Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-05-17
Prom the New Orleans Bulletin.

H.GHLY IMPORTANT FROM TEXAS.
We have been politely favored with the fol-
lowing sxtract written 10 a gentleman of this
city from Natchitoches, which goes still farther
to corro5orate tho account received by the Lc-
Want which We publish to-day.
The substance of which is, that an express has
! arrived here, via Nachitoches, from Texas, and
is confirmed by General Gaines, that Gen. Hous-
ton, of Texas, has conquered Santa Ana and
are his army. Santa Ana himself and his soldiers
all prisoners. The forces of Santa Ana were
| estimated at 100; and those eff Houston 600.
The express further states that IIouston's army
destroyed half of the Alexicans, and the loss on
his side was 6 killed and 90 wounded.
The saddle OF Santa Anna was taken and
troaght in, and is of costly order, being estima-
ted Us worth between or 900 dollars, and the
express who brought in the news, rode on the
horse of Santa Ana
Al this ind2cdis cheering news, calculated TO
arouse all the better feelings which arc implanted
ia the hearts Of those WHO can rejoice at the tri
umph of freemen over their civil and savage op-
prcssors. The intelligence received carly yes
terday morning, and which is also published, will
be seen 30 be confirmed by the news brought
BY the Icyant, with the difference only that the
numbers ofthe enemy killed and taken by Gen.
Houston vary in amount.
Fl. Q'Rs, ARMY, April 90, 1896.
To The Pe4YPle tOrdrds Nacogdoehes:
We met Santa Ana on the 2lst; we attacked
him with 600 men; he had ITO infantry, two
howitZers-wc entirely routed his whole force,
killed half of his men, and took the rest prisoners
Santa Anna himself and all his principal officers
arc orr prisoners. The history of war does not
furnish parallel to the battle. We had killed
and 20 wounded. 4 have not time or would
send on full report. Will do that tho
ofto-morrow. i again call on my fellow citizens
to come to the field; let us fall on and conquer
the remaining troops, and our country is free,
turn out at once, there is no excuse now; let US
do the work at once.
TIiOS. J. RUSH, Sec. at War.
I certify The above TO be true copy of the
express just received from the Secretary of War,
who was himself in the battle.
To J. r. Dunn. ..
/. SdG 4rGustiRc, April s6.
The following is the information which came
70 hand carly yesterday morning -.
4 gentleman tthis city who arrived tlils morn
ing from Attakapas in tho S. y: Velocipcde
states, that on tho evening previous to his depar-
ture two persons arrived at st. MartinsrIllc,
direct frem Texas. That these persons who ap-
pc1rcu 10 DC lllcu VI SspSctapiitt, ISiatSu 90 q
positive fact, that an engagement had taken place
between the Texiun forces under General Hous-
ton, and the Mexican army, in which tho latter
were totally roated having lost 700 men in killed
and wounded, aad500 prisoners, among whom
was Gen. Cos. The loss OF the Texans is said
to bcincoasiderablc.
The circumstances as related by these gentle
men, were that the Mexican army had from some
cause or other been separated into two bodies
dividedb the River BTaZos, that the sudden rise
of that river prevented the two bodies from effect
ing Il iunc.ion-that Houston marched against
the larger body amounting to 1905 or ld9G men
that the latter retreated and in there retreat set
fire to the town Of Harrisburg. Houston sue
ceeded in oyertaking them about seven miles
from that town, and by q sudden md vigorous
attack on them, and after some severe fighting
the Mexicans were totally defeated, with the loss
above mentioned. The gentleman stated that
thev we're short distance from Harrisburg and
could distinctly hear the firing and that the re.
suit was wellknown before their -dcparturc--that
Houston has marched in pursuit oflthe other
body which it was supposed could not possibly
escape him.
The /" Bee" after giving the substance of the
above adds.
*.* "Sincc writing the above, VIC heard il. sta
ted as if on good authority that Gen. Houston
held council of war on the fate of his prisoners
and that Santa Ana and all his officers had been
shot the privates were sent to Matamoras. 1t
was alse stated that General Gaines had written
a private letter confirmatory of this account but
we did not see it. There can however be no
doubt that Houston has conquered and that the
Mexican army is prostrated. The day of retsi-
button has at length eemc, and Texas is free.
The following letter was addressed by tho
Secretary of war to the Chairman of the Com
mitteelof Ways and Means in relation the defence
of our S. w. frontier.
WAR DErARTMEST, Max 4, 1896.
SIR: In January last orders were given to
Major General Gaines to take measures for the
defence of the Western frontier of Louisiana.
Events which were then passing in Texas led to
the belief that state of things might arise
requiring the interposition Of the Government
to protect the inhabitants of that portion of the
United States from the calamitics of war.
There were then placed, subject to Gen.
seven companies Of dragons, and he was in.
structed to prevent by force, if necessary, any
| armed parties from crossing tho boundary line
into the territory Of the United States. He was
also informed that the 33d article Of the treaty
with Mexico imposes upon both Of the con-
tracing parties the duty of preventing all hostile
incursions on the part of the Indians into the
possessions of the other; and he was directed to
take the necessary measures for fulfilling this
obligation on the part of the United States. He
was also instructed if called upon by the civil
authority for any aid towards enforcing the laws
having relation to the ;.eutral duties of the
United States, to render such assistance as the
laws prescribe. And he was referred to the
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