the only sound to be heard was the slow and rhythmic plodding of their tired horses beneath them. The men gave the horses their rein to let them go at their own pace. Tiny puffs of dust flew up with each step before settling back down around the horses’ hooves.

Dusk was beginning to paint the western horizon a vivid gold, but dark, undulating clouds toward the north were casting shadows over the small village of Gonzales as the two men approached. Somewhere among the timber and mud cabins, a shutter was banging in the gusty wind. Otherwise, the town was as quiet and still as death.

Where is everyone? asked James Campbell. This looks like a ghost town.

Will Matthews sat up taller in his saddle, looked around and slapped his hat against his knee.

Beats me. I sure hope they ain’t havin’ Injun problems.

They rode past the two blockhouses and pulled up in front of the sheriff’s office. As they dismounted, a chubby, nervous man ran across the street toward them.

Is that you, Will? asked Morris Simpkins, the town’s storekeeper.

Yes, Morris, I’m just gettin’ back from Tennessee. Where is everybody? questioned Will Matthews.

Oh, they heard that some Injuns wuz skulking around out towards Sandy Creek and the sheriff and most of the men rode out to check on it. We’ve been hunkered down ever since they left.

James, this is Morris Simpkins and Morris, this young man is James Campbell. We brought a group of Tennessee families down who want to homestead in DeWitt’s Colony and we have one-hundred and twenty-seven people camping out for the night at Peach Creek. We thought it would be best to warn the town before they all descend upon you tomorrow.

Yep, we have all been looking for y’all for the last week or so. Glad you made it back. I have a feeling me and the Missus will be pretty busy tomorrow with them who needs stuff.

A loud rumble sounded from the west and in the distance they could see horsemen galloping toward them. James Campbell spotted some Indians with feathered headdresses and grabbed his rifle. Matthews quickly caught Campbell’s hand to prevent him from unsheathing the rifle from his saddle.

No, James, those are Tonkawa scouts. They’re on our side, Matthews said firmly.

About twenty horsemen slowed their approach as they entered the town. Some of the riders peeled off from the group toward their own homes. The sheriff motioned to one of the riders to go to the blockhouses and let the women and children know it is safe to come out. He and the four Tonkawa scouts rode on up to the sheriff’s office and dismounted.

Well, if it ain’t Will Matthews! exclaimed Sheriff Silas McKenzie. Are you just getting back from Tennessee?

Yes, Silas, we finally made it after a very long and exhausting trip. There are seventeen families camped out by Peach Creek tonight. Oh, by the way, this is James Campbell from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. He volunteered to come along as a scout and extra gun and if he likes what he sees here, he might stay. James, this is Sheriff Silas McKenzie.

Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir, James said as he extended his hand toward the sheriff.

Shaking hands, the sheriff eyed the young man in buckskins and a coonskin cap.

Howdy, young man. So glad to meet you and I hope you will stay. We need all the good men we can get out here!

What did your posse find out there? Morris said there were some Injun troubles, Will asked.

Oh, they turned out to be some Comanche just out hunting deer and turkey along Sandy Creek about fifteen miles west of here. They weren’t up to mischief, but you never know.

A cold gust of wind whipped through the village and the sky was getting darker.

Well, we had better mosey back to camp. It appears we have a norther blowing in, said Will.

Matthews and Campbell remounted their horses.

Guys, it’s going to get mighty cold and dark before you make it back to Peach Creek, called out the sheriff. Let me have the Tonkawas go with you to help guide you and also they will be good protection in case those Comanche change their minds. The Tonks and Comanche hate each other’s guts and these Tonks are our friends."

Sure, I wouldn’t mind having them around tonight, replied Matthews.

Hey, Chief Plácido, McKenzie shouted, will you and your men go with Will Matthews and James Campbell to Peach Creek for the night? There are a lot of new settlers camped out there that may need some more protection.

Sì, sheriff, Plácido and his two sons will be muy happy to help. Chico needs go back to teepees. My people need medicine man, replied Plácido.

James looked at Will Matthews with questioning eyes.

Plácido is the chief of our friendly Tonkawa neighbors, spoke up Matthews. He has shown his friendship to the white settlers around Gonzales for many years.

