The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-01-08
VOL. TX.

forward, seemingly impatient. and as if they
were waiting for or expected something
There was deep silence throughout thu
whole bivouac some were sleeping, anC
those who watched were in no humor for j.
die chat.
"Who goes therel" suddenly shouted one
of the sentries. The answer we did not hear
butt was apparently satisfactory for Their
was no further challenge, and in a few sec
onds afterward an orderly came up anC
whispered something in the ear of the Alcade
The latter hurried away and presently re-
turned, spoke few words TO the general anC
then to Us officers. In an instant we were
upon our feet. In less than tel minutes
the bivouac was broken up, and our little ar
my on their march, All our people were
well mounted, and armed with bowie knives.
We had six field pieces, but we took only
four, harnessed with twice the usual number
of horses. We marched at rapid trot the
whole night, led by tall gaunt figure of a
man who actedas our guide and kept some
distance in front. | more than once asked
the Aleade who this was. You will know
byand-by, was his answer.
Before day break we had ridden ive-and-
twenty miles, had been compelled to aban-
don two more of our guns. As yet. no one
knew the object OF this forced march. The
general commanded a halt and ordered the
men TO refresh and strengthen themselves
by food and drink. While they were doing
this, he assembled the officers around him
and the meaning ofour night march was ex-
palmetto us. The camp in which the,,Niex-
lean president and general-n-chief had in
trenched himself was within a mile of US;
General Parze, with two thousand men, was
twenty miles further to the rear, Gener-
al Filasoia, with one thousand, eighteen
miles lower down on the Brazos; Viesca,
with fifteen hundred, twenty miles higher
up. One bold aud decided blow, and Tex
as might yet be free. There was not mo-
III emf to loose nor was one lost. The, general
addressed the men,
'sFriends Brothers Citizens Gen.
Santa Anna is within one mile of US with fif-
teen hundred men. The hour that is to de-
eide Texan liberty is now arrived. What say
you'll Do We attack"
I'VE 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 reveil!e ofthe sleeping Next
cans was the discharge of our two field pieces
loaded with canister. Rushing TO within
twenty-five PAGES OF the inlrenchment. VIC
gave them deadly voiley from our rifles,
then throwing away the latter. bounded up
f the breastworks, 4 pistol in each hand.
The Mexicans, scared and Supplied by this
| sudden attack, were running about in the Wild
est confusion, seeking their arms, and not
knowing which way to turn. After firing
our pistols, we threw them away as we had
cur:rihes, and drawing our bowie, knives, fell,
with a shoutupon the masses ofthe terrified
5 foe. 1t was more like the boarding of a ship
than any land fight had ever seen or i'm
agined.
, Ny staten was on the right OF the line,
where the breastwork, ending in redoubt
, was steep and high. made two attempts TO
, climb up, but both times slipped back. On
r the third trial, nearly gained the summit
: seized me ny the collar and pulled me
t up the bank. In the darkness and con-
, fusion, l was not able TO di>ting uish
r the face of the man who rendered me
this assistance. only saw the glitter of a
bavouet which Mexican thrust into hisshoul-
der at the very moment he was helping me
r mp. He neither 1inched nor let 60 his hold
, of me till was fairly on my feet then,
. turning slowly round, he levelIed a pistol, at
! the soldier who at that very moment was
| struck down by the Acade.
mo thanks to We, squire " exclaimed the
man ina voice which made me start even
at that moment of excitement and hustle.
, looked at the speaker, but could not only
see his back. for he had already plunged into
the thickest of the fight and was engaged
] with party of Mexicans who defended
themselves desperately. He fought like a
. man more anxious TO be killed than 10 KILL
4 striking furiousy right and left, but never
guarding blow, though the Alcade, who was
r by his side, warded off several which were
aimed at him.
By this time my men had scrambled up
; up after me. | looked round 70 see " here
: our help was most wanted, and was about
, to lead hem forward, whenI heard the voice
of the Alcade.
care 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 insensible. The Al
cade was supporting 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 the
hottest.
About fiTe hundred men, the pick of the
, Mexican army, had collected round a knot
of staff officers, and were making most gal
; liant defence. General Houston had attack
ed them with three hundred of our people,
but had not been able to break their ranks.
His charge, however, had shaken them lit
tie, and before they had time to recover from
it, came up. Giving wild hurrah my
men fred their pistols, hurled them at their
enemies, heads, and then springing over the
carcasses of the fallen, dashed like thun
derbolt into the broken ranks of the Mex
leans
A frightful butchery ensued. Our men.
rho were for the most and at most times,
peaceab!c and humane in disposition, SEEM
, ed converted into perfect fends. Whole ranks
of the enemy fell under their knives. Some
idea may be formed of the horrible slaughter,
from the fact that the fight, from beginning
to end, did not last above ten minutes, and in
that time nearly eight hundred Mexicans
were shot or cut down. mo quarter I" was
the cry Of the mfurated assailants; 'sRemem-
Der Alamo Remember Goliadl Think of
Tanning Wardi'' The Mexicans threw
| IN their Epaas