Erastus Smith was born April 19, 1787 in
Duchess County, New York. Although he was hearing impaired, he became one of Sam Houston's
most reliable and most trusted scouts. He was well known for his coolness in the presence
of danger.
Smith moved with his parents to Mississippi
Territory at the age of eleven. He first came to Texas in 1817 but stayed only a short
time. He returned permanently in 1821, however, to help restore his health.
Smith adapted well to his new home. He soon
learned the nature and customs of the Mexican settlers, and easily made friends among both
his American and his Mexican neighbors. He attempted to remain neutral as tensions grew
between Texas and Mexico, but was soon persuaded on the side of the Texans.
Already known as a superior scout, he was
quickly recruited by the Texans. He was in the scouting party at the Battle of Concepcion
and discovered the mule train that led to the Grass Fight. After the fall of the Alamo,
Smith was sent by Sam Houston to gather particulars, and he returned with survivor
Susannah Dickerson and her baby to the Houston camp.
On one of his missions with Henry Wax
Karnes, Smith destroyed Vince's Bridge at the battle of San Jacinto. This blocked any
escape routes from the battle site.
A short time after the Texas Revolution, he
commanded a company of rangers to protect Texas' frontier settlements from Mexican and
Indian raids. Smith then returned briefly with his family to Richmond, Texas, before he
died on November 30, 1837.
Our own Jack Edmondson gives a second life
to this colorful character! Fascinating and surprisingly funny!
