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Revision as of 06:00, 25 July 2011 by Asiaticus (talk | contribs) (→Freedom, Return and Death)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Herman Ehrenberg (1816 or 1818 - October 9, 1866) was a military volunteer unit of New Orleans Greys and Mobile Greys and participated in the Texas War of Independence. He was a survivor of the Goliad Massacre.
Background and Early life
Ehrenberg was born in Leipzig, Saxony (in present day Germany). At his age 18, He immigrated to New York in 1834. One year later, He moved to New Orleans, where he volunteered with the Greys.
Texas Revolution
Ehrenberg was the youngest military volunteer unit of New Orleans Greys. He accompanied Captain Thomas H. Breece's company were taking a trip to San Antonio de Bexar in support of Texas cause. He participated in the Siege of Bexar.
Battle of Coleto
Few months later, Ehrenberg transferred to the Mobile Greys and served under Colonel James Fannin, who was in commander in Battle of Coleto. Ehrenberg and his company of Fannin surrendered to Mexican General Jose de Urrea following the March 19-20, 1836. Ehrenberg and his forces were taken prisoners and send them to confinement in Presidio La Bahia. Few days later, General Jose de Urrea had to ask Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna to clemency for the prisoners but Santa Anna rejected Urrea's recommendation. Mexican Colonel Jose Nicolas de la Portilla, who replaced Urrea's position, had received word from Santa Anna to execute prisoners.
Goliad Survivor and Written account
One survivor of the massacre, a young German named H. von Ehrenberg, wrote an account of the murders on December 3, 1853. He said the Texian prisoners and American volunteers numbered about 400, while the Mexican captors totalled 700, in addition to cavalry and smaller groups of Mexican soldiers he saw gathered on the prairie. He described the slaughter:
"Kneel down!" Now burst in harsh accents from the lips of the Mexican commander. No one stirred. Few of us understood the order, and those who did would not obey. The Mexican soldiers who stood at about three paces from us, leveled their muskets at our breasts. Even then we could hardly believe that they meant to shoot us, for if we had we should assuredly have rushed forward in our desperation, and weaponless though we were, some of our murderers would have met their death at our hands.
The sound of a second volley, from a different direction than the first just then reached our ears, and was followed by a confused cry, as if those at whom it had been aimed, had not all immediately been killed. A thick cloud of smoke was wreathing toward the San Antonio River. The blood of my lieutenant was on my clothes, and around me lay my friends convulsed in their last agony. I saw nothing more. Unhurt myself, I sprang up and, concealed by the thick smoke, fled along the hedge in the direction of the river, the noise of the water for my guide.
On I went, the river rolled at my feet, the shouting and yelling behind. "Texas forever!" And without a moment's hesitation, I plunged into the water. The bullets whistled round me as I swam slowly and wearily to the other side, but none wounded me. Whilst these horrible scenes were occurring on the prairies, Col. Fannin and his wounded companions were shot and bayoneted at Goliad, only Dr. Shackleford and a few hospital aids having their lives spared, in order that they might attend the wounded Mexicans.
Another written account can be found in Early Times in Texas (serial form, 1868–71; book, 1892) by John Crittenden Duval.
Freedom, Return and Death
After Santa Anna's surrender at San Jacinto, Ehrenberg reached freedom and Texas army discharged him in 1836. He returned to Saxony and studied mining at Fieiburg University. He taught English at the University of Halle for brief. In 1844, He returned to Texas, where he worked as miner, mapmaker, engineer and Indian agent. Few years later, He moved to La Paz, Arizona Territory. On October 9, 1866, Ehrenberg was murdered by robbers, at the Dos Palmas Springs.
Town
Ehrenberg, Arizona is named for Ehrenberg