Confederate Biography : Moses Austin BRYAN,  Brenham, TX

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Submitted by Susie McFarland Lemin slemin46@yahoo.com
November 8, 2001
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson, p. 157

Moses Austin Bryan, of Brenham, was born in St. Genevieve county, in 
the territory of Missouri, September 25, 1817.  When thirteen years 
of age he came with his employer, W. W. Hunter, to Texas, sailing 
from New Orleans on the schooner Marie, which entered the Brazos 
river Jan. 2, 1831.  Three days later he set foot on Texan soil at 
the town of Brazoria and proceeded with Mr. Hunter to San Felipe de 
Austin, where they opened a store and were engaged the next few 
years in selling goods to the pioneers, hunters and Indians.  When 
his uncle, Stephen F. Austin, returned to Texas after his long 
imprisonment in Mexico, and was made chairman of the central 
committee of safety at San Felipe, he appointed Gail Borden and the 
subject of the sketch as his secretaries.  Bryan responded to the 
call to arms that followed the battle of Gonzales (the Texas 
Lexington) between the colonists and Mexican troops, and marched 
under the command of Austin to San Antonio, taking part in the siege 
of that place and in the assault that compelled the surrender of 
General Cos.  M. A. Bryan witnessed the proccedings of the 
convention at Washington on the Brazos in March, 1836, and was 
present when the declaration of independence was adopted.  As a 
soldier in Captain M. Baker's company he was with Gen. Sam Houston, 
often acting as his interpreter, on the retreat from Gonzales to 
the San Jacito river.  He took part in the charge of Burleson's 
regiment in the memorable battle of San Jacinto, behaving with 
distinguished gallantry.  Three holes were shot through his coat 
before the regiment carried the breast works by storm.  He was 
present when Santa Anna was broght before Gen. Houston.  The 
independence of the Republic of Texas now being firmly established, 
M. A. Bryan took up the work of a planter, and while thus engaged 
studied law.  While Anson Jones was minister plenipotentiary from 
the Texan repulbic to the United States, he served as secretary of 
legation at Washington.  In 1842 he was first lietenant of the 
Brazoria company that served under Gen. Somervell in the campaign 
that drove Woll, who had invaded Texas from Mexico and captured 
San Antonio, out of the young republic.  When the war between the 
states opened in 1861 he promptly volunteered in the Confederate 
service; was commissioned captain, and soon promoted major, serving 
until the surrender.  Marjor Bryan was married to Cora, daughter 
of Col. Ira B. Lewis, of San Felipe de Austin.  They had five 
children:  James, Beauregard, L. R., S. J. and Austin.  He died at 
his home in Brenham and lies buried there.