Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-09-28

but in vain; all was sti / and quiet, though
the seniiHels were carefully observing us
This should be remarked as many call III,
battle surprise-nonc, however, but tht
paid servants Of Me leo. Meantime, a.
extensive island OF timber enabled Ioustor
to concentrate his forces, and to teplos
them thence in gallant style, agrceably I,
his design. Everything succeeded adm
rably, the troops showing an une pectec
regularity ami discipline. Every cyoln.
ton was performed With precision ant
alacrity, and then, d, tie word Of com
mand, advancing to meet the trained bands
of the hero Of so many Victories. The
whole hurried forward in regular lire
through an open prpirie in The face OF lie
enemy, unshcltered from their fire, trailing
their arms to within sixty or scvcrsy \: rds.
The musicians meantime rla, ed : wclctm,
To Santa Anna
win yen come 10 the bower have shaded for
YOUR
The artillery meanwli lie e Hoped fsrward.
and took station within Two hundred yard,
OF the enemy's brc, stwork. ard poured on
them q .olley Of grape and canister. which
caused great confusion, tie Mexicans
never once venturing from behind tin ir
breas. work. Colonel Sherman, with his
division, was the first to cng.ge, commen-
cling the action on the l,f wing, the whole
body advancing in double quick time, shout
ing, Remember the Alamo, Goliad, and
Tamlico.' The enemy in tie interval
had given us vollcy after volley; we, how
ever, coming willin point blank shot be-
fore we raised gun. Then each mar
took cool and steady aim, and seven hun
dred rifles and muskets rent the welkin
Il was our first and last volley; charging
without halt, we were in another moment
in possession Of the woodland and the en-.
emy's hreastwork, the remaining veteran,
Of Santa Anna, mostly in dis rider, endeav.
oring by flight to save their lives. The
RICH, wing Of Burleson had taken posses.
sion Of the breastwork, the artillery had
charged up within seventy yards Of tls
enemy's cannon, when it was taken pcs.
session Of BY Millard's company. The
whole contest lasted about fourteen min.
u.es, f.om the time Of entering into aciior
uat.l we were in complete possession .
the enemy's camp, taking one piece Of can
non loaded, al their colors, campo qnipacc
stores, baggage. Never was victor, NOR,
compl,te and decisive--more truly credit
able 10 the conquerors, and more over
whelming to the defeated. We (the cav
airy } had charged and routed that Of III,
enemy upon the right wing, and we nov
gave pursuit TO the fagitives, which chas,
did not cease until our arrivals at the bridc,
blfare mentioned, when the greater par
surrendered, and returned with us, SAINT
Anna, however, escaping for TIE time, il
what u ner will he seen below.
'sThc struggle on tie breastwork hal
lasted but few minutes, our deadly fir
having paralysed the Mexicans. Many
however engaged hand 70 hand, and we
having no bayonets, used the but-enis {
our mnskets and rifles, like the war-club
Of The Indians, many pa, ing for il ~ hav
ilfg their shooting-irons break of at tlr
breech. The rout commenced at half pas
four O'Clock, and the pursuit continued I'm
ill dark
Santa Anna, in disguise Of peasant
wandered about the country until the mex
day: Ne was brought into tie Texan camp
which is described as fellows:
General Samuel Houston, whose con
duct and courage in the field were abov,
praise, had been severely wounded in Ill,
ankle, and was slumbering on blanket a
the foot Of a spreading oak eff the mornin,
in question. l, Lam. r, and Carncs stoot
near in conversation, VIXEN man, neanl,
dressed, and despatched with mud, wa,
ushered bcloreus. Guessing the rank an,
character Of Houston, he approached him
squeezed his hand, at which IIoustol
awoke, and general Santa Anna then an
nounced himself, in state Of great ncrv,
GUS agitation~ Tlf ei 4.
~Sir, said the Texan Commander, point
ing to medicine-chest close to his head
s'bc seated. Such accommodation as w
have is At your service
ssSanta Anna did as he was requested
ard then demanded some opium, which
having been furnished him, he appeared
somewhat more composed, and said e
Huston, You were born to no ordinary
sestiny-you have conquered the Napoleo,
OF the West.'
~We could not farhcar smiling, though
regarding the vaunter with such vast hatred;
for though ready to ssmptlize with any
brave but vang,lished warrior. the massa-
ores of the Alamo, Gs.liad, and I'ampicc
had filled our, bosoms with sentiments SC
bitter towardk this man, i!.st Iity lad nc
abiding place. Houston tnrncd tie con.
vcrsation to these srs,;ec when SAINT,
Anna defended thea, on I e ground OF ex.
pc liency and hay ing received strict order.
iron his Government! THIS was quite 4,
al suro as If Caesar, or Cromwell, or Naeo.
le had spoken OF orders; every enc ~ w
ing that he was, and still is, military dcs
Dot, and dictator in Mexico, ruling pecrl,
and parliament ty the sword. Houston
then resigned his tent 70 hii.,, placrg
guard Of officers around 10 rec,sai Tic zen
geance Of The soldiers, VINO furious ii III,
cold-bIooded slaughter OF their companions
cried aloud fr him 10 he put 70 DEATH =
While all felt he deserved amy fate whicl
might belall him, vet all We're well awsr
that, as prisoner Of war, lie was cu,i-le
70 cur protection, and u a. his ha,ing VIC
lated every divine ana human maxim woul
be- no excuse Tor our doing the same.
/ .Ncxt day convention VS. signed be