Micajah Autry

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Micajah Autry (1794 – March 6, 1836) was a notable American merchant, poet and lawyer who died in the Texas Revolution at the Battle of the Alamo.

Contents 1 Biography 2 Letters to Home 2.1 Natchitoches Dec 13th 1835 2.2 Nacogdoches, Jany. 13th, 1836 3 Sources 4 Links

[edit] Biography

Autry was born in Sampson County, North Carolina, to Theophilus and Elizabeth (Greer) Autry. Between the ages of 17 and 18, he volunteered for military service against the British in the War of 1812. He marched to Wilmington, North Carolina, as a member of a volunteer militia company and later joined the United States Army at Charleston, South Carolina. He remained in Charleston in the company of Captain Long until the Treaty of Ghent was signed in 1815.

After the war, bad health forced Autry to quit farming and become a teacher. He moved to Hayesboro, Tennessee, in 1823 and studied law. The next year, he married a widow, Martha Wyche Putney Wilkinson. They had two children of their own and raised Martha's daughter from her first marriage. In 1828 Autry was admitted to the bar in Nashville, Tennessee. He practiced law in Jackson, between 1831 and 1835 in a partnership with Andrew L. Martin. Autry and Martin later started an unsuccessful mercantile business in Nashville.

During a subsequent business trip to New York City and Philadelphia, he heard of the opportunities in Texas. In 1835 he left his family and slaves in the care of Samuel Smith, his stepdaughter's husband, and set out for Texas by steamboat from Nashville. After arriving in Memphis, he wrote to his wife on December 7, 1835: "On the steamboat Pacific, I have met a number of acquaintances bound for Texas...I am determined to provide a home for you...or perish."

From Natchitoches, Louisiana, he later wrote: "About twenty men from Tennessee form our squad...the war (in Texas) is going favorably for the Texans, but it is thought that Santa Anna will make a descent with his whole force in the spring. But there will be soldiers enough of the real grit in Texas by that time to overrun all Mexico. We have between 400 and 500 to foot it to the seat of government. We cannot get horses, but have sworn allegiance to each other."

He was in Nacogdoches, Texas, on January 13, 1836, where he enlisted in the Volunteer Auxiliary Corps of Texas. His letter to his wife written on that date indicated that he had set out for Washington-on-the-Brazos with David Crockett and others under the command of Capt. William B. Harrison. He arrived in San Antonio de Bexar with this company on February 9 and joined the Alamo garrison under the command of Lt. Col. William Barrett Travis.

Autry, an expert marksman, was chosen by his company to eliminate Antonio López de Santa Anna, who often walked across the grounds near the Mexican battle lines. At one point, Autry raised his long rifle and took aim as his breathless companions watched, and fired. In that moment, the history of Texas and Mexico might have been changed, but either because of nervous tension or the great distance to the target, Autry's bullet went wild and Santa Anna scrambled for cover. After a siege lasting 13 days, Autry fell with his comrades at the stockade near the chapel, overwhelmed by the Mexican troops.

[edit] Letters to Home

[edit] Natchitoches Dec 13th 1835

My Dear Martha

About 20 minutes ago I landed at this place safely after considerable peril. About 20 men from Tennessee formed our squad at Memphis who all landed safely at the mouth of Red River. Major Eaton and Lady were on board the Pacific to whom I suppose I was favorably introduced by Mr. Childress from that however or from some reason Gov. Eaton paid me the most friendly and assiduous attention. Mrs. Eaton is moderately intelligent, extremely affected in her manners and never could have been overly handsome. I have not met with a more amiable and agreeable man than the Governor. By his persuasion a Major Arnold from Tennessee ( a cozen [sic] of Genl. Arnold) and myself left the rest of our company at the mouth of the Red River and went down to Orleans for the purpose of learning the true state of things in Texas as well as which would be the best probable rout. The result was that the war is still going on favourably to the Texians but it is thought that Santa Ana will make a descent with his whole forces in the Spring but there will be soldiers enough of the real grit in Texas by that time to overrun all Mexico. The only danger is starvation for the impulse to Texas both as to soldiers and moving families exceeds anything I have ever known. I have little doubt but that the army will receive ample supplies from Orleans both of provisions and munitions of war as the people of Texas have formed themselves into something like a government which will give them credit in Orleans. I have had many glowing descriptions of the Country by those who have been there. Be of good cheer my Dear Martha I am determined to provide a home in this delightful clime or perish in the –We have between 400 and 500 miles to foot it to the seat of war for we cannot get horses but we have sworn allegiance to each other and will get along some how. Bodily sufferings I regard not they seem indeed rather to alleviate than augment my sorrows. For instance the Steam Boat Caspian one of the most splendid and swiftest boats in the western trade which we took from Orleans up the Red River ran against a tree at the dead hour of the night and the shock shivered the side on which I was lying in my berth into splinters and while others were screaming in frantic terror I was as cool and undismayed as I ever was at any moment of my life. The truth is I am desperate but not mad. The best condition one can can (sic) be in for the enterprise I have undertaken. The Small pox has recently broke out here very bad but I fear the Tavern bill a great worse such charges never were heard of and we have to stay here probably several days before we can procure a conveyance for our baggage. I suppose we shall join and buy a waggon. Write to me to this place all the letters you send by mail, perhaps the general intercourse from here to Texas will enable me to get them conveniently. Write me in Texas by every private opportunity and I will do the same. Tell Mr. Smith and brother Jack to write me. I send this by Mr. Sevier who promises to put it in the post office at Bolivar or Middleburg. – it makes my heart sink to write these names but enough. Farewell my Dearest Martha. Keep my precious children for me and give my tender love to Amelia and – Smith.

