South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-06-11
FoRr TRAvIs.

~'s~'
Fort TRAvIs,
GALVESTON ISLAND, April &c. 1886.
EDWARD HALL, Esq.
DEAR SIR: The enclosed statement
of the awful massacre of Col. Fannin's
division of the Texan army has this mo-
ment reached me. transmit it to you
for publications
Some few others of that unfortunate
detachment effected their escape g. have
got in. / presume the statement of the
tragic scene, made in the enclosed, ia
substantially correct. The unpreceden-
ted perfdy, the shameless cruelty Of our
enemies, must and will be chastlsed.
In great haste your obedlent servant,
DAVID G. BURNETT,
Mr.. EDIroR: Dear Sir---Should the
annexed account ofthe battle ofthe Co.
letto on La Bahia, be deemed of suffi-
cient interestto be worthy of publication,
it is at your service.
Yours, &c.
BENZ. II. HOLLAND,
Captain OF Artillery.
Or or about the 18th of March. or
ders were issued by General Houston
10 destroy the town and fort Of La Ba-
hia, and the forces to fall back to
Gonzales, to unite with him aud con-
centrate all The Texian forces.
Prior to the receipt of these orders,
Capt. Kings company was ordered to
the Mission, Ga distance Of about rs
miles, in order to relieve some families
who we're in danger Of falling into the
enemy's hands. Upon their arrival
at the Mission they were met and at
lacked by large body Of the enemy
aud after gallant and we'll sustained
fight, retreated in an orderly and judi.
cious manner to the church, where
they sustained themselves against q
very superior number Of Mexicans and
Indians with but small loss to them-
selves, but severe loss 10 the enemy
until relieved by the Georgia battalion
under Colonel Ward, who bad been
sent to their aid. The separation Of
our forces caused Us TO delay our res.
treat. An express was sent to Coll.
Ward at the Mission to fall back and
join the forces at Goliad with all pos-l
sible despatch or should he be cut Off
by the enemy,( Of whose advance from
San Patrico we had intelligence to
make good his retreat thro' the Gaud-
aloupe bottom, and join the army at
Victoria.
Ga 10th our scouts brought intels
Iigence that q body of the enemy 49,
900 strong, were on the San Antonio
road. Many Of the cannon having
been disnlo1nted preparatory TO res
treat,we Immediately remountedthem,
as we anticipated an attack that night.
About IL O'Clock the picket guard
gave the alarm, and re.reated into the
fort it however proved to be only tles
enemy's spies accommodating. o. the
18th, the enemy forded the San Aato-
MO river, Il showed themselves at the
old Mission, distance from our fort ot|
four miles. This day We destroyed
the whole town OF L.. Bania by ires.|
battering down all ruined walls, so as
to secure US a full sweep Of the enemy
should they attack the iori.
March lS.-Fne enemy still hov-
erine round the old Mission, council
Of war was lIet,whea is was decided
that inasnuc1 as our Ammunition was
not suilicieat to snstaln siege, and az
our provisions were shufty aud as vel
were wslawafe OF the oyerv ,sI ming
force of the enemy il was adv saole 10
fall back 10 V.ctosia.
This night we made every peepsras
ton for az early retreat 10 the IN ,rnf g,
aad by day lisat eyeEy one VAS ~
mas ch,ng order: before day scouting
patty was despatched 10 ascertain the.
position Of the enepy, WAC rstTeNee
SHORTLY alter day lighl, aud reported
the lower road Osng ctsar. Colonel
-iiofion was then otdefea oy Co.onsj
Faaain TO posi- all advance, rear, r'gn;