Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-05-19

"lLL-LAA CiblSI !, .NVfuy Pu6Ite.
SANTA ASSA's Official account If the
f0J.ing # San .7ntonio.
| ARar ov OPERATIONS, ,
Head QHartsTs Of B,jaT, March G, 1886. (
To his Excellency tie Secretary Of War and
the Navy, General Don Jose Maria Tor
| mel;
Victory accompanies the Army, and
at this moment. being eight o'clock Of
the morning, We have had most COM
Pletc and glorious one. the memory Of
which time cannot e6face.
As announced to you the 9th OF the
past month, on communicating the cap
ture OF this town. I waited the arrival
OF the fret brigade Of infantry, in OF.
der TO operate efectually upon the fort
ress Of the Alamo. but all the divisions
OF which the brigade is composed no,
being able TO come up. only three batia-
lions succeeded in getting here by
doubling their marches. With these
battalions Of Zapadores, Albania, and
rolucs. those of Metamoras, Irminez,
and San Luis Potosi, | was enabled TO
select, leaving out the recruits, four
teen hundred infantry. These being
divided into four coldmns and a BODY
OF reserve. rs indicated in the general
orders Of yesterday, a copy of which
accompanies this dispatch, the assault
was given at five in the morning, and
met with the most obstinate resistance,
50 that during the struggle Of an hour
and a half, 1t ~ss necessary even to
bring up the reserve.
The spectacle which this conflict ex-
hibited was extraordinary. Men were
seen. in every direction, contending,
hand to hand. and disputing for the
mastery by the most heroic courage
Twenty-one pieces Of artillery, which
were served with great dexterity; the
rapid FIRE Of muSketry. which appeared
to illuminate the interior Of the fort
and the bitches and the walls, were in
sufficient obstacles to tie undaunteo
Mexicans. They behaved like valiant
men, and deserve the confederation of
the Supreme Government. and the
gratitude Of their countrymen.
The fortress at length remained in
our power. with its artillery, park, sc.
We buried in the bitches and trenches
more than six hundred bodies, all TO-
'reignerS, and in the immediate vicinity
an increased number, not yet accurate
~ known; these endesvoTing to escape
the bayonets Of the infantry, fell be-
meath the sabres Of our cavalry, whom
! bad placed in opportune situations. I
feel assured that very few have escaped
to inform their companions Of the re-
suit
Amongst the dead were found the
hrst and second in command Of the in
'urgents, Bowie and Travis. Colonies as
they entitled themselves; Crockett.
another of the same stamp, and the rest
OF their leaders, acting under authority
Of their Convention. On our side, we
bad seventy killed, and about three
hundred wounded among whom. two
principal and twenty-three subordinate
officers. The Just cause We are sus-
tanning somewhat recOnciles US To- this
loss; It being the duty OF every Mexi-
can older to die IN defence of his
county. To this cherished object. all
are disposed 10 make every sacrifice.
determined 10 permit no strangers.
whatever may be their preiensions, to
In'uIt the nation and occupy its terri.
tory.
Tho bearer Of this despatch carries
with him one Of the haes Of the enc
my, taken upon this occasion, that the
designs Of these trescheruus colonists.
and their corporations from the ports |
Of the United States, may be more
clearly perceived.
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA. |
The Mobile Advertiser Of the 18th !
ult. ssys:--"We nhdeTstand. the, Gen.
Games has despatched Capt. Hitch
cock 90 Santa Anna, 70 sseertain Whelb. !
eE be has invited the Indians from tbig
side tho boundary lie between the |
u. States and Texas. 10 assis, him IN |
the war he Is Wagihg with the Tex.
ians. lie goes OF course with the DAG /
OF the U. States 10 protect him. Should /
that not be respected, Santa Anna's
days will be numbered, and their sands
but few"
Il is the opinion Of many persons
who know Gen. Houston Of Texas, that
be is nol, and has not been ior seWs.
fal years, perfectly zane.