Texas by James A. Michener

Author:James A. Michener [Michener, James A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Historical, Adventure, Western, Adult, Classics
ISBN: 9780375761416
Google: dzDdCLoAIcQC
Goodreads: 12659
Publisher: Random House
Published: 1985-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

away by superior Mexican numbers and performance. Indeed, as night fell General Taylor had to consider the likelihood that on the morrow he was doomed to suffer a crushing defeat, and with this mournful prospect staring at him, he assembled his officers.

'Can we hold them if they make a dawn attack?' he asked.

'Our men and horses are exhausted.'

'But can they make one last effort?'

'They can always make an effort. But . . .'

Throughout the night the discussions continued, and at one o'clock or thereabouts Taylor suggested that his best Texas scouts be sent out to bring news of exactly when the Mexicans would begin their major attack. Lieutenant Colonel Cobb thought the general had tears in his eyes as he said: 'Give us what help you can, Persifer. I knew your uncle Leander. Good man. Good man with horses, that one.'

Despite Captain Garner's urgent suggestion that Cobb remain safe with General Taylor, the South Carolinian insisted upon sharing the scout with his Texans, and they went alarmingly deep into enemy territory. Two o'clock, and only sporadic signs of enemy action. Three o'clock, and still darkest winter night, with Mexican troops huddling to keep warm. Four o'clock, and only that ominous silence. Five o'clock, and just a faint show of light from a campfire visible here and there.

At six, when dawn would betray their presence, the Rangers were in maximum danger, and Cobb, aware of this, cautioned additional care, but Panther Komax ignored his warnings, rose boldly in his saddle, stared ahead in disbelief, and shouted: 'Jesus Christ!'

When the others rode up, several of them repeated Panther's cry: 'Jesus Christ!'

On the evening after the great battle at Buena Vista, when the Mexicans had stood within six inches or six minutes of an astounding victory, General Santa Anna had convened a meeting of his officers, and such is the strangeness of battle that approximately identical questions were being asked.

'Can we crush them in the morning?' the one-legged Napoleon asked.

'Our lancers, all our cavalry, they did what they could this afternoon.'

'Can they repeat?'

Silence. No one dared tell the dictator of Mexico, the commander in chief, the Benemerito de la Patria, El Supremo, that something was impossible, but it was clear even to him that the mex-

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