Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-05-19

the Luitor oil tne Baltimore Gazette, to
whom it was directed, to be from source
that entities il TO the fullest confidence. as
TO the correctness Of the statements which
it contains concerning the wanton massa
ere oil Col. tannin and his men, by the
soldiers of Santa Anna. The disposition
oil unsparing revenge, exhibited by the
Mexican General, ia the massacre Of those
unfortunate men whom the chances of war
had thrown into his power, is one Of the
most hendlsh and malignant, that the mind
can well conceive one that cannot, we
think, fail TO draw out for the Usurper the
excavations Of every individual, within
whose bosom generous or a noble senti
ment is permitted to dwell
DEAR SIR-This place is now The seat
of government of Texas. These are ex.
citing times, every man now walks with
full heari-noistened eyes, and compress
ed lips indicating his comminged feel
ings OF grief and anger, Young MADDEN
is here; he alone escaped, Of all the for.
ces that were with Col. Fannin. On the
nineteenth ultimo, Colonel Fannin, who
had weakened his force by sending par.
Ties on various expeditions, commenced
his retreat from Goliad, having with him
three hundred men. Two or three leagues
on this road he was attacked by a Mex
can army OF near three times bis mum
bers-infantry, cavalry, and artillery. II
was two hours before night. and the Texi
ans defended themselves with the most m.
daunted resolution against the repeated
charges and most vigorous efforts Of the
enemy, Until dark when they drew off their
forces having lost, killed and wounded,
$50 men. The Texans had ten men xii
led and several wounded-among the lat
ter was Col. fannin himself. During the
night the IexiaGs entrenched themselves
In their position on the prairie, The next
morning they found themselves surround
ed ny The Hexlcan army who sent an of
hcer with white flag, and he was met by
another from the Texans and a capitula
ton was entered into, hy which il was
stipulated ihat the Texans should surren-
der as prisoners of war-that they should
retaih their private property, and that they
should he sent to New Oteans and releas
ed upon their parole Of honor DOT 10 serve
again against the .Mexicans during the
war.
The reasons which induced the .urren
der without making further defence. was
the want of water, and a belief that the
.HeAIcans would comply with the articles
OF capt'uiaiIon, according 10 the custom
OF civilized nations.
The prisoners were all marched back
TO Goiad and were joined ~ other mar.
ues oil prisoners amounting IN all TO 407
men. They were kept eight days in con
iinement-being allowed only small
piece Of beef once day, and no bread :;
on the 9Th day at sunrise, they were mar
ched out under preteBce Of taking them 10
Copano TO embark for New Orleans.-
The prisoners rejoiced at the prospect of
speedy release-put when they found
themselves divided into four parties each
with guard Of overwhelming force and
that these parties were marched off by diff
lerent routes-they began to have gloomy
forebodngs. When they had marched
about quarter or half mile, Hadden's
companies heard firing in the direction
oil Col. fann'n's party.
murmur arose that they were killing
the prisoners, at that moment the guard
which were IN two lines-one on each side
oil the prisoners. passed all TO one side.
aud commenced fire by platoons at the
prisoners; young MADDEN and three others
yet unhurt, started and fled. The cayal-
~ armed with lances, pursued them ::
they plunged INTO the river and SWAN .
one was Killed IN the water. one on the
bank, and the fate Of the third is unknown.
Young MADDEN secreted himself until
night -!rom his hiding place he heard the
shrleks and groans of the wounded and
dying the cries Of 40 LoIdl o Lord !
have mercv!' and the most affecting Ella
culations Of distress were mingled with the
noise OF the guns which gradually subsidized
towards mid day when the hofrid work
was finished. The neighbors who have
known young MADDEN from bis childhood
say that his statement may be relied on
with implicit conGlence-no man can
hear hum tell his story and doubt its truth.
ana oiacker picture Of perfdy s. blood
Is not on record 10 the annals of history
lhe MeAcans have not 10 this case. as
at lampco, any legal grounds TO Justify
the cruel butcheIy. Texas had declared
herself an independent nation, and every
man hghtIns IN her cause was citizen.
and not pirate and an outlaw.
Miller, the Tennesseean, Ward, the
Georgian, son OF Gen Harrison oCOhio
and many of our old neghbors have fallan
victims to the diaboIcal massacre Tba
widow weeps, and the tender infant stare.
IN wonder at the mothers grief. The
Whole population TO the west, have fed,
In coming up we stopped at the worthy
old Capt. BIS. No welcome greeted our
arnVaI-the house was open the chair
where the aged grand mother sat was va
cant tue pratue OF the little children was
unheard the furniture was there the
mix pan was upon the shelf; the dough
lay IN the kneading trough the bacon
hung IN The meat house the door of the
corn CRIB vlbrated upon its hinges to the