Complex sentence: With the wind pushing them forward, the two Texan ships engaged the larger Mexican adversaries; and despite heavy damage to the "Austin" and three dead, the Mexicans fared worse losing 183 sailors and being forced to flee the battle.
Split into simpler sentences: With the wind pushing them forward, the two Texan ships engaged the larger Mexican adversaries despite heavy damage to the "Austin" and three dead. The Mexicans fared worse losing 183 sailors and were forced to flee the battle.