**Chapter 57**
**Texas (6)**
Stephen Austin, quickly regaining his composure, roared.
"Find that son of a bitch, Michael Williams!"
"Yes!"
The Texas Rangers scattered.
"Search every house in town, every house on the farm, the villa, everything!"
Being a leader of the Rangers, he owned three houses.
The theft of the signature list was a fatal blow.
What would Michael Williams do with that list?
"He'll use it for a deal."
Stephen Austin was sure of it. They had been together for ten years. He would definitely use the list in that way.
He should have burned it long ago instead of putting it in a safe.
Without it, he could have at least tried to argue. But if that list, clearly marked "Supporters of the Texas Democratic Committee," were handed over, it would be the end.
That's because those judges in the Mexican Empire, under the Emperor's direct influence, would have enough reason to charge them with sedition just for that phrase "Democratic Committee."
Of course, even without that list, Stephen Austin and the leaders would have a high chance of being punished for corruption and malfeasance, but the ordinary members had a chance of avoiding punishment.
"The moment that traitor Michael Williams hands over the list to the Mexican government, even the ordinary members will be unable to avoid punishment."
Stephen Austin wanted to find Michael Williams and retrieve the list, but soon bad news arrived.
"It's not at the house in town! Michael, as well as his family, are not there."
"Well, I thought it was too close, so it wouldn't be there. Let's wait a little longer."
Several hours later.
"It's not at the villa either!"
"The same goes for the farm!"
Bang!
"Damn it!"
Stephen Austin slammed his fist on the table.
"It's only been 12 hours since that bastard Michael Williams ran away, where the hell did he go? Search again, thoroughly!"
"Yes!"
This time, he sent out all the leaders, excluding Jonathan.
Stephen Austin, left alone with Jonathan in the building, said.
"Jonathan, bring that weapons dealer. We need more weapons."
"Yes, Boss."
Stephen Austin didn't even consider the last resort Michael had mentioned before leaving, seeking asylum in the United States.
After all, not all the Rangers could go. It would cause a huge diplomatic issue.
He would secretly take only his family? Or surrender and be punished?
"I'd rather die like a man fighting than do such a shameful thing."
He waited alone for hours, and his subordinates began to return.
"I'm sorry, we can't find that bastard Michael anywhere."
They couldn't find Michael Williams.
"We can't find that weapons dealer either."
The weapons dealer was also nowhere to be found. Did he cut off his tail because the situation was becoming strange? Or did something happen to him?
It doesn't matter.
He didn't even consider asylum, but now his last retreat has been cut off.
There's really no choice but to fight.
He gathered the remaining followers throughout Texas during the remaining time.
In the middle of the wide-open Texas wilderness, Stephen Austin stood with the Rangers.
The size had shrunk considerably, but many comrades who had fought alongside him to protect Texas for years had come. That wasn't all.
Many young Texans, full of blood and fire, who had recently joined, also came.
Stephen looked at the Rangers with a resolute face and began his final speech.
"Comrades!
The Crown Prince of the Mexican Empire is marching towards us with his army. Our signature list has fallen into enemy hands, and we have nowhere left to retreat.
The time I told you about has just come a little sooner. The oppressors of the Mexican Empire would have sent their army to crush us eventually.
We are all sons and daughters of Texas. We are ready to fight against the oppression of the Mexican Empire. Our weapons are ready.
The enemy is stronger than us, but there are 2,000 comrades who have stayed here until the end.
We have a good chance of winning. We have fought to protect this land, Texas, for the past 12 years against the Comanche tribe. No one knows this terrain better than us.
Our choice is clear. Fight, or be executed by the Mexicans. If so, I will fight alongside you until the end.
Now, comrades! For our land, our freedom, our future! For Texas!"
***
"A surprise attack... But what to do, they already know."
It seems like he didn't think there would be a spy in his own organization.
Stephen Austin's movements were constantly being reported to me by an informant who had infiltrated his organization.
