The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-08-18
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Foote'S History of Teras and the 7tzians.
BATE OF SAN JACINTO.

BATE OF SAN JACINTO.
Cos had reinforced Santa Anna, as ap.
pretended The Dictator had now more
than fifteen hundred soldiers around him.
The Texians could only muster seven hun.
dred and eighty:three. 1t was not posi-.
lively known in the Texian camps that Cos
had arrived; and, at any rate, additional
reinforcements were yet 10 be apprehended
There was bridge which afforded the only
means ofpassinsa creek between the Bras
sos river and the camp Of Santa Anna.
Deaf Smith proposed that authority should
be given him to destroy this bridge. Such
an application could not be refused. The
bridge was demolished by Smith, Carnes,
Tapham. and another. BY this time, the
battle was raging. The army of Freedom
was thus arranged: "The first regiment,
commanded by Col. Burleson, was in the
centre. The second regiment, under the
command of Col. Sherman, formed the left
wing of the Amy. The artillery, under
The special command of Col George w.
Hockey. inspe ctor.generaI, was placed on
the right of the first regiment; and four
companies of infantry, under the command
of Lieutenant Col. MiIlard, sustained the
artillery on the right. The Texan caval-
ry, sixty one in number, commanded by
Col. Mirabeau B. Lamar, (whose gallant
and daring conduct on The previous day
had altrcled the admiration Of his conf
rades, and called him to that slation) plac-
ed on the extreme right, completed the
Texan line"
1t would be altogether mistake to sup.
pose that more that minute "r Two were
occupied by the soldiers Of Freedom, in
taking their appropriate stations in The
field. This was all perfectly understood
among them beforehand. 1t would be
equally all error 10 regard the contest
which now occurred as any thing like or.
tinary battle. 1t was in fact rather a
unipersal assault upon the enemy's line,
the magnificent acting out of the plan
Of attack Of the day before. Col. Sherman
again commenced the fight; his brave SOL
diers were seen running towards the foe.
and were heard laundering forth The
dreadful war-cry "Remember the Alamo!
Aiamo!r' The same sound was instantly
heard along the whole Texan line, and
every man was in rapid motion towards
the barbarian breast.Work. There was
not much need Of Generals. Colonels, Ma.
iors, Captains, Leutenants, or Ensigns,
lust at this instant Of time. All had but
one object, one spirit, one duty; each man
rushed forward as rapidly as possible, to
wreak long.suspended vengeance upon
the assassins of Liberty, the inhuman mur-
derers of their friends, relatives, and
countryman Every private had become
an officer now,--every officer daring and
deep-performing soldier. Each armed
hand" seemed to represent the vigour of
whole company Of ordinary men.
"Lcd in fight, yet leader seemed
Each warrior as in chief, expert -
When to ADVANCE or stand, or turn the sway
Of battle, open where, and when to close
The ridges of grim war; no thought of flight.
None of retreat; no unbecoming deed,
That argued fear; each on himself relied,
As in his only arm, the moment lay
Of Victory"
The Texan soldiers on the right and dlefi
wings succeeded in forcing the enemy to
give ground first: the Barbarian centre
remained unbroken little longer only; in
eighteen minutes their whole line yielded
to the fury Of the Texan assault; and MexI
can officers and men were seen flying IN
every direction, some on horseback, some
on foot, some awards the bridge which
had been broken down, some towards the
adjoining lake, into which they preciPisas'
ed themselves headlong, and were there
either slain or drowned. Such scene as
was now proceeding defies all description
The fugitives who fled on foot were
closely chase.l by the Texan infantry an"
killed by scures, as they ran before them
with ali the speed which terror could i'm
part to their bastard limbs. The Texan
Cavalry, who had charged and routed that
of the enemy had dashed after them. as
they gaIloped towards the place where the
bridge over the creek had lately stood
What was the dismay of the barbarian
horseman when they saw that it had been
broken down! Some of them leaped to the
ground, threw themselves into the creek,
and attempted to gain the opposite shore.
Some again, seeing the Texan Cavalry
lust behind them, spurred their horses
down the precipitous bank, and struggled
thus TO get out of reach Of the destroyers.
But the efforts of the greater part Of them
were vain; the slaughter here was prodi-
g;ous; the waters the creek are said lit