The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-05-23
GALLANT EXPLOIT OF GEN. LAMAR


IL is perhaps not generally known that the cele-
brated Lamar owes much Of his success in the
military and political world to 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 their after life and 80 too has il
been with Lamar
The unfortunate and glorious chance which
led to Lapar's attainment of the highest military
rank his countrymen could besow upon him, and
afterwards to the highest civic honors, was as
follows:
Mlrabeau b. Lamar, native of the State of
Georgia. and an adopted citizen ofTexas, entered
the battle of San Jacinto as private dragoon.
During the skirmish with the enemys cavalry.
on the day preceding The battle, the horse of
Lamar, wild and impetuous animal. carried his
equally impeiuons rider at full gallop away from
his own companions into the very centre of
body Of Mexican horse. The young dragoon was
Immediately surrounded, and though fighting des-
Peraiely, was made prisoner and placed in the
custody OF two Mexicans, alse drag0ons In this
position, Lamar remained fur some time an anvil
Hog spectator the fight which was now becoming
general.
II was an Irksome position to one possessing
the feeling of the young Georgian, and no resoly1
ed to free himself from his guard, perish in the
attempt. He was still upon horseback-a huge,
dark looking Mexican on each side of him-but
he had been deprived Of his sword when captured
and was altogether unarmed. Each of the dra.
goons wore large sabre at his belt, and on one of
these The eyes Of Lamar became fixed Grasping
she belt with feTce eagerness, the young 'fexan
succeeded IN securing both sword and scabbard
and then drawing the former, he puts spurs TO his
horse and galloped off towards his comrades. who
were, from their position. witnesses of the feat
Bnt Lamar was not destined to reach the Texan
lines without fighting foril As som as the troops
on the groond perceived that no had escaped from
his guard general rush was made to intercept
him, and several horsemen galloped between him
and the approach to the Texan lines.
Lamar. brave as a liUn, was soon engaged will,
several Mexcans at once but having resolved to
die rather than be taken a second time, he soon
cut his way through the enemy 3 lines, and amidst
the whIsting bullets and the huzzars of his COIN.
Tades, many Of whom bad 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 Jscinto.-
Lamar was then, as we have before mentioned
only private dragon. On the day Of the battle
however, Capsin Lamar, by the order appoint.
mPni OF Gen. Houston, commander. in chief led
the Texan cavalry, a company of about thirty
mounted men, into The fight. Lamar soon rose
IN the estimation Of his adopted fellow citizens
and Afterwards, as is well known, became Presi.
dent Of the " Lone Starr Republic.
Lamar did not make bad use of the sword
which he wrested from the Mexican dyaooop n,
having returned on a visit TO his native countrv
he presented it to Mr.. Peale, who depositsd !, -
Philadelphia Museum, where it is still to be seen
among the thousand and one csriosi,ies If ,6a
place Saturday Courier. ~