The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-04-24

ElHCC iOi tliC SOOo vi SAdS'
The next mornings dawn found less
than eight hundred men at the Texian
standard. The retreat was recommended;
the scouts of Houston watched the move
ments of Santa Annals troops with eagle
vigiance-they began to weary, and their
line of march, commenced to be marked
with deserted arms and accoutremenis-
their supplies grew short, and the Texans
swept before them the wild cattle of the
prairie, as they pursued their march of re-
treat.-Houston was within striking dis
tance of Santa Anna, and Cos was within
one days march of joining the latter.
Houston still declined battle, but quietly
took position upon the field of San Jacin-
TO, the exact spot he had selected three
months before, for his battle field. One
day more, and the columns of Cos and
Santa Anna, united within short distance
of Houston's camp, without being aware
of It's proximity. His strategy was per-
feet, and It's success complete. The two
armies now lay facing each other on the
rolling prairie, surrounded by forests and
bay the only means of retreat, was on
a frail bridge extending across a deep
bayou. The hour had arrived whe n the
destiny of Texas was TO be decided the
blow about TO be struck on that field was
to determine whether Texas was 10 exist
as the conquered province of despot, or
TO take her place among the nations of
the earth as free and sovereign power.
1t was on the 2lst OF April, 1886, when
Houston, mounted on his war sized,
formed his little army of 700 men, in col
umn of attack, and approaching 10 their
very front, IN few deep toned, burning
words, he poured into their hearts the lava
fame which until then had been pent up
in his own noble soul. He told them that
by his order, the bridge had been Destroy
ed-that retreat was mpossible-ihat the
field OF San Jacinto must be the grave or
the birth spot of Texas Independence
that the condition of his army would not
justify his risking two battles, aud hence
he had waited until the forces of Santa
Anna and Cos were combined-the enc
my was before them; 10 strike was 10
conquer! And then rapidly arranging
his mode Of attack, the little army of he
roes moved forward, masked by the tall
prairie grass, until within rifle shot of the
foe, when rapidly deploying into line of
battle, the electrical voice of Houston was
heard rising high and clear above the bat
lie line. A0U charge, any lads! .4nd
remember the .7tantO! remember G0tiad!
The very heavens seemed TO echo that
fierce battle shOut-''REMEMBER THE
ALAMO! REMEMBER GoLIADl'' and with
the roar of the tornado, and the force of
the whirlwInd, that little band of heroes,
with Houston at their head, hurled them
selves upon the foe. Short, desperate
and terrific, like the mad crashing of the
elements, was that wild, strange and glo-
rous battle. Seventeen minutes had
scarce elapsed, before eight hundred Mex
leans were lying dead and dying on that
proud field, and Santa Anna, the boasted
Napoleon of the South, was seeking safety
in flight. And from amid the smoke. and
mad carnage OF battle, was seen to rise
from that bloody plain. the star of Liber-
ty! the lone star of TexasI
Although his leg was badly shattered
by four ounce copper ball, Houston still
kept his horse, gallopping hither and
thlther over the field, issuing orders for
the care OF the wounded, the protection
and safe keeping of the prisoners, and the
pursuit of the fly ing foe.
On the 23d of April, the second day
after the battle, nearly eight hundred Mex
leans were prisoners in the Texan camp;
quiet and calm had succeeded the turmoil
of battle, and the hero OF San Jacinto was
reclining in his tent, with his shattered
leg supported on rough hewn stool, while
his mind was busily employed IN revol-
virg plans for the future civil government
of Texas. Suddenly shout burst from
the Mexican prisoners, of "viva, viva,
Santa Anna" Give, live, Santa Anna.) and
under an escort of two Texan soldiers,
the fallen Emperor in person approached
disguised in the garb of common soldier
Santa Anna was Immediately taken TO
Houston's tent, who treated him with dis
tinguished kindness and courtesy, assuring
him that the magnanimity of the Texans
would prevent any retaliation on prison
er, for the breach of faith and butchery at
Goliad.
The Mexican General expressed great
admiration for the prowess of the Texan
troops, but told Houston that he had vio-
lated one Of the plainest rules of warfare,
in not attacking Cos and himself in detail,
instead OF awaiting their combination.
/ Houston smiled, but made no reply, until
Santa Anna again pressed the remark,
when Houston quietly told him that it
was his habit not to take two bites at one
cherry.