Erastus "Deaf" Smith (April 19, 1787 - November 30, 1837) was an American frontiersman noted for his part in the Texas Revolution and the army of the Republic of Texas. He fought at the Grass Fight and the Battle of San Jacinto. After the war, Deaf Smith led a company of Texas Rangers. Wikipedia
The definitive Wikipedia entry for Deaf Smith. Wikipedia is the biggest multilingual free-content encyclopedia on the Internet. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaf_Smith
Young Perry Alsbury . 1858 letter to Congressman Jesse Grimes describing the burning of Vincent's bridge . San Antonio, January 14, 1858. www.its-my-website.com/Texasdocs/Alsburyletter.htm
Erastus Smith was hearing impared. Despite this handicap, however, Smith became one of Sam Houston's most reliable and most trusted scouts. www.lsjunction.com/people/smith.htm
General Houston ordered "Deaf" Smith and a detail to destroy the bridge and prevent further enemy reinforcements. www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/batsanjacinto.htm
It was the famous scout, Erastus (Deaf) Smith, who led six volunteers to burn the bridge over Vince Bayou, the major access to the San Jacinto field. www.themonitor.net/Archive/4-20-06/frontpage.htm