"SAN JACINTO, birthplace of Texas liberty! ... San Jacinto, one of
the world’s decisive battles! . . . San Jacinto, where, with cries
of "REMEMBER THE ALAMO! [1] REMEMBER GOLIAD [2]!" Sam Houston and his
ragged band of 910 pioneers routed Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna,
President and Dictator of Mexico and self-styled _"Napoleon of the
West,"_ with his proud army, and changed the map of North America!
Here is a story that has thrilled Texans for more than a century ...
a story of desperate valor and high adventure; of grim hardship,
tragedy and romance ... the story of the epochal battle that
established the independent Lone Star Republic, on April 21, 1836, and
indelibly inscribed the names of Texas patriots on history's scroll of
American immortals.
The actual battle of San Jacinto lasted less than twenty minutes, but
it was in the making for six years. It had its prelude in the
oppressive Mexican edict of April 6, 1830, prohibiting further
emigration of Anglo-Americans from the United States to Texas; in the
disturbance at Anahuac and in the battle of Velasco, in 1832; in the
imprisonment of Stephen F. Austin, the _"Father of Texas,"_ in Mexico
in 1834. Immediate preliminaries were the skirmish over a cannon at
Gonzales [3]; the capture of GOLIAD [4]; the _"Grass Fight,"_ and the
siege and capture of San Antonio [5] . . . all in 1836. The Texas
Declaration of Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2,
1836, officially signalized the revolution."
ANDREW CADDEL, was one of the 910 Texican pioneers who fought in the
decisive battle against Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President and
Dictator of Mexico.
ANDREW CADDEL, son of John Calvin and Mary (Jay) CADDEL, was born (21
Oct 1795) in Person County, NC, raised in Pendleton District, SC and
later lived in St. Clair County, AL. He married in Tuscaloosa County,
AL and came to Texas in about April 1834. He and his family settled in
Zavala's Colony, Sabine District, Mexican Municipality. He later lived
in San Augustine and Nacogdoches Counties, TX. They were members of
the Union Church which later became known as the Old North Church
where Andrew was Church clerk. Andrew and his wife Rhoda moved to Bell
County, TX in about 1867, settling on a farm near Belton, TX in the
Three Forks Community. He died there in 1869. Andrew and Rhoda were
buried in the family cemetery on the farm.
Andrew was listed in the 1830 census of Tuscaloosa County, AL, page
18, showing Andrew CADDELL (age 30-40), wife (age 20-30), 4 males
(5-10 years) and 2 males (less than 5 years).
On April 14, 1835, Andrew received title to a League of land (a
Spanish League was 4,428 acres) in Zavala's Colony which became San
Augustine County, TX. Headright Certificate No. 423, dated March 1,
1838, was issued to Andrew for a Labor of land (177 acres) by the
Board of Land Commissioners, San Augustine County, Mexican
Municipality.
Andrew was a private in Captain William Kimbro's San Augustine
Company and later served with General Sam Houston in the War for Texas
Independence in the Battle of San Jacinto. In about 1835 when the
Texicans rebelled against Mexico, Sam Houston was elected
Commander-In-Chief of the Texas troops. Houston began organizing the
forces to counter the military rule of Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna,
Mexican General and dictator. In March of 1836, Texas declared its
independence from Mexico. Texas troops captured San Antonio, but Santa
Anna with a force of several thousand troops set out to retake San
Antonio. There was only a small garrison of Americans left to defend
San Antonio. In the final action the Texas forced holed up in the
Alamo, an old Spanish mission. The Americans numbered only 187 men
were under command of Colonel William B. Travis. For thirteen days,
from February 23 until March 6, 1836, Santa Anna besieged the Alamo.
On March 4, 1836, the Alamo finally fell, with all Americans killed.
The hold out of the Alamo was time to allow General Sam Houston to
move his troops to confront Santa Anna and the Mexican forces.
Andrew’s company formed part of the left wing of the Texas Army. The
final battle came on the banks of the San Jacinto River on April 21,
1836. To the cry of "Remember the Alamo," the Texicans crushed the
Mexicans.
Major-General Sam Houston in documents, dated April 25, 1836, to his
Excellency David G. Burnett, president of the Republic of Texas,
included the following account of the battle.
"After a forced march of fifty-five miles, which was affected in two
days and a half, the army arrived opposite Harrisburg (TX).... A
courier of the enemy was taken, from whom I learned that General Santa
Anna, with one division of his choice troops, had marched in the
direction of Lynche’s ferry, on the San Jacinto (River), burning
Harrisburg, as he passed...march for Anahuac. The Texican army halted
within half a mile of the(Lynche’s) ferry in some timber, and were
engaged in slaughtering beeves, when the army of Santa Anna was
discovered to be approaching in battle array, having being encamped at
Klopper’s point, eight miles below.... The enemy had occupied a
piece of timber within rifle shot of the left wing (Andrew’s
regiment under the command of Colonel Sidney Sherman) of our army,
from which an occasional interchange of small arms took place between
the troops, until the enemy withdrew to a position on the banks of the
San Jacinto, about three quarters of a mile from our encampment, and
commenced fortification. A short time before sunset our mounted men,
about eighty five in number, under the special command of Colonel
Sherman, marched out for the purpose of reconnoitering the enemy.
