Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-03-26
NUMBER 81.

came up, and whispered something IN the OF
the Alcalde The latter hurried away and presently
returning, spoke few words in low tone to the
general and then to our officers. In an instant we
were all upon our feet In less than ten minutes.
the bivouac was broken up, and our little army on
the march.
All our people we're well mounted and armed
with rifles, pistols, and bowie knives. We had six
ield-pieces, but only took four, harnessed with
twice the usual number Of horses. We marched at
rapid trot the whole night, led by tall, eaunt
figure Of a man acting our guide, and kept some
distance in front. | more than once asked the AL
cade who this was You will know by and by.'
was his answer.
Before daybreak we had ridden FIVE and twenty
miles, but had been compelled TO abandon two
more guns As YET no one knew the object Of this
forced march. The general COMMANDED halt,
and ordered the men to refresh and strengthen
themselves by food aud drink. While they were
doing this, he assembled the officers around him,
and the meaning of our night march was explain
ed TO The camp in which the Mexican presi-
dent and general-in-chef had entrenched himself
was within n mile Of US; General Para, with two
thousand men, was twenty miles furthes4o the rear;
General Fasols, with one thousand, eighteen miles
lower down the Brazos: Viesca, with fifteen hum
dred, twenty-five miles higher up One bold and
decided blow, and Texas might yet be free
There not a moment to lose, nor one lost.
The general addressed the men.
Friends Brothers Citizens General San
IA Anna is within mile Of US with fifteen hundred
men The hour that is to decide the question of
Texian liberty is now arrived. What say youl Do
we atiackr
we dor exclaimed the men with one voice,
cheerfully and decidedly.
In the most perfect stiffness, arrived within
two hundred PAGES OF the enemy's camp The
reveiee Of the sleeping Mexicans the discharge
of our two ieid-peces loaded with canister Rush
ing on TO within twenty five PAGES of the entrench-
ment, we gave them deadly yolley from our rifles,
and then, throwing the latter away, bounded up
the breastworks. pistol in each hand. The Mex
leans, scared and supplied by this sudden attack,
were running about in the widest confusion, seek
ing their arms, and not knowing which way to turn.
After firing our pistols, threw them away as we
had done rifles, and, drawing our bowie-knives
FELL with shout, upon the masses OF the terrified
foe. II was more like the boarding OF ship than
any land fight had ever seen or imagined
My station was on the right Of the line where
the breasiwork, ending in redohbt. steep and
! high | made two attempts 20 climb up, but both
times slipped back On the third trial nearly
gained the summit; but was again slipping down,
when hand seized me by the collar, ana pulled
me up on the bank. In the darkness and confu-
sion did not distinguish the face OF the man who
/ rendered me this assistance / only saw the glitter
Of a bayonet which a Mexican thrust into his Shout
| der, at the very moment he was helping me up
NelneT nor lel go MS uOl0 OF me TIL
| was fairly on my feet; them turning slowly round
he leveled pistol the soldier who, at that very
moment, struck down by the Alcalde.
NO thanks 10 ye squirrel exclaimed the man, in
a voice which made me start, even at that moment
of excitement and hustle. looked at the speaker,
but could only see his back. for he had already
plunged into the thick of the fight, and was engag-
ed with party Of Mexicans, who defended them
selves desperately He fought like man more
anxious to be killed than 10 kill, striking urousy
right and left but never guarding blow, though
the Alcalde who was by his side, warded off several
which were aimed at him.
By this time my men had scrambled up after me-
looked round to see where our help was most
wanted, and was about 10 lead them forward when
l heard The voice ofthe Alcalde.
| Are you badly hurt Bobl' said he in an anxious
tone.
glanced at the spot whence the voice came
There lay Bob Rock, covered with blood. and ap-
parently insensibe. The Alcalde was supporting
his head on his arm. Before had time to give
second look was hurried forward with the rest
towards the centre of the camp, where the fight was
the hottest.
About five hundred men, the pick of the Mexi-
can army, had collected round a knot OF stafT-of-
hcers, and we're making most gallant defence
General Houston had attacked them with three
hundred of our people, but had not been able to
break their ranks. His charge, however had shaken
them little, and, before they had time to recover
from it, up. Giving a wild hunah my
men fred their pistols, hurled them at their enc.
mics heads, and then springing the carcasses
of the fallen, dashed like a. thundeFboli into the
broken ranks of the Mexicans
frghtful butchery ensued Our men, who
were for the most part and at most times, peacea-
bic and humane in disposition, seemed converted
into perfect hends. 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 shot or cut down. NO quarterl
was The cry Of the niurated assailants. 'Remem.
Der Alamol Remember Goad! Think Of Fannng,
and Ward' The Mexicans threw themselves on their
knees, imporng mercy. .HiserieOrdiGt Quartet,
pOr Ell amor de Diosl' shriekcd they in heart-ren-
ding tones; but their supplications not listen
ed TO, and every ofthem would inevitably have
been butchered, had not General Houston and the
officers dashed in between the victors and the van
pushed, and with the greatest difficulty, and by
threats of cutting down our men il they did not
deslsi put an end to this scene Of bloodshed, and
saved the Texian character from the stain OF un-
manly cruelty.
, When all was over, hurried back to the place
where had lefl the Alcalde with Bob; the latter
lay, bleeding from six wounds only few PAGES
I from the spot where he had helped me up the
breastwork The bodies Of two dead MexicanI
] served him for pillow. The Acalde was kneel-
d ing by his side, gazing sadly and earnestly into
the face ofthe dying man.
d For Bob was dying; but il was no longer ths
: death Of the despairing murderer. The expression
6 OF his features were calm and composed and hi
% IN tuith Ioox 81 kos.