An Exerpt from
Milvern Harrell: Survivor of the Dawson Massacre
by Garland R. Lively
http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/19thcentury/articles/dawsonmassacre.aspx
SEE END OF LAST PARAGRAPH FOR WM TRIMBLE
"Perote Prison, originally known as Perote Prison, originally known as the Castle of San Carlos was located in the Mexican State of Vera Cruz and was constructed over a seven year period in the 1770s to guard one of their main trade routes and serve as a depository for treasure awaiting shipment to Spain. The massive stone fortress covered twenty six acres and was surrounded by a moat. It was used as a prison by the Mexicans and housed some 300 members of the ill fated Santa Fe Expedition that were captured in December 1841, plus the Dawson prisoners and about 200 of the Miers prisoners who had surrendered December 26, 1842. There were also the sixty Texans from San Antonio known as the Bexar prisoners who had gathered in Samuel Maverick’s home when Woll had occupied San Antonio. The Bexar prisoners and the unwounded Dawson prisoners arrived at Perote Prison on December 22, 1842. William E. Jones, one of the Bexar prisoners describes conditions at Perote Prison.
“The first four days after our arrival we were allowed to go about the castle. On the fifth we were chained in pairs and on the eighth or tenth day we were put to work, packing sand stone, lime, etc. into the castle. Our food consisted of poor beef, one day in three, beans, potatoes, rice and bread -- badly cooked-- the rations of these articles were always small, not being sufficient for a hearty man. At night we were locked up -- in the morning the doors were opened -- at nine o’clock paraded and counted -- put to work immediately afterwards.”
Despite Texan objection the prisoners were not considered as prisoners of war and were forced to perform common labor. The prisoners were allowed to communicate with friends, receive money and gifts and purchase items from the local Mexicans. On July 2, 1843 sixteen of the prisoners managed to escape through hole they had bored in the wall. Seven of these were recaptured, but the others made it back to Texas. Included in those that escaped to Texas was David Smith Kornegay and Richard B. Bartley, a close family friend of the Woods and Harrell families. nement at Perote Prison Norman Woods contracted the Yellow Fever and became seriously ill. Milvern Harrell still refused to attempt any more escapes, because he was dedicated to caring for his uncle, Norman Woods, who desperately needed his care. Due to his delicate condition, Norman was not required to wear chains as were the other prisoners. Milvern continued to care for Norman Woods whenever the Mexican soldiers permitted him to be with his uncle, until Woods finally died on December 16, 1843 in Perote Prison. William James Trimble died the same night of “Vomito” and both he and Norman Woods were buried in the prison Moat."