While advancing they received a volley from the left of the enemy’s
infantry, and after a sharp re-encounter with their calvary, in which
ours acted extremely well and performed some feats of daring and
chivalry, they retired in good order, having had two men severely
wounded, and several horses killed.... About 9 o’clock in the
morning of the 21st, the enemy were reinforced by 500 choice troops
under the command of General Cos increasing their effective force to
upward of 5000 men, while our aggregate force for the field numbered
783.... The Second regiment under the command of Colonel Sherman,
formed the left wing of the army... Colonel Sherman with his regiment
having commenced the action upon our left wing, the whole line, at the
center and on the right, advancing in double-quick time, rung out the
war cry ‘Remember the Alamo,’ received the enemy’s fire, and
advanced within point-blank shot before a piece was discharged from
our lines.... The conflict lasted about eighteen minutes from the time
of close action until we were in possession of the enemy’s
encampment, taking one piece of cannon (loaded), four stand of colors,
all their camp equipment, stores and baggage.... In the battle our
loss was 2 killed and 20 wounded, 6 of whom mortally. The enemy’s
loss was 630 killed....(and) wounded 208; of which...President general
Santa Anna (and) General Cos...are included in the number....very few
having escaped. About 600 muskets, 300 sabres and 200 pistols have
been collected since the action; several hundred mules and horses were
taken, and near Twelve thousand dollars in specie."
On April 21, 1837, a magnificent monument 570 feet high was erected
on the place where the battle was fought. Andrew CADDEL's name is
inscribed on the marble scrolls inside the monument listing the names
of the "Heroes" of the Battle of San Jacinto.
On January 31, 1840, Andrew was issued a Donation Certificate No.
1009 for 640 acres of land having served in the battle. Also, on the
same day he received a Bounty Certificate No. 9445 for 320 acres for
his military action, Service Action No. 1265 from March 15 through
June 15, 1836.
Andrew CADDEL later commanded as Captain a company of volunteers in
San Augustine County, Second Regiment, Third Brigade, Texas Troops,
serving from August 18, 1836 through November 15, 1836. Later Andrew
and family moved to Nacogdoches County where he served as County Tax
Assessor and Collector from 1846 through 1854.
The 1850 census of Nacogdoches County, TX listed Andrew (age 54 b.
NC, property value $2,500), Roda (age 49 b. SC), William (age 27 b.
AL), Joseph (age 20 b. AL), Thomas (age 16 b. AL), Robert (age 14 b.
TX), Sarah (age 12 b. TX), Martha (age 9 b. TX), and Richard (age 7 b.
TX). On the slave schedule for 1850, Andrew was listed as having a
family of Negroes - male (35 yrs), female (30 years) and male child (9
years).
The 1860 census Nacogdoches County, TX listed Andrew (age 64 farmer
property over $10,000, b. NC), Rhoda (age 59 b. SC) and Richard M.
(age 17 b. TX).
The 1870 census of Bell County, TX listed Rhoda CADDEL (age 69 b. SC)
and Marion ACREY (age 11 b. TX and son of Sarah ACREY, Rhoda’s
daughter).
Andrew's wife, Rhoda Doughty was the daughter of Jeremiah and
Elizabeth (unknown) Doughty. Rhoda’s parents were buried in Big
Creek cemetery in Tuscaloosa County, AL.
On the CADDEL family farm,located about three miles southeast of
Belton, TX, is the cemetery in the Three Forks Community where Andrew
was buried. In 1936 the state of Texas erected a monument in honor of
his service in the Battle of San Jacinto. I visited the cemetery in
1967. Buried with Andrew and Rhoda were as follows:
John C. CADDEL (Andrew's oldest son), died September 6, 1884, age 65
years, 11 months and 13 days old, and
Sarah E. Acrey (Andrew's 9th child), died November 20, 1862.
Records of the County Clerk's Office, Bell County, TX listed the
inventory and appraisement of the estate of Andrew CADDEL. The estate
was administered by John C. CADDEL, noted above, and the records
showed the following:
"Inventory and appraisement of the estate of Andrew CADDEL, deceased,
to wit, situated in Bell County, TX: One-half interest in 300 acres of
land granted to John W. Porter assigned of John Fernash valued at
$1,200.00; 213 acres of land situated in Nacogdoches County granted to
Jose' Antonio valued at $213.00; 2,214 acres of land situated in San
Augustine County granted to Andrew CADDEL valued at $1,107.00; and
personal property, as follows:
One gray stallion $ 150.00
One sorrel mare 60.00
One three year old horse 50.00
One yearling horse colt 30.00
One yolk oxen 35.00
Thirteen head stock cattle 52.00
Thirty-five head stock hogs 105.00
One wagon 65.00
Small lot of tools 14.00
Plows, gearing, etc. 17.50
130 bushels of corn 65.00
One rifle gun 10.00
One silver watch 10.00
Household and kitchen furniture 65.75
Total value of estate $3,249.25
We the appraisers of said estate do solemnly swear that the
foregoing is a fair and complete inventory and appraisement of the
personal property belonging to the estate of Andrew CADDELL, deceased
as pointed out to us by the Executor of said estate to the best of our
knowledge and belief so help us God. (signed) J. C. Burris, C. Mabry.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of December AD 1869.
