New-York daily tribune., 1844-08-27

BYA TEXAN LADY.
On the eventful 2lst of April, 1886, the impa-
ticnt Texans heard the desired, the demanded
order to form for battle. Five minutes suficed
for the work. Sherman, burning to wash away
the very name of retreat, held the left; brave
Burleson led the centre, while the courteous La.
mar reined his s,eed at the head OF the little band
of cavalry at the right The Texans counted
something over 700, and knew the Mexicans
who were awaiting the onset in their entIench
trsnts, were much the strongest-double thei
numbers perhaps. They cared not, the fury o
fixht was upon them. There was no tactics, nc
plan, no manDugre-the word was given. Col
Sherman answered with the cry Of Alamo
Alamo !" and dashed impetuously TO the charge
Remember the Alamo" ran along the line
as the whole army rushed upon the foe. The
Mexican's line was bruken ct the right and left
for brief space the centre stood firm, but only
for brief space-in eighteen minutes the Mex.
can army was retreating-f fying-before the ho'
pursuit of the Texans. They fed towards a
bridge which spans Vina's Bayou, between their
scouts, had caused il 10 be cut away. The rout
was complete. As Burleson's regiment carried
the Mexican breastwo,k, Gen. Houston received
a wound just above the left ancle; he called a
halt. a. am wounded" !" he exclaimed" Halt,
glory enough had besn gained and blood
enough shed for one day" Gen. Bush and the
officers saw that to stop, to hesitate at this cnu
cal moment, would change their victory TO de-
feat. and giving no heed to the order, rushed on
wk.ie cen. Houston, who could not believe the
triumph of the Texans was 50 absolute, again
forbade the advance and escorted by company
or two retired to the camp. The Mexlcans,
VITA Gen. Santa Ana in their midst, fled towards
the demolished bridge, cloEely pursued BY La
mars cavalry; it was gone, and almost unre-
.isting the unfortunates were moved down to the
appalling shout of Goliad and the Alamo
Santa Ana found temporary shelter IN
grove few hundred yards above the site of the
bridge, and in the night he escaped in disguise
into the prairie where he was taken the next
day, but from noon to sunset the Bayou ran red
with the lfe-blood of his best and bravcst. Six
hundred and thirty fell in battle and fight, and
se ven hundred and thirty rendered themselves as
prisoners. The carnage might have been less
but fer the remembrance Of Travis and Fannln.
Mercy is not born OF such deeds as stained that
Palm Sunday Of Goliad.
On the evening of the 2ad, plainly dressed
prisoner was brought to the tent OF Gen. Hous-
ton. In courtly but firm manner he announced
himself as Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana,
President of Mexico, and prisoner Of war. Less
than Justice has been done to the graceful and
soldierly bearing of the Mexican Ghetto the
chivalric son of the old Aztec Princes-Almonle,
the noble, Castrillion, and many other brave men
who suffered in the defeat of San Jacinto. The
rank and file of the Mexican army had no per,
sonal interest in the matter, and always woulo
run whom they bad an opportunity but the 9th
GERS, if Ices enthusiastic, were not interior III
courage, and assurcdly not in military skill to
the Texans. The atrocities at Goliad are lnde-
iensible, but they originated in the belief that
stern, we'll applied blow would end the rebellion
The history and usages Of the old Nations TEEN
with such examples, bu. however congenial with
Kingship, they belong not to Republics, and will
not be perpetrated by Republicans.
It was now the turn of the Mexicans to plead
for the mercy they denied 10 others; their liyes
we're in the hands of the men whose kindred they
one month before had so unpityingy slaughtered
Their chief who would keep NO terms" was new
forced to receive them from the victorious anc
tesentful Texans.
Behold the de,oln,or. dcsolus:
'rhe victor overthruwn,
The nrbter cf sheI late
supphaut ior li own.
An armistice was proposed and concluded two
days after the battle, between Gen. Houston at
sisted by Rusk, the Secretary Of War, and Pr
sidens Santa Ana in these terms.
Hostillties were to cease Instantly; the Mexican
army still in field, was 10 iall back upon Goliac
and San Antonio, and Gen. Santa Ana was to be
cent ay carly as possible to Mexico. aud he en-
gagged on his arrival thero 10 procure formal
recognition of the inds spendcncc OF Mexico.
President Burnett hastened to the camp and
expressed much surprise at finding Gen. Hous'on
had gone into the civic duties of treating instead
Of following up his military successes. However
as tho armistica was made, and Santa A ma had
fulfilled part OF the conditions by ordering his &c
nerals to retreat he disposed to carry out tn,
arrangement Let US not" he said, incur tn,
STAN of faithlessness" Suppressing all private
feeling .he FIRST Presidsn, of Texas convened hi,
cshiuc. 10 decide what was due 10 justice and th'
common veal. The army and the people louoly
csmnndcd some retribution for their murdcreo
children and wasted homes, but Burnett was not
to DC moved from the course of duty by the popn
lar impatience. He was humane, farsigh,ed
man, and cared less for revenge than to obtain
from the illustrioas prisoner favorable treaty.
Mirabeau B. Lamar, who had succeeded Gen
Rusk in the War Department, was opposed to sh'
relea.o Of Santa Ana and his officers. He wished
to retain hostages against future aggression, ano
equivalents for the lives of future Texan captives
HIS arguments were stern, energetic, and, as la
ter events developed, prophetic. Hs read at b
glance and distinctly predicted tho inefficacy o.