The Washingtonian., 1845-09-13
ADVENTURES IN TEXAS.
THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO.

THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTo.
The Mexicans advanced SO rapidly that they
were upon us, before we we're aware of it, and
we were compelled to retreo;;, leaving the gar
rison of the two forts to their fac and right
melancholy one it proved to be.
One morning, news was brought to Golad
that number of country people, principally
women and children, were on their way to the
fort, closely pursued by the Mexcans. Fan
ming, losing sight Of prudence in his compass
sion for these people, Immediately ordered five
hundred men under the command of Maj. Ward,
to 60 and meet the fugitves and escort themin.
The Major and several of the officers doubted
as to the proprety of the measure; but Fan
ming, full of sympathy for his unprotected coun-
trywomen, insisted, and the battalion moved
out. They soon came in sight of the fugtives,
as they thought, but on drawing nearer the
latter turned out to be Mexican dragons, who
sprang upon their horses which were concealed
in neighboring island of trees, and desperate
fight began. The Mexicans, far superior in
numbers, received every moment accessions
to their strength. The Louis Potos and Santa
Fe cavalry, fellows who seemed born on horse
back, was there. Our unfortunate countrymen
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 reached 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 il. But W 1t 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 en-
emy. After gallant defence, which LASTED
twelve hours, they succeeded in reaching the
island, but scarcely had they established there
when they found their ammunition was expend-
ed There was nothing left for them but to
accept the terms offered by the Mexicans, who
pledged themselves, that if they would lay
down their arms they should be permitted to
return to their homes. But the rifles were no
sooner piled, than the Texans found themselves
charged by their treacherous foes, who butcher
ed them without mercy. Only an advance post
CT three mon succeeded in escaping.
The five hundred men whom he had left in
San Antonio de Bexar, Jared no better. Not
being sufficiently numerous to hold out the
town as well as Alamo, they retreated into the
latter. The Mexican artillery soon laid a par
of the fort into ruins. Still its defenders held
out. After eight days fighting, during which
the loss of the besiegers was tremendously Sc
we're, 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
legion of our victorious foes The prospec,
before us was one calculated to daunt the
stoutest heart.
The Mexican General, Santa Anna. moved
his army forward in two directions, one stretch.
ed along the coast towards Veasco; the other
advanced towards San Felipe de Austin. lie
himself marched in the centre. At fort Ben,
twenty miles below San Felipe, he crossed the
Brazos, and shortly afterwards established
himself with about fifteen hundred men in an
entrenched camp. Our army, under the com.
mand of General Houston, had retreated tc
Harrisburg, to which place the Congress hae
retreated.
1t was on the night of the twentieth of April
| and our whole dsposabe force, some seventeen
hundred men, bivouacng in and about an island
of sycamores twas cloudy stormy evening
high wind was blowing, and the branches o.
the trees groaned and croaked above our heads
The weather harmonized well enough with oul
feelings, which were sad and desponding when
we thought of the desperate state OF our cause
We (the officers) were setting in circle around
the General and Alcade, both of whom appear
ed to be uneasy and anxious. More than once
they got up and walked backward and forward,
seemingly impatient, and as if they were wait
ing for or expecting something. There was
deep silence throughout the bivouac; some
were sleeping, and those who watched were in
no humor for idle chat.
"Who goes there!" suddenly shouted one
of the sentres. The answer we did not hear, but
it was apparently satisfactory, for there was no
further challenge, and a few seconds afterwards