"It's probably impossible to know exactly where they'll attack. It's not real-time communication. But if we know when they leave, we can get a general idea."
Agent Carlos is supposed to desert before the battle begins.
"Stephen Austin, I thought he might run away on his own after things got this far."
It's natural not to choose surrender, since they'll be executed anyway, but if he runs away on his own, he can at least save his life.
Is he going to fight even though he's going to lose everything? Honestly, I don't see it as a good thing.
"It's just his family and his subordinates who are pitiful."
A noble sacrifice? That's just how it's portrayed after they succeed and are annexed by the United States, by American media.
David Crockett from the Alamo battle is an example.
Honestly, from the Mexican perspective, he's just a ridiculous guy who came from the United States, trying to make our territory independent, and died fighting.
David Crockett, who is treated as a hero in the United States, similar to Stephen Austin, who is called the "Father of Texas," immigrated to Texas in 1835, so he will live in this world.
"He was portrayed well in the original history because he succeeded. In this world, he'll fail, so it's better for him not to come."
The last rider brought a letter, saying that Stephen Austin and the Texas Rangers had set out three days ago. Considering the distance, a surprise attack will be possible tonight.
"We've received intelligence that the enemy may attempt a surprise attack at dawn. Be prepared."
I have four senior officers reporting directly to me. The infantry regiment commander, who commands 1,000 infantry, two cavalry regiment commanders, who command 500 cavalry each, and the artillery regiment commander, who commands 500 artillery.
The infantry regiment commander was the most senior. He answered.
"Yes, Your Highness. We can't keep them awake all night, so I'll instruct them to strengthen security and sleep in full armor."
"Alright. Make sure the cavalry and artillery are ready to respond immediately. Increase the number of scouts in the cavalry."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Our army arrived at the town of Gonzales, which is on the road to San Antonio, and prepared to camp nearby.
"Gonzales... I think I've heard of it somewhere."
***
"Boss, over 100 deserters today."
Jonathan reported to Stephen Austin.
"Damn it. We can't afford to wait any longer."
"Yes, I think so too. Especially since that bastard Carlos deserted."
"Morale is low, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Cowards, running away when protecting their homeland. We're attacking tonight, get ready."
In the dark of dawn, Stephen Austin and the Texas Rangers were preparing for a surprise attack.
The Rangers, who were clearly 2,000 strong when they set out, had shrunk by over 400 in the past three days.
We tried to stop the deserters every morning, but even those who were told to stop them ran away.
2,500 vs. 1,600.
The number difference is significant, but if we launch a surprise attack, we have a good chance of winning. That's what Stephen Austin thought.
"Comrades who have stayed here until the end. You are the ones who truly love our homeland, Texas. If we overcome this last trial, great rewards will follow."
Stephen Austin encouraged those who remained.
Half of them remained because of the camaraderie they had built up over a long time as Texas Rangers.
The other half were young people who believed that this was the true way to protect their homeland, swayed by Stephen Austin's rhetoric emphasizing Texan identity.
Those who followed for advancement and reward, most of them deserted as the battle drew near.
Stephen Austin divided them into two regiments and 16 companies. They were irregular troops, but they had gained considerable combat experience fighting the Comanche tribe for years.
"Texas Rangers, advance!"
Stephen Austin commanded in a small but firm voice.
The Mexican camp was quiet, barely visible in the moonlight.
"We're almost there. They didn't notice we got this close, their discipline is terrible."
As they got closer, Stephen Austin felt a thrill.
He didn't plan on shooting from afar. Without cannons, they had to engage in close combat, a melee, to take advantage of the surprise attack and neutralize the enemy artillery.
"Now! Charge! When you arrive, set the tents on fire!"
We're almost there. It's just a quick run from here. That's what Stephen Austin thought, and the moment he gave the order.
"Open fire!"
Bang! Tatatatatabang!
Suddenly, soldiers in full armor with guns emerged from every tent.
"Damn it! Run at full speed!"
