The
story of "Deaf Smith"... Texas
history is filled with stories of heroism and dedication to duty. During those dark days of the Texas Revolution many men came forward and represented themselves well in the war with Mexico. When we
think
of those times, the names Travis, Houston, Austin, Bowie, and
Crockett quickly come to mind. There were many others, however,
who were just as important to the Texas cause. One
of those was Erastus "Deaf" Smith. If he was around
today we might call him, a "Yankee." You see, Deaf was
from New York state — but there was none more dedicated in the
Texas fight for freedom than this man. Although he lost his
hearing due to a disease at the age of 11, Smith never seemed to
let this impairment stop him from serving the people of Texas. Deaf
Smith settled near San Antonio in 1821. He married a Mexican
widow, Guadalupe Ruiz Durán, in 1822. The couple had four
children, all daughters. In 1825, Smith moved to DeWitt's colony
and settled on land about a mile west of Gonzales. According to
The Handbook of Texas, Gonzales was considered the first American
settlement west of the Colorado River at that time. At
the outbreak of the Texas Revolution, Smith's loyalties were
apparently divided. He considered himself a Mexican citizen and he
had a great love for the Mexican people. Some say that he joined
the Texans only because a Mexican sentry refused to allow him to
enter San Antonio to visit his family. The town was under siege by
Stephen F. Austin's army at the time and, in his anger, Smith
joined that group. The Texans were, no doubt, glad to have him. It
seems that the Mexican citizens of San Antonio had a fondness for
Deaf Smith. They probably kept him well informed of the
temperament and ability of the soldiers defending the city. He
reported that the troops of Gen. Martin Perfecto de Cos were
"disaffected to the cause they are serving." Because of
his steady source of information and his detailed reports, Deaf
Smith soon became know as the number one spy for the Texas army. On
December 8, 1835, Deaf Smith guided the Texas troops into San
Antonio. He was shot on that day while on the roof top of the
Veramendi Palace. Ben Milam was killed at the door of that
structure at about the same time. Although Smith was severely
wounded, he remained with the army. According to his leaders,
Smith was "well known to the army for his vigilance and
meritorious acts." They also said that his services as a spy
could not be equaled by anyone. After
he recovered from his wounds, Deaf Smith became a messenger for
William B. Travis at the Alamo. Travis called Smith, "The
bravest of the brave in the cause of Texas." Smith was away
from the Alamo delivering letters from Travis to Sam Houston when
the Mexican army made its final assault. Houston
sent Smith back to San Antonio to learn the status of the garrison
there. It is obvious just how much Houston trusted the ability of
Deaf Smith. In a report to Thomas Jefferson Rusk, Houston wrote:
"If living," [Smith] will return with "the truth
and all important news." Smith did return to Gonzales with
some of the Alamo survivors — these included Susanna Dickinson
and her baby daughter, Angelina. At
the battle of San Jacinto, Deaf Smith again performed his duty
without regard for his personal safety. He captured a Mexican
courier who was carrying important dispatches for Gen. Santa Anna.
These documents gave Houston information on the strength of the
enemy and when Santa Anna might be reinforced. On April 21, 1836,
Smith was ordered by Houston to destroy Vince's Bridge and cut off
any hope of escape by the Mexican army (or anyone else). Deaf
Smith's service to Texas went far and beyond the call of duty.
While he was at San Jacinto, his family was living in Columbia,
Texas. The war had left them penniless. On November 11, 1836, the
Texas Congress granted Smith the property of Ramón Músquiz on
the northeast corner of San Antonio's Military Plaza as a reward
for his service to the army. Nevertheless, Smith and his family
remained in Columbia. Although
he resigned his commission in the army, Smith went on to organize
and command a company of Texas Rangers. On February 17, 1837, this
group defeated a band of Mexicans at Laredo. This was to be Deaf
Smith's final battle. He left the rangers and moved to Richmond,
Texas. He died there, at the home of Randal Jones, on November 30,
1837. Sam
Houston was devastated at the passing of Smith. In a letter
written to Anna Raguet, Houston wrote: "My friend Deaf Smith,
and my stay in darkest hour, is no more!!! A man, more brave, and
honest never lived. His soul is with God, but his fame and his
family, must command the care of his country!" I
don't believe Erastus (Deaf) Smith was a man who really sought
fame. He apparently had a great love for his family and country. I
wonder if the course of Texas history would have been different
— if that Mexican sentry had allowed him to visit his family
during the siege of San Antonio.
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