New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-08-21
VOL. Nv. NO. IEG


ity in the timbers, but they would not abandon
their helpless companions. In the morning the
attack was renewed after a few rounds the
Mexicans showed, but instantly withdrew again,
a white flag. After slight pause and hasty
consultation the Texans raised one in return it
was responded to and Col. Fannin went forward
10 propose an honorable capitulation. 1t was
agreed that, being volunteers, the Texan soldiers
should give up their arms and be sent back to the
U. States. Col. Holsinger entered the Texan
lines with the words &c Well, gentlemen, in eight
days, liberty and home" 1t was that eternal
home which falsehood cannot invade. On this
the Texans surrendered and were marched back
to Golad the same night On Palm Sunday, the
9th of March, the prisoners were led out in four
detachmcnts, under different pretcnces, and shot
in cold blood by order Of Gen. Urea. They spared
not even the wounded-all were murdered. Or
the four hundred volunteer defenders Of Goiad
about thirty escaped, es it were by miracle.
Such fearful losses sent q shuddcring chill Of
discomfort throughout the land. Gould not this
have been avertcd asked Tex=s. Is the blood
of our sons to be poured out in waste asked the
United States. The campaigns Of '35 and 80
arise in painful contrast. Three hundred men
with an equal reseryc-stormed the Alamo five
DAYS, and took it from the artillery of thirteen
hundred Mexcans Three months after, 4,0OO
Mexicans advance to rc-take it from 110 Texans,
and after fourteen days of close siege, succeed
because there are none left TO dispute the walls.
Meanwhile, Texas and her General look tran
onillv on, as if the heroic selfsacrifice Of these
men was something quito foreign 10 her interests.
Golad is captured by forty daring spirits from
the Colorado; and without an effort TO save ii or
them. four hundred men slaughtered. and that
ali.important post is presented to the Mexicens.
Was Texas bewdered, Of asleep?
Gen. Houston joned the army at Gonzales Just
in lime 10 hear of the fall of the Alamo. The
town was burnt by his orders, the cannon thrown
into the river, and, followed by the homeless
WIDOWS and orphans of the victims of San Anto-
,.;o the armv fed eastward to the Colorado. Here
the army was at least ] 300 slrong-enough, il
acting timely with the sacrificed garrlsons Of Go.
lid and San Antonio, to have melted to Santa
An, The measure received by Cos. On The cast
| bal.k oil tue NOluTduo, pltHL( VI
IN the rear, lay the forces OF Gen. Houston. Sez-
ma. now IN advance OF Santa Ana, was encamped
,vo miles oil, on the other side o, tho river. Gen
Sherman-as true d SOLDIER as ever bucklcd on
ssbre-wished 10 attack Sienna while they held
The vantage: and hls request Was seconded by
MANY oil the Texan officers who tremb!ed to see
INC fire.beand of war Fastening toward their
ducliings. Urea, they urged. was so far to the
South, and Santa Aha to the est OF Sienna,
that th,ir divisions could readily be attacked and
defeated in detail whereas if The Texans retreat.
ed from the Colorado, the settlements along that
river would be broken up, ard all the soldiers
dawn from that region would be obliged to go
to the protection of their families; aud this would
seriously andireparabiy weaken the army Gen
Houston thought differently; aud the intelligence
or the destruction OF Fannn and his men was the
siynal of hasty retreat 10 the San Felipe on the
Brazos The Mexican Generals had now an
omen field. They could choose at their leisure
their line of march and plan of operations. The
Mexicans, who had suffered an adhlittedloss ofup-
ward of thousand men in taking the Alamo and
in capturing Fannin and Ward, broathcd fire and
sword against the Texans. Gen. Houston, with
a force diminishing as he retreated, retired into
the timber beyond the Brazos. The whole coun-
try was in CONSERVATION at being given up TO the
enemy. and all the inhabitants thus left in the
rear of the army took to flight. Husbands, bro
theirs and sons quit the army to attend the steps
of their suffering, helpless kindred. OF the gen.
Grafton now living between the Trinity and Colo
RADIO, few will ever forget the ruin and dismay of
the retreat Of SO AS part of his extraordinary
system of military tactics, Gen. Houston ordered
the town of San Felipe to be burned. AT this
point Santa Ana divcrged from his eastward
course, and turned down the Brazos toward the
coast. 1t was for ii time doubtful whether Gen.
Houston would continue his line OF retreat, give
battle. He had favorable position when near
the Bcazos, but, still hoping for reiniorccments he
did not think il best to risk an engagement His
army, who were Disconnected bciore-ior, to them
aud theirs, this retreat was destruction-now
loudly threatened to deposc him if he did not pre-
pare to give battle President Burnett IN Spar
tan letter. told him he must fight, and sent Gen.
Rusk then Secretary of War, TO enforce the CON-
,nand Let the responsibility rest with them
who urge me prematurely into battle" said Gen.
Houston, as nc turned toward Harrisburg He
was no longer the pursucd-he was almost the
pursucr. Santa Ana probably thought burning
towns q choice amusement, for, in imitation of
the rival General, he burned Harrisburg as he
passed through, and laid New-W ashngton, and
the valuable private residence of Col James Nor.
gan, in ashes. All this-thc conAagration OF
Gonzales, Beason's and San Felipe BY Houston,
aud that OF Harrisburg and New Washington by
Santa Ans-was needless destruction. 1t was q
way on women and children. In that new coun-
try, there refuge FOR the families thus rem.