M. Autry

P.S. The company of young men that left Jackson before I did passed through here about 20 days ago. Charles Haskell got into a fracus with a man & killed him in this town. Stood his trial was acquitted & they have all gone on to St. Antone the seat of war. Charles was not in fault I learn.

M.A.

[edit] Nacogdoches, Jany. 13th, 1836

My Dear Martha,

I have reached this point after many hardships and privations but thank God in most excellent health. The very great fatigue I have suffered has in a degree stifled reflection and has been an advantage to me. I walked from nachitoches whence I wrote you last to this place 115 miles through torrents of rain, mud and water. I remained a few days in St. Augustine when Capt. Kimble from Clarksvelle, Ten, a lawyer of whom you may recollect to have heard me speak arrived with a small company of select men, 4 of them lawyers. I joined them and find them perfect gentlemen. We are waiting for a company daily expected from Columbia, Ten. under Col. Hill with whom we expect to march to head quarters (Washington) 125 miles from here, where we shall join Houston the commander in chief and receive our destination. I may or may not receive promotion as there are many very meritorious men seeking the same. I have become one of the most thorough going men you ever heard of. I go whole hog in the cause of Texas. I expect to help them gain their independence and also to form their civil government, for it is worth risking many lives for. From what I have seen and learned from others there is not so fair a portion of the earth's surface warmed by the sun.

Be of good cheer Martha I will provide you a sweet home. I shall be entitled to 640 acres of land for my services in the army and 444 acres upon condition of settling my family here. Whether I shall be able to move you here next fall or not will depend upon the termination of the present contest. Some say Santa Anna is in the field with an immense army and near the confines of Texas, others say since the conquest of St. Antonio by the Texans and the imprisonment of Genl. Cos and 1100 men of which you have no doubt heard, that Santa Ana has become intimidated for fear that the Texans will drive the war into his dominions and is now holding himself in readiness to fly to Europe which latter report I am inclined to discredit, what is the truth of the matter no one knows or pretends to know.

Tell Mr. Smith not to think of remaining where he is but to be ready to come to this county at the very moment the government shall be settled, as for a trifle he may procure a possession of land that will make a fortune for himself, his children and his children's children of its own increase in value and such a cotton country is not under the sun. I have just been introduced to Mr. McNeil a nephew of Mr. S. who is now in this place and appears to be much of a gentlemen. Give my most kind affection to Amelia and Mr. Smith and to my own Dear Mary and James give a thousand tender embraces and for you my Dearest Martha may the smile of heaven keep you as happy as possible till we meet.

M. Autry

Tell Brothers J. & S. I have not time to write to them at present as Mr. Madding and Sevier by whom I send this can not wait. Tell brother Jack to think of nothing but coming here with us; tell him to study law as this will be the greatest country for that profession, as soon as we have a government, that was ever known.

M. A.

P.S. We stand guard of nights and night before last was mine to stand two hours during which the moon rose in all her mildness but splendor and majesty. With what pleasure did I contemplate that lovely orb chiefly because I recollected how often I had taken pleasure in standing in the door and contemplating her together. Indeed I imagined that you might be looking at her at the same time. Farewell Dear Martha.

P.S. Col. Crockett has joined our company.

[edit] Sources

• "Micajah Autry, A Soldier of the Alamo, Adele B. Looscan, Southwestern Historical Quarterly, April 1911"
• "James Lockhart Autry Papers, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX"
• "Historical Research" By Richard B. Autry.
• "Genealogical Research" By Richard B. Autry.

[edit] Links

• http://www.tamu.edu/
• http://www.thealamo.org/
• http://www.texasescapes.com/DEPARTMENTS/Guest_Columnists/East_Texas_all_things_historical/AlamoMarksman1BB201.htm
• http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v014/n4/article_4.html
• http://www.autreyheritage.com/usa/micajah.shtml