Nacogdoches Court

Nicholas Descomps Labadie (1802-1867), a physician and an army surgeon during the Texas Revolution, published his reminiscences in the Texas Almanac in 1859.

These reminiscences included an account of war crimes committed by Nacogdoches judge and mayor, John Forbes. Labadie claimed that during the Texas Revolution Forbes murdered several Mexican women, took prisoners without justification, and stole a gold snuffbox from a dead Mexican officer after the battle of San Jacinto. Forbes filed a civil suit in the Nacogdoches court against Labadie for libel. The suit remained active until Forbes won in 1867 and had his reputation restored.

Sources:

Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. "Forbes, John," http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/FF/ffo8.html (accessed July 9, 2010).

Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. "Labadie, Nicholas Descomps," http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/LL/fla5.html (accessed July 9, 2010).

From the description of John Forbes vs. Nicholas Labadie Transcript, 1858-1867 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 741763919