True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-05-06
GALLANT EXPLOIT OF GEN.
LAMAR.

Il is perhaps not generally known that
the celebrated Lamar owes much of his
success in the military and political world
to a single gallant exploit performed by
him at the battle of San JacintO. Almost
all great men have been indebted to some
casual circumstance TO suggest and guide
the course of after life; and so too has il
been with Lamar.
The fortunate and glorious chance which
led to Lamar's attainment of the highest
military rank his country could bestow
upon him, and afterwards to the highest
CIVIC honors, was as follows:
Mirabeau B. Lamar, native Of the State
ofGeorga and an adopted citizen OF Texas,
entered the battle ofSan Jacinto as private
dragoon. During the skirmiSh with the
enemy'S cavalry on the day preceding
the battle, the horse Of Lamar, a wild and
impetuouS animal, carried his equally inn
petuous rider at full galIop away from his
own companions INTO the very centre Of a
body of Mexican horse. TheVoung dragoon
was Immediately surrounded, and though
fighting desperately, was made prisoner
and placed in custody of two Mexicans,
also Dragons. In this position Lamar
remained for some Tina an unwilling
spectator OF the fight which was now be-
coming general.
II was an irkSome position TO one possess
ing the feelings of the young Georgian,
aud he resolved TO free himself from his
guard, or perish in the attempt. He was
still upon horseback "a huge, dark look
ing Mexican on each side of him-but he
had been deprived of hIs sword when cap
tured, aud was altogether unarmed. Each
ofthe Dragons wore long sabre at his
belt and on one ofthese the eyes of Lamar
became fixed. Grasping The belt with a
fierce eagerneSs the young Texan succeed
ed i'm securing both sword and scabbard
aud then drawing the former he pnt spurs
to his horse and galoped off towards his
comrades, who were, from their position,
witnesses of the feat But Lamar was not
destined to reach the Texan lines without
fighting for It. As soon as the troops on
the ground perceived that he had escaped
from his guard, general rush was made
TO intercept him, aud several horsemen
galloped between him aud the approach 10
the Texan lines.
Lamar, brave as n lion, was soon engaged
with several MexlcanS at once; but having
resolved to die rather than be taken a Sec
ond lime, he soon cut hlS way through The
enemy's lines, aud amidst the whistIing
bullets aud the huzzaS of his comrades,
many of whom had been Witnesses Of his
exploit, he was carried back TO his friends.
This gallant action was performed on
the day preceding that of the battle of San
Jacinlo. Lamar was then as we have be-
fore mentioned, only private dragoon. On
the day of the battle however, Captain |
.amar, by the order aud appointment Of /
Gen Houston, commander in chief, led the |
Texan cavalry, company Of about thirty |
mounted men, into the fight Lamar soon /
rose tn the estimation ofhiS adopted fellow I
and afterwards, as is well known, |
became President Of the Lone Star" Re /
public.
Lamar did not make a bad use Of the /
sword which he had wrcstcd from the /
Mexican dragoon; for having returned on n |
visit 10 hls native country, he presented 70 /
10 Mr.. Peae, who deposited il IN the Phil |
ldelphla Museum, where u is still 10 be |
seen among the thousand aud one curiosi-
lies Of the place.-Sat CoiT.