Stephen Austin shouted that and began running himself. The Mexican side responded quickly, anticipating this.
"Infantry! Form ranks!"
"Yes!"
"Artillery commander! Fire as soon as you're ready!"
"Yes! Fire as soon as you're ready!"
"1st Cavalry Regiment to the left, 2nd Cavalry Regiment to the right, flank and attack!"
"Yes!"
It was a failed surprise attack, no matter how you looked at it. The enemy was responding perfectly.
The Texas Rangers were taken aback by the sudden counterattack.
"What the hell are those bastards doing! How did they know?"
"I don't know, damn it! Just run! Don't stop!"
The surprise attack was their only hope, but it failed, and they were greatly shaken, but they didn't run away, they just ran. That's because they hadn't suffered major losses yet, and their leader, Stephen Austin, was running with them.
"Sons of Texas! Follow me!"
The Texas Rangers regained their courage, hearing Stephen Austin's cry, as he ran at the forefront.
Then it happened.
"Fire!"
Bang! Kwahang! Bang! Kwahang! Bang!
The Texas Ranger brothers who were running next to him were crushed.
"Aaaaaah!! You bastards, Mexican Empire!"
They were desperate at this point.
Stephen Austin thought as he ran.
"The surprise attack failed. The enemy infantry has already begun to form ranks. There's no point in approaching any further."
The enemy infantry, who had formed ranks, began firing their guns.
Tatatatatabang!!
Stephen Austin shouted as loud as he could.
"Brothers! Scatter! Take cover using the terrain!"
Stephen Austin said that and ran to the rock in front of him.
"Fire!"
Those who deserted had some conscience, most of them left their guns and bullets behind. Thanks to that, they had plenty of bullets per person.
Tatatatatabang!!
The area near the town of Gonzales wasn't completely flat. The Texas Rangers took cover behind trees, rocks, hills, and buildings, and began firing.
Tatatatatabang!!
The veterans, who had extensive experience fighting the Comanche tribe, inflicted significant damage on the Mexican infantry, but the cost of the battle was dire.
Heronimo, the Crown Prince of the Mexican Empire, who was watching, said.
"Well, it's good that we brought the new weapons. The breech-loading rifle is powerful."
Diego, his aide, who had followed him to the battlefield, said.
"Yes, Your Highness. The 300 with breech-loading rifles seem to be firing twice as fast as those with muzzle-loading rifles."
The Texas Rangers also realized this. Jonathan, the second-in-command of the Rangers, shouted.
"Boss! The enemy's weapons are overwhelming! We can't win like this!"
"Damn it. Retreat to Gonzales! Use the terrain as much as possible!"
There are civilians in the town. It was an irresponsible order to involve them in the fight. But that was also Stephen Austin's intention.
"They won't be able to fire cannons if we enter the town."
It's not a big enough town to call it an urban battle, but the various obstacles will reduce the effectiveness of the cavalry.
His quick order to take cover avoided a catastrophic loss of life. In fact, considering the difference in armament, troop quality, and training level, it's not a bad situation.
"There's still hope."
"Everyone retreat to Gonzales! Spread the word to the people around you!"
The Texas Rangers' movements changed. They started running towards the town of Gonzales. The Mexican side also saw that.
"Are they going to drag the civilians in? Just in case, we set up camp a little distance from the town."
"Your Highness, that guy seems to be giving orders. He's probably the commander."
Diego said, scanning the battlefield. Hearing that, the Crown Prince quickly commanded the signalman.
"Signal the cavalry to capture Stephen Austin! If capture is impossible, just kill him."
It's an organization that runs solely on Stephen Austin's leadership.
If they lose their focal point, they'll scatter.
It would be a good picture if we could capture him alive and put him on trial, but we can't waste our soldiers' lives for that.
The signalman sent the pre-arranged signal. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment, who had been flanking and hunting down the Rangers, saw the signal.
The cavalry began to gallop behind Stephen Austin, who was running towards the town of Gonzales.
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