Chief Plácido and his sons mounted up and headed down the street toward the east and Peach Creek. Will and James followed, pulling their leather and fur jackets up around their necks against the cold wind that was blowing like a fury. The Indians kept a steady pace as though they were traveling in full daylight. Yet, the cold, dark night engulfed them as they rode through small creeks and thickets. Thankfully, they only had ten miles to travel until they reached the Peach Creek bottoms.

James, when we get near the Peach Creek bottoms, I want you to ride on up ahead and warn our look-outs about our Injun escorts.

Good idea. I know they gave me a start back there in town.

Upon reaching the edge of the creek bottoms, James rode on ahead. Even though the brush was thicker here, James could now see several campfires spread throughout the area that helped to light his way.

This is James Campbell. Don’t shoot! he called out.

He could hear each of the look-outs yell to the others down the line to hold their fire. James loped into camp and went from one look-out to the next to warn them about the Tonks. He then began passing the word through the camp. After spreading the word, James and some of the other scouts and guards rode back into the thicket where Will Matthews, Chief Plácido and his sons waited before they all rode into camp together.

Soon, the men were sitting around a campfire with Will’s and Matthew’s families. They were enjoying a feast of wild hog some of the boys had shot in the thicket.

Chief Plácido looked at the Tennesseans and said, We hear stories about Tennessee and uh, Davy Crockett. Do you know him?

James Campbell and Matthew Caldwell looked at each other and laughed. They were surprised an Indian in Tejas would have heard about their friend.

Yes, we are very well acquainted with Colonel Crockett. And he prefers to be called, David. Pointing to James, he continued, James here grew up as his neighbor in Lawrence County. James, can you tell them some of the stories you remember about the Colonel? Mathew asked.James looked up slowly from his food and responded, Colonel Crockett, or should I say Congressman Crockett? Anyway, he and his family came to the Shoal Creek near us in 1817, when I was eleven years old. He was already well known for his hunting. He has a son named John Wesley Crockett, who went by J.W. John Wesley was my age and we became best friends. David Crockett and my Pa were also friends and did some business together. J. W. and I had a great time hunting and fishing together, but we had the most fun when his Pa would take us out hunting with him. Colonel Crockett taught me to be a good hunter and I owe my ability to shoot my rifle to him.

James took another bite of his hog meat and continued.

David Crockett moved his family on to west Tennessee about ten years ago when he became involved in politics. That same year, the Shoal Creek flooded and wiped out his grist mill, powder mill and whiskey distillery. Our house was flooded, too, and we lost two barns in that flood. Who knows, maybe the Crocketts will come to Tejas? He seems to keep moving to the frontier and gets an itch to move when the population builds up around him.

Well, Mr. Campbell, I do declare, that is the most I have ever heard you talk since the time I met you! exclaimed Matthew Caldwell. He jovially continued and said, I believe Crockett taught you to shoot as well as he does! I do declare, turning to the others, this young man could shoot the eye out of a running deer from a hundred yards away!

Matthew Caldwell told Chief Plácido and his sons how he also knew David Crockett. He had them laughing when he told the story about how David was left for dead in Alabama while scouting land with friends. He caught malaria and was very sick and his friends thought he was dying. These neighbors left him along the side of the road and then went back home. They told his family he had died. David recovered and finally, made it back home to his wife and children in Tennessee. When David heard about his family being told he was dead, he said, I know’d this was a whopper of a lie as soon as I heard it!

Uh-hum… gentlemen, let’s call it a night. Let’s divide up watch times and get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow, said Will Matthews. Turning to Chief Plácido and his sons, he asked, Is there anything we can get for you? Blankets?

No, Chief Plácido, Charlie and Little Spots will be fine here by this fire, replied the Chief.

After a miserably cold night, the settlers awoke to sleet covering everything that was not fully protected by the thicket. Despite the cold, miserable chill, the immigrants went about their morning duties with a spring in their steps because they knew that after all the weeks of traveling from Hardeman County, Tennessee, they had almost reached their destination. They had been ferried across the Tennessee, Mississippi, and Sabine rivers and had waded across smaller cold streams and rivers in the dead of winter. Finally, today, February 20, 1831, they will reach their destination and their new homeland in the DeWitt Colony, Tejas, Territorio de Mexico.

