The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-02-13
BATTLE OF SAN JACINTo.

- 49, - L.
the garrison of the two forts to their fate,
and a right melancholy one is proved TO
be. .e
One morning new was brought TO Goliad
that a number of country people, principal
ly women and children, were on their way
to the fort, closely prsued by the Mexicans,
flaming, losing sight OF prudence in his
compassion for these poor people, immediate
ly. ordered a battilion of five hundred men,
under the command of MAJOR Ward, to go
and meet the fngitives and escort them
in. The Major and several of the
officers of the garrison doubted as TO the
propriety of this measure but Tanning, full
of sympathy for his unprotected countrywo-
men, insisted, and tie battilion moved out.
They soon came in sight of the fugitives, as
they thought, but on drawing nearer, the lat
ter turned out to be Mexican dragons, who
sprang upon their horses, which were conceal
ed in a neighboring island OF trees, and a
desperate fight ensued. The Mexicans, far
superior in numbers, received every moment
accessions to their strength.
The Louis Potosi and Santa Fe, cavalry,
fellows who seen, born on horseback, were
there. Our unfortunate countrymen were
hemmed in on all sides. The fight lasted
two days, and only two men out OF 800 es-
capped 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
proceeded to execute it. But what might
of been practicable for eight Murdered 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
Ilastedtwelye hours, they sncceededin reach
ing the island, but scarcely had they estab-
lished themselves there when they found
their ammunition was expended. There
was nothing left for them but 10 accept the
terms offered by the Mexicans, who pledged
themselves, that if they laid down their arms
they should be permitted to return 10 Their
homes.
Bat the rifles were no sooner piled than
the Texans found themselves charged by
their treacherous foes, who bufchered them
without mercy, Only an advanced post Of
three men succeeded in e~ffecting their es
cape.
The five hundred men whom he had ief
lin San Antonio de Bexas Jared no better
Not being sufficiently numer ous 10 hold Out
the town as well as Alamo. they retreated
into the latter. The Mexican artillery soon
laid a part of the Fort in ruins. Still lis de-
J tenders held out. After eightdays fighting
during which the loss of the besiegers was
tremendously severe, the Alamo was taken
and not a single Texan left alive.
We thus by these two cruel blows, lost
two thirds Of our army, and little more than
E%seven bundled men remained to resist the
numerous legions of our victorious foe. The
prospect before US, was one we'll calculated
to daunt the stoutest heart.
The Mexican General, Santa Anna, NOV
ed his army forward in two divisions, one
stretched along the coast towards Va4esco.
the other advancing towards San Felipe de
e Austin. He himself with a small force
marched to the centre. At Fort Bend, 20
miles below San Felipe, he crossedth the Bra
zos, and shortly afterwards established him
self, with about fifteen hundred men, in al
entrenced camp. Our army under the
Ecommand Of Gen. Houston, had retreated tt
Harrisburgh, TO which place the Congress
had treated.
1t was on the night of the 29th, Of April
and our whole disposable force, some sever
hundred men bivaucking in and about th'
island of sycamores. 1t was a cloudy storm,
evening, a high wind was blowing and til
branches of the trees groaued and creake
about our heads. The weather harmonize,
well enough with our feelings, which wer,
sad and Responding when we tIiought Of th
desperate state of our cause. We (the off
tcers) were. sitting in a circle around tn
General and Atcade, both of whom appear
+, ed very uneasy aud anxious. More tina
once they got up and walked, forward ant
back, seemingly impatient, as if they wer
waiting for, or expected something Ther
: was a deep silence throughout the Who'll
b~ivouac; some were sleeping, and those VIII
watched were in humor for idle chat.
"Nho goes there?' suddenly shouted on
&c of the Sc ntries. The answer we did n
hear, but it was apparently satisfactory, f
there was no further challenging, and fe
nd seconds afterwards an orderly up an
Nv whispered something in the ear of the A
cade. The latter hurried away, and pr
senily returned, spoke a few words to til
General, and then to US officers. In an i
slant we were upon our feet. In less tina
ten minutes, the biyouac was broken up an
our litlle army on the march.
all All our people were well mounted, al
'R, armed with rifles and bowie knives. Web;
de six field pieces, but we took only four, ha
DC messed with twice the usual number of hoi
es. We marched at a rapid trot the who
night, led by tall gaunt figure of a ma
who acted as our guide, and kept some d