Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-05-12

BAD NEWS.

The Affairs Of this, now truly urhap- |
py Country. continue in the most me-
lsncholy and desperate state. and the
enemy with which they have TO con.
tend possesses not Only numbers, pow
err and means in abundance, but ali the
requisites Of judgment. cunning. and
military tact.
The New Orleans Bee furnishes adj
d,honal intelligence, which shows too
conciusively that the march OF the Mex
leans Is too fear!ully orrDd. and that
nothing can arrest their movement.
but . contact with the troops Of the L..
States. which seems some y hat possible.
The Bee. in introducing the iafor-
nation. remarks:-" The last intelli-
gence from Texas is Of a melanc holy
nature; but We have still hopes that the
Texisns will be enabled TO recover all
that they have lost. The enemy has
been willy and energetic in his move
ments; aud dividing The invading ar
my into three divisions-one Of which
lately passed the forks Of the Trinity
river. and thence was escorted tow ards
Nacogdoches, by the Caddo Indians.
This force consisted Of about 100 men,
which, with the credited number of In
thans, made about 1000. Il cannot,
therefore. be wondered that the Tex
ians should desert and DESTROY their
towns; still il can scarcely be doubted
but that eventually they will be sue.
cessful even against a species Of assas-
nnating army.
1t is now fortunately to some de-
gree a contest between the U. States
and Mexico, or, "to this complexion
must il come at last" in consequence
Of the murders pracised. which are
contrary 10 the law Of nations, and
place the invading army Of Santa Anna
beyond the International law. The
Mexicans can now be considered only
80 brigands; and the independence of
Texas being declared. our Government
should not only act as mediator, but q.
avenger.
Below. we publish a letter from q
correspondent W ho was one of Fannin's
company before its massacre. Itisnow
eoroborated. Though that letter COM
municates no later intelligence, it mar
rates the confederation and motives of
events in a manner not hitherto done.
The details of Fsnnin's massacre pre-
sent tale OF horror. The only addi-
tionsl intelligence that we have re-
eeived, worthy Of credit. is the attack
Of the Indians on the Texans, in the
northern parts, and the contemplated
interference Of General Gaines.
II Is stated that the right wing Of the
invading army Of Mexicans made .
forced march on Nacogdoches, which
was deserted in consequence OF the
double attack from the Indians and
Mexicans. The army Of Houston NAV
scon be therefore surrounded on all
sides, and made the prey Of the enc
my; so that it will appear that the Tex
ians bad declared their independence
and lost their country and existence. j"
Further particulars of tie bsr5aro.;
Massacre of Col. FGnnia.-Col. Fan
min evacuated Goliad on the 10Th o.
March. by order Of Gen. Houston, com
mander-in-chief. His force was be-
tween 90 and $40. AboutS miles east
OF The fort they were surrounded by the
enemy with 1000 cavalry and infantry
The advance guard were cut of, p in
number. The attack was made by the
enemy between 4 and 5 O'Clock, p. NJ
Fannin fought them until late in the
evening, and repulsed them with q
small ioss on bis part, while that OF the
enemy was 100 killed and a grea,
many wounded. After the enemy had
fallen back. Colonel Fannin entrenched
himself during the night. On the fol.
lowing morning the enemy showed q
white flag. Fannin went out to meet
the commanding general, who repre-.
sented TO Colonel Fannin that he knew
the force opposed to him-ihat he wa.
entrenehed in an open prairie without
water. that he was surrounded, ana
that his men must perish, that he wish.
ed 10 show him quarters, SC.
A capitulaiion was made with the
usual form Of honorable warfare. Col
Fsnnin was 20 lay down his arms, and
march back 10 Goliad; where they
were TO remain six or eight DAYS as pri.
soners Of war, TO be shipped TO New
Orleans from Copano. They surren.
dercd on these conditions, on The oh
day alter their arrival at Gol.ad. They
were assured tina, vessel was ready "a
receive them at Copano. TO embark for
New Orleans, and Col. F. marched out
in hle. the Mexicans each side Of him
They we're marched down about five
miles, and the order was given to FIRE
upon thsmi At the first FIRE nearly
every nan fell--a Mr.. Hidden Of Tex.
as and three others succeeded in reach.
idg some bushes about 100 yards dis.
tant. They werespursued by the enc.
my into the high grass, where they LOS
sight Of them. Hidden remained in the
grass all night; in the morning be sue.
eeeded IN making bis escape.
BY the Lsvant we also have infor.
maiioa that the Indians on the Mexi.
can fiontier have risen in great force
that one American had been killed, and
thsi all was confusion aad terror IN the
country. Gen. Gaines bad ayanced q
Nhn AnhsUn 18th .kc..N .~-.- a.