What do you think?
Rate this book
Deaf Smith: Incredible Texas Spy
"Here for the first time is published a full biography of this strange hero who earned a permanent place in the romantic history of Texas."
Handicapped by deafness from childhood, Yankee-born Erastus Smith eventually earned honor and fame in the paradoxical role of scout and spy in the Texas struggle for independence. After spending most of his life in loneliness and obscurity, he was suddenly hurled headlong into the blazing Texas Revolution. He served valiantly with Austin, Bowie, Travis, Milam, Fannin and other Texas immortals before being picked by Sam Houston as his chief scout and spy.
As the "eyes and ears" of the boisterous, blundering Texas army, he performed incredible feats, confounding the enemy and providing his Commander-in-Chief with the information necessary for planning the Battle of San Jacinto, resulting in overwhelming victory for the Texans. His destruction of Vince's Bridge assured the capture of Santa Anna, president of Mexico.
Known universally as "Deaf" Smith, he became the folk hero of the soldiers and citizens of the new-born Texas Republic. Sam Houston referred to him as "My friend, Deaf Smith, my stay in darkest hour!" Marquis James wrote, in The Raven: "Considering the tax of the other faculties that deafness imposed upon a scout, the achievements of Smith elude rational explanation."
Here for the first time is published a full biography of this strange hero who earned a permanent place in the romantic history of Texas.
Handicapped by deafness from childhood, Yankee-born Erastus Smith eventually earned honor and fame in the paradoxical role of scout and spy in the Texas struggle for independence. After spending most of his life in loneliness and obscurity, he was suddenly hurled headlong into the blazing Texas Revolution. He served valiantly with Austin, Bowie, Travis, Milam, Fannin and other Texas immortals before being picked by Sam Houston as his chief scout and spy.
As the "eyes and ears" of the boisterous, blundering Texas army, he performed incredible feats, confounding the enemy and providing his Commander-in-Chief with the information necessary for planning the Battle of San Jacinto, resulting in overwhelming victory for the Texans. His destruction of Vince's Bridge assured the capture of Santa Anna, president of Mexico.
Known universally as "Deaf" Smith, he became the folk hero of the soldiers and citizens of the new-born Texas Republic. Sam Houston referred to him as "My friend, Deaf Smith, my stay in darkest hour!" Marquis James wrote, in The Raven: "Considering the tax of the other faculties that deafness imposed upon a scout, the achievements of Smith elude rational explanation."
Here for the first time is published a full biography of this strange hero who earned a permanent place in the romantic history of Texas.
- GenresHistory
141 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1973
9 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.