The Washingtonian., 1845-09-13
was broken up and our little army on the

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 march,
ed at rapid trot the whole night, led by tall,
giant figure of man who acted as our guide,
and kept some distance in front. more than
once asked the Alcade who this was.
"You will hear by and BY" was his only
answer.
Before day-break we had ridden five and
twenty miles, but had been compelled to aban-
don two more guns. AS yet no one knew the
object of this forced march. The General
commanded halt, and ordered the men to re-
fresh themselves by food and drink. While
they were doing this, he assembled the officers
around him and the meaning of our night march
was explained to us. The camp in which the
entrenched himself was within a mile Of us !;
General Parza, with two thousand men, was
twenty miles further to the rear Gen. Filasola,
with one thousand, eighteen miles lower down
on the Brazos Vel Ca, with fifteen hundred,
twenty miles higher up. One bold and decided
| blow and Texas might be free. There was
not a moment to lose, nor was one lost The
General addressed the men:
"Friends Brothers! Citizens! Santa Anna
is within a. mile of us with fifteen hundred
men. The hour to decide Texan Liberty is at
hand. What do you say? Do we attack z" I
1--WE do" exclaimed the men with one
voice, cheerfully and decidedly.
In the most perfect stiffness we arrived
within two hundred PAGES of the enemy's
camp. The reueille Of the sleeping Mexicans
was the discharge of our two field pieces load
ed with canister. Rushing to within twenty
! five PAGES of the entrenchment, we gave them
deadly voley with our rifles, and then throw
ing away the latter, bounded up the breast
works, pistol in each hand. The Mexicans
scared and stupifed by this sudden attack
were running about in the widest confusion
seeking their arms and not knowing which
way to turn. After firing our pistols we threw
them away as we had our rifles, and drawing
our bowie knives we fell in with shout upon
the masses of the terrified foe. 1t was more
like the boarding of ship than any land fight
had ever seen or imagined.
! My station was on the right of the line,
where the breast-work, ending in a redoubt,
was steep and high. | made two attempts to
climb up, and both times slipped back. On
the third time | nearly reached the summit,
but was again slipping down, when a hand
seized me by the collar and pulled me on the
bank In the darkness and confusion did
not distinguish the face of the man who rem
dered me this assistance. | only saw the gilt
ter Of bayonet which Mexican thrust into
his shoulder at the very moment he was help.
ing me up. He neither fincbed nor lei 60 his
hold till was fairly on my feet; then turning
slowly round he levelled pistol at the soldier,
who at the very moment was struck down by
the Alcade.
"No thanks to you, squire y exclaimed the
man, in a voice which made me start, even at
ed at the speaker but could only see his back,
for he had already plunged into the fight, and
was engaged with party of Mexicans, who
defended themselves desperately. He fought
like man more anxious to be killed than kill,
striking furiously right and left, but never
guarding a blow, though the Alcade, who was
by his side, warded off several which we're
aimed at him.
By this time my men had scrambled up after
me. looked round to see where my help was
most wanted, and was about to lead them for
ward, when heard the voice of the Alcade.
"Are you badly hurt, Bob :" said he in an
anxious tone.
glanced at the spot whence the voice came.
There lay Bob Rock, covered with blood and
apparently nsensible. The Alcade was sup
porting his head on his arm. Before ! had time
to give second look, | was hurried forward
with the rest, toward the centre of the camp,
where the fight was hottest.
About FIVE hundred men, the pick of the
| Mexican army, had collected round knot Of
staff officers, and were making most gallant
defence. General Houston had attacked them
with three hundred Of our people, but had not
been able to break their ranks. His charge,
however, had shaken them little, and before
they had time to recover from it, came up.