Chapter III

Frontier

DeWitt Colony, Tejas, Territorio de Mejico - March, 1831

James Campbell kept trying to keep his mind from straying back to Tennessee as he hammered nails into Matthew Caldwell’s barn. Only sad memories met him as he thought back to home and Libby. Just a few months ago, he had nothing but joy and a bright future as Libby Caldwell and he planned for their lives together. Christmas Day was going to be their wedding date, but if only… Stop this! he told himself. She is gone and no amount of wishing will bring her back!

James and Libby had so many dreams for their lives together and sweet Libby had been giggly with excitement as they put the finishing touches on their new cabin. James couldn’t help feeling guilty for allowing her to spend so much time helping with the building, especially after the weather turned cold. Her tiny, seventeen-year-old body just couldn’t fight the pneumonia which took her life.

Hey James, Matthew Caldwell called, I’m back with the nails. Samuel, the blacksmith, had them ready and waiting for me when I got there. How’s it coming?

I’ve almost finished the north side. Pretty soon we can start putting the horses in at night.

Well, good. From the smell, I believe Martha almost has dinner fixed. Let’s keep working while we still have sunlight and then call it a day.

Yes, boss.

Stop callin’ me ‘boss’, James! You know good and well you are like a brother to me. Anyway, you almost were my cousin-in-law.

James hung his head, then grabbed another nail and began hammering.

Almost…, What if…, Why didn’t I..., James thought to himself.

At dinner, Matthew said a prayer as they held hands around the table. Just as he said, Amen, baby Lucy Ann began crying in her crib. Martha jumped up and took her behind the curtain to nurse.

Perfect timing! That little girl sure knows when it’s dinner time! Matthew said laughing. This drew a slight smile on James’ face. There were times he wasn’t sure he could smile anymore.

James, when the weather warms up, how about you and me head south and try to round up some of those wild Mexican cattle with the long horns? If we are lucky, we might be able to catch some of them wild horses, too.

Fine with me, but we have a lot of work to do around here first. At this point, we don’t have any way to keep them from taking off as soon as we get them here.

Hey, Curtis, quit playing with your food. Your mama worked hard fixin’ it for us, Matthew scolded.

Matthew looked back at James with a twinkle in his eyes. He sure loved his little family. James’ heart ached.

Matthew and James began working very hard to get some building done on the Caldwell place as soon as Matthew received his title. They started off with a one room cabin with a fireplace. These were made out of adobe mostly. They plan to add onto the cabin after they get a small barn built out of lumber they hauled by wagon from Bastrop.

Oh, James, I forgot to tell you, the Mexicans finally sent Gonzales a cannon for protection against the Injuns. It is a small six-pounder, but it can make the Injuns change their minds if they are up to no good. They are keeping the cannon at one of the blockhouses and are planning to make a wagon to put it on, or simply mount it on one of the block houses.

Have you heard of problems with the Indians, lately?

Yes, there have been some missing horses at some of the outlying farms. Fortunately, no one has been injured or killed since we got here. Sheriff McKenzie said they need more help with the militia and asked if we could join them. I told them I would and I thought you would want to, as well. They call them Mounted Rangers, here.

About that time, Martha came back out with one year old, Lucy Ann, and handed her to Matthew. James stood up and said, Martha, thank you for the meal. It was delicious as ever. Turning to Matthew he said, This talk of missing horses makes me want to check on ours.

Stay James, I have some cornpone and honey for desert. Please, stay and join us, begged Martha!

Much obliged, Martha, but I’m going to check on things with the horses, James said as he put his cap on and headed back out the door.

Martha sighed, Oh, when is that young man going to relax and understand we love him?

Our happy little family may make him sad for what he and Libby dreamed of and lost. I miss my little cousin, too, but that young man carries a very heavy heart.

Martha looked at Matthew and her tearful eyes shimmered in the candlelight.

James went out to the pasture where they had their horses hobbled. He cautiously looked around and listened for any worrisome sounds. He did hear some scattered coyotes howling but he didn’t think he heard wolves tonight. Between coyotes, wolves, panthers, wild hogs and marauding Indians, our livestock face a lot of danger in this frontier, James thought.

Sounds of wild animals may also be Indian signals between themselves. The sooner we get this barn finished, the better. Still, a barn is no guarantee for protection of the livestock. He had heard about a neighbor who put a padlock on his barn to protect his prize horse.