Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-06-14

Correspondence If the " D. Bullctin Stay 81. J

TEXAS
Correspondence Of the y. o. Bulletin, Muy Ell
GALVESTON, May /, l,3G.
Dear Sr:-On the 2Gtl Of March the IrIan army
under General ioustun took up its line of march from
the East bank of the Colorado and retired, aud few
days afterwards established cncalnpncnt tr
West side Of the BRACES, between lake and the river,
in thIckc almost lmpenetrablr, near Groces Ferry.
This position they continued 10 occupy two three
weeks, keeping spies 10 observe The movements Of
the enemy, who crossed the Colon ado Ut TuacaSe, and
occupied that position several days, when not being
able to learn any thing of the TrHian army. they
advanced upon San Felipe. which place had been burnt,
and made cint TO the Brazos at that pace-thcn
made forced march to the Fort Bend ~ or ST miles
below, and crossed part Of their forces before
li-y discovered. The movement notified to
Houston by express and lie Immediately crossed his
army The East side Of the BRACES. by hr help Of
steamboat. wlict he had pressed and OBTAINED for that
purpose. Tie army remained upon the Fast bank Of
the river day and half, when having learned that
The enemy had made movement towards Harrisburg,
they made forced march, and the fourth day
ed Buffalo Bayou three miles below the town, which Tie
enemy ha-laid in ashes. The Mcxcans had continued
their march and burnt New Washington, and re-
turning up The San Jacinto 10 the river al Lynchs
Ferry when the 18th ult., their advance their
prise, Tell in with small parties Of the Texans On the
2uh the two armies were encampcd within mile Of
each other-iie Texan above and the Mexican below
Lynch's Ferry. On the day there q sharp
conflict between the Try:an cavalry and body of the
enemy, cavalry and infantry, six eight times their
number. When the conflict had terminated, most of
The TeXan infantry literally angry that the Gene
raj had not permitted them to take part in the engage
mrn feeling confident tina, they could have annih!latcd
the cnemy-wirh consisted Of about 700 men, and was
commanded by Santa Anna in person Early the next
morning General Cos joined Santa Anna with Il strong
reinforcement, by forced march.
Never did men engage in battle with irmcr dctcrn
nation 10 conquer or die. They had nothing 10 hope of
mercy from the Perdious and cruel enemy. They had
hope Of lite-but in victory.
soft Lp Npyi otoI
from 80 to 1900 men. The Trxnn forces cstimat
ed at from Go to $50 men, The Sick the lazy and the
cowarGly had been left behind in the forced march, and
found several Of my friends with other apparel but
that which they had upon their persons, aud they
without even blankets TO them at night. On the
2ls at clock, p ii. the Texian army marched out
OF their encampment 10 attack the enemy. They had
two pieces Of small iron artilery-u present from the CT
LIENS OF Cncinnati-:T cavalry, BOO regulars and
lunteers, armed with nuskes and Eayoncs and the
sdue were armed with rifles mud belt pistols. The Mex
leans were encanped high prairie, with their right
resting cedar thicket upon The border IF lake con-
ncctrd With the San Jacnto river. The division Of Cos
abb ut $50 yards in tho Of their front liuc
ing in careless security after their forced march, The
IrXan army, taking advantage OF the duatios of the
ground approached and placed themselves in line
400 yards in front Of the enemy in the open prairie and
advanced upon them. The General rode in front OF the
line, and gave the first order to fire upon the enemy
The enemy fired their cannon five times only 1t was
loaded the sixth time and prlmcd-the who held the
match was killed by boy and the piece taken. II is
splendid brass FOUNDER, bearing the ptioHs 'iEl
Volcan, and "VoIa fuImna Regis, in Roman capital
letters. The cannon was taken and the enemy put 10
ront nineteen minutes alter the first gun was fired
The slaughter among the enemy ranks tremendous.
took deliberate look the field three days after the
battle. The sight horrible. Here lying in clusters
there scattered singly-lhe ground Strewcd with
dead men, dead horses, guns ia yocts swords, drums
trunpes- shattered and brokcn-books, papers,
shoes, sandals, CAUSE.-THE chaos OF a routed army,
strewcd upon the ground-in confusion which the ina.
ginaon cannot concriye-the natural eye must behold,
TO be convinced Of the reality.
The faces of most Of the dead black ne
eroeshorbly swollen and distorlcd-the tongues pro-
truingthc skin bsIered-the limbs in many instances
swollen, elevated and laf exended-horrble and dis
gus,ing masses Of corruption.
When the Texan army made The charge. The shouts
of Alamo Alamo Alamo I! filled the air-braccd
the hearts Of the assaunts to avengc the death Of their
deceased trends-whc the hearts Of The enemy quaiIed
with the conscious guilt of the cruel OF brave
and The dread o the day of vengeance having
The shouts Of Alamo! Travis! Crockett! Fann;n
were terrible to the enemy, the trump which may call
the guilty 10 their final account
Olhe whole gbl wing of the enemy. only
capped death They slaughtered and finally driven
into the water, and the rifles ceased their cracks
while an otjec, appeared above its surface.
The left wing or the enemy fled in confused order
commanded by COL Anonte, and laid down tlci. arms
and surrendered TO small body OF cavalry, two miles
from the battlefield.
The number Of the enemy's killed is estimated al
about 100 and HE prisoners taken above 800
more than 200 oil the.n wounded There are ~ officers
prisoners including Almon,e, Cos, and Santa Anna |
himself.
Santa Anna taken the next day after the battle,
about 10 miles above in the woods, in mean citizen
dress, and did not make himself known until he was
taken into the presence of General Houston, to whom
he Immediately offered a feast of soft corn.
You will be gratlhed by description Of Santa Annals
person. His forehead is high, but narrow in front. |
spreading il extends back ooIquply-hair moderately
back-sina!l whskels, little mixed with grey. The
skn wrinkles the lower part Of his forehead as lie ele
Yates his eyes 10 speak. He has large, mild, black eyes
his is narrow between the eyes, but is olerabIy
straight, and becomes leshy towards the end His mouth
IS nothing extraordinary, The upper lip rather projec,ing
one Of his upper front teeth is gone his under jaw
ong His countenance is animated when speaking-i
His complexion is little awny; but he shcw VS. more of
Inc Moorish than the Mexican lincture. He might pass
Tor white man. but would not pass for a native in the
United States. His heg ht is Ave feet inches or per-
,ups more and he is tolerably we'll propor!ioned His
lge is forly-one.
Gen. Cos taken two days after the battle and was
brought back TO camp, picture Of fear. VIXEN first
Jaw him, he was lying upon The ground, and had hid
himself under little old banket-the only pats which