The Arkansas banner., 1845-01-29
From Blaetloood'S Magasane. ADVENTURES IN TEXAS-BATTLE OF
 SAN IAC1NT0

The Mexicans advanced so rapidly that they were upon us before we were aware of 1t, and we were compelled to retreat, leav- ing the garrison of the two forts to their fate, and right melancholy one 1t proved to be.
 One morning news was brought to Golad that number of country people, principally woman and children were on their way to the fort closely pursued by Mexicans. Fan ming, losing sight of prudence in his com passion for these poor people, immediately orded battalion of five hundred men, un- der the command of Major Ward, to go and meet the fugitives and escort them ing The major and several of the officers of the gar- rison doubted as 10 the propriety of this measure; but Tanning, full of sympathy for his unprotected country women, insisted, and the battalion moved out. They soon came in sight of the fugitives, as they thought, but on drawing nearer, the latter turned out to be Mexican dragoons, who sprang upon their horses, which were concealed in neighbor- ing island of trees, and desperate fight be- gan. The MeXicans far superior ill numbers, received every moment accessions to their strength. The Louis Potos and Santa Fe cavalry, fellows who seem born on horse back, were there. Our unfortunate country men were hemmed in on all sides. The fight lasted two days. and only two men out of five hundred escaped with their lives.
 Before the news of this misfortune reach ed us, orders had been sent to Tanning to evacuate the fort and join us with six pieces of artillery. He received the order, and pro- ceeded to execute 1t. But what might have been practicable for eight hundred and sixty men, was impossible for three hundred and sixty. Nevertheless, Tanning began his march through the prairie. His little band was almost immediately surrounded by the enemy. After a gallant defence, which last ed twelve hours, they succeeded in reaching the island, but scarcely had they established there, when they found their ammunition was expended There was nothing left for them but to accept the terms offered by the Mexicans, who pledge themselves, that if they laid down their arms, they shouldbe per mitted to return to their homes. But the ri- fles were no sooner piled, than the Texans found themselves charged by their treacher- ous foe who butchered them without mercy. Only an advanced post of threemen succeed ed in escaping.
 The five hundred men whom he had left in San Antonio de Bexar, iared no better Not being sufficiently numerous to hold out the town was well as Alamo, they retreated into the latter. The Mexican artillery soon laid part of the fort in ruins Still it's de- lenders held out. After eight days fighting during which the loss of the besiegers was tremendously severe, the Alamo was taken, and not single Texan left alive.
 We thus, by these two cruel blows, lost two-thirds of our army, and little more than seven hundred men remained to resist the numerous legions of our victorious foe. The prospect before us, was one well calculated to daunt the stoutest heart,
 The Mexican general, Santa Anna, moved his army forward in two divisions, one stretched along the coast towards Velasco, the other advancing towards San Felipe de Austin. lie himself, with small force, marched in the centre. At Fort Bend, twen- ty miles below San Felipe, he crossed the Brazos, and shortly afterwards established himself with about fifteen hundred men i'll an intrenched camp. Our army under com mand of Gen. Houston, had retreated to Harrisburg, to which place the Congress had retreated.
 It was on the night of the twentieth of April, and our whole disposable force, some seven hundred men, bivouacking in and about and island of sycamores. It was cloudy, stormy evening; high wind was blowing, and the branches of the trees groaned and creaked above our heads. The weather har- monized well enough with our feelings, which were sad and Responding when we thought of the desperate state of our cause. We (the oflicers) were setting in a circle around the general and Alcade, both of whom appeared uneasy and anxious. More than once they got up and walked backwards and forwards, seemingly impatient, and as if they were waiting for or expected somethlng.- There was deep silence throughout the whole bivouac; some were sleeping, and those who watched .were in no humor for idle chat.
 ssWho goes therein suddenly shouted one of the sentries. The answer we did not hear, it was apparently satisfactory, fos there was no further challenge, and few seconds after ward and orderly came up, and wlspered something in the ear of the Alcade. The lat ter hurried away, and presently returned, spoke few words to the general and then to us officers. In an instant we were upon our feet In less than ten minutes, the bivou- ac was broken up, and our little army on the march.
 All our people were well mounted, and armed with rifles and bowie-knives. We had six field pieces, but we took only four harnessed with twice the usual number of horses. We marched at a rapid trot the whole night, led by tall gaunt figure of a man who acted as our guide, and kept some distant in front more than once asked the Alcade who he was. ~ ou will know by and by was his answer.
 Before day-break We had ridden five and twenty miles, but had been compelled to ahaulon two more guns. As vel no one knew the object of this forced march. The general commanded halt. and ordered the men to refresh and strengthen themselves with food and drink While they were doing this he assembled the officers around him and ,l. strf of .t,r rtfhf march Vvau axntatn-