Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-06-02

Two or three gentlemer; who Tough,
under General Houston in the recent
glorious victory over Santa Anna, have
arrived in Mobile. One of them, j. An
drews, who resides near Merriwether
Springs in Georgia, has IN possession
various documents from officers high in
command, IN evidence OF the estima-
ton in which he is held on account OF
his manly department during the fight
between Col. Wards command and the
MeXicans, as well as in the recent bat
tie between Gen. Ilouston's army and
that Of Santa Anna. From this gem
tleman we learn the following particu-
lars Of the engagement, which are
confirmed in every particular by the
statements made by the others:
On The 2lst April, the Texans, I'M
der Houston, GOO strong, had manGu-
vred so As to get above and within
some two miles and in sight of the
MeXicans, under Santa Anna, who
were twelve hundred and seventy
strong, and near down to the fork OF
the tworiveIS-the Brassos and Sabine
Houston, having the enemy thus snug
ly hemmed in, had his little army
drawn up for the purpose OF address
ing it in person. Soldiers" said he,
there is the enemy-do you want to
fight" Yes was the universal
shout. swell, then" said he, "let us
eat our dinner, and then | will lead
you into the battle" They obeyed
the order TO eat, and Immediately there
after, at about o'clock, p. NJ. were
marched TO the attack.
They bore down upon the Mexicans
at the top Of their speed, reserving
their fire until near enough to have
every shot tell. A hot engagement
was kept up for about twenty minutes,
when the Mexicans began to break and
retreat in great disorder and confusion.
The Texans carried all before them.
Although they had but half the num-
Der of the Mexicans, and but two pie
ces of cannon of four pound each,
while the enemy had six and nine
FOUNDER, yet in fifteen minutes after
the engagement commenced, manv of
the Mexicans called loudly for quarter.
After the route of the Mexicans,
Houston's men continued to follow up
and pour in upon them for about two
hours. Upwards Of six hundred and
fifty MeXicans were killed, and about
six hdndred taken prisoners. There
were six or seven Texans killed, and
about twenty wounded. Generals Cos
and Aln.onte were among the prisoners
first taken. The former was pale and
greatly agitated, but the latter display
ed, as he had dons during the fight,
great GOODNESS and courage.
Santa Anna fled among the earliest
who retTeaied. He was seen by two
boys, one about Is, and the other
about IL years Of age, TO go into a
thicket of wood. They kept watch of
the place during the night, and the
next morning a man came out dressed
like common Mexican soldier. Not
suspecting him to be Santa Anna, they
took him prisoner. lie offered no re-
sistance, but wished TO be- taken TO
]
to that officer, when he made himself
known as Santa Anna, asked the re-
spect due officers Of rank, and made
the offers for bis liberty which have
been published Santa Anna. Mr.
Andrews says, is apparently about 81
years Of age. Of rather small stature.
dark complexion. black hair, black
bright eyes. and altoge good look
ing man.
When questioned as 10 the murder
Of Coils. Tanning and Ward and the
men under their command, he stated
that IN the battle the evening previ-
Gus TO their surrender. about 1900 Of
the MexIcans we're killed, while not
more than % TEXANS had fallen--ihat
the Texans had exhausted their am
munition and were without water, that
they surrendered upon the terms Of
capilulation, since published. bu, that
be bad been induced 10 violate those
terms Tor two reasOns-frst. because
the day after the surrender Of Colonel
Ward and those under his command
the Number of prisoners became 90
great "a consequence that he had not
prO,inOns sufficient for them and his
own army; and secondly, be had not
men enough 10 keep them securely
Consequently Col. Ward, and almost
ell hn soldiers. we're shot with Col.
FanRing.
When questioned respecting the
fgh. near the Mission, between the
Mexicans and Col. Wards company
he stated that about 100 Of the Mexi-
cans we're killed, but that Col. Ward
and his men were protected by the
walls Of the Church, in which they
had stationed themselves.
The following named persons under
the command Of Coils. flaming snd
Ward. made their eseape--Joseph An
oRwn. (our intoTnanil Darid Halt.