Witnessed my hand and seal the date last above written. (signed) I. H.
Moore, Probate Judge, Bell County, TX.
I do solemnly swear that the foregoing inventory and list is a full
and complete inventory and list of the property belonging to the
estate of Andrew CADDEL, deceased that has come to my knowledge, so
help me God. (signed) John C. CADDEL. Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 27th day of December AD 1869. Witness my hand and seal of
office the day last above written.(signed) I. H. Moore, Probate Judge,
Bell County, TX."
The estate also included lands in Young County, TX.
Miscellaneous San Augustine County court records showed the
following:
1835, April 14 - Spanish Grant: State of Texas, grantor; Andrew
CADDEL, grantee; 1/4 league of land, filed August
16, 1905, Book 34, page 140 - 146, San Augustine
County, TX.
1837 - Andrew CADDEL was witness to a land certificate for
320 acres to Jeremiah D. CADDEL from the Board of
Land Commissioners, Nacogdoches County, TX.
1837, June 24 - Original grant, ½ league of land: Andrew CADDEL,
grantor; David Brown, grantee.
1837, Dec 9 - Petition No. 299: State of Texas, grantor; Andrew
CADDEL, grantee; Book D, page 57 - 61, San
Augustine County, TX.
1838, Jan 1 - Index to surveyors index: Captain CADDEL's
Headright Certificate No. 423, for 177 acres, Book
A, page 26, San Augustine County, TX, included the
following: "Capt CADDEL's Plat and field notes
surveyed for CADDEL January 1, 1838... 1,000,000
square varas of land situated on the Angelina River
about 25 miles southwest of San Augustine, TX in
the part to the land which he is entitled to by
Certificate No. 423, issued by the Board of Land
Commissioners for the County of San Augustine ...
commencing at a point on the E. B. line of L. S.
CADDEL surveyed from which a pine bears S 30
degrees E 7 varas is another pine N 4 degrees W 5
varas thence N 26 degrees E 1,000 varas to a point
which a black oak bears S 30 degrees W 10 varas a
pine N 35 degrees E 4 varas thence N 64 degrees W
1,000 varas to a point which a pine bears N 44
degrees W 18 varas another pine N 38 degrees W 19
varas thence S 26 degrees W 1,000 varas to a point
in P. CADDEL's line from which an ash bears S 18
degrees W 2 varas and a white oak N 65 degrees W 12
varas thence a line S 64 degrees E 1,000 varas to
place of beginning, being arable land. (signed) A.
Kitchel, District Surveyor, Witness: B. Culverson,
J. Harvey.
I James A. McLaurin surveyor of San Augustine County do hereby
certify the above is a true and correct copy of the field notes and
Plat of the Capt. CADDEL survey just as they are recorded in the
surveyors old record book A, page 29. (signed) McLaurin..."
1841, Sept 27 - Andrew CADDEL witnessed application by William J.
CADDEL for 320 acres of land to the Board of Land
Commissioners, Nacogdoches County, TX.
1841, Sept 27 - Andrew CADDEL witnessed a land grant certificate of
120 acres to J. D. CADDEL.
1843, Jan 27 - Probate Court records, Nacogdoches County, TX,
Andrew CADDEL vs Thomas H. Rogers, debt by note,
judgement confined for $60.00 with ten percent
interest per annum received February 18, 1845,
seventy-two and 38/100 dollars in full principal
and interest. (signed) Andrew CADDEL, Burnett
Blake (J. P.).
1846, July 31 - Bond Record A, Nacogdoches County, pages 1 - 3, as
follows: Record No. 1, Official bond and oath of
Andrew CADDEL, Assessor and Collector of the State
of Texas...Oath subscribed and sworn to on July 31,
1846 - (signed) Andrew CADDEL: witness, Ephrium
Coon, Nacogdoches County.
Bond of Andrew CADDEL as principal and Charles S.
Taylor, Richard Parmalee, and M. G. Whitaker as
securities, all of Nacogdoches County, are held and
firmly bound unto J. Pinkney Henderson, Governor of
the State of Texas and his successors in that
office. Bond: $3,000.00. Witness our hands and
seals this 31st day of July AD 1846.
1854, Jan 20 - Deed from Andrew CADDEL to Andrew B. CADDEL for 320
acres, Nacogdoches County, TX.
Links:
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[1]
http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/gonrelief.htm
[2]
http://mail2.charter.net/HTTP://WWW.TAMU.EDU/FACULTY/CCBN/DEWITT/GOLIADMA...
[3]
http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/batgon.htm
[4]
http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/goliadmassacre.htm
[5]
http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/musterbexar.htm