Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-04-14

l.
Houston, iahke great as soldier, and o
statesman, had three months before, on the
plainssof San Jacinto, selected the altar on
which 10 consecFate the liberty Of Texas
Contrary to the expectations and wishes oi
iiEeaarmy, he commenced his retreat, laying
waste the country over which he passed,
and masking his mo. ements with such
skill as to completely bewilder the enemy
His troops uttered loud murnurs ngainst
his policy, and in. tones of efthreatentag niu!
tiny, demandedthatia stand should be made
atsthe Colorado, declaring that they would
disband, unless the foe were given battle.
Houston sought to impress III on his troops,
the fact that battle upon the Colorado, was
defeat to. Texas-ehe said TO them, q. sour
causs9ass just; at must and shall triumph !;
let those return to their homes, acho artr
not prepared to make svsry sacrifice for
the good Of Texas '''faso4iS - % u no
The next mornings dawn, found less
than eight hundred men. by the Texan
standard. The retreat was RECOMMENDED;
the scouts Of Houston, watched the move
ments ofSanta Annals troops with eagle
vigilance-they began to weary, and their
line of march, commenced 10 be marked
with deserted arms, and deacceu.erments-
their supplies grew short, and the Texans
swept before them the wild cattle of the
prairie, rs they pursued their march Of re-
treat. Houston was now within striking
distance of Santa Anna, and Cos was
within one day'ssmarch of joining the lat.
ter. Houston still declined battle, but qui.
city took position upon the fold ofaSan
Jaclnto; the exact sspot he had selected
three months before. for his battle field
One day more, and the columns of Cos
and Sanlae Anna, united within a short
distance Of Houston's. camp. without being,
aware of its proximity s His stratagySwns
perfect, and its success complete. 1.-The
two armies now'lay facing each other, onaa
rolling prairie, surrounded by forests and
bnyous, the only means Of retreat, was on
a Irail bridge extending across a deep bay
ou..f he. hour had arrived when the des.
ainy of Texas, was to be deci1ed-the blow
about oibe struck ca that field wos to- de-
rornine whether 'rexas was to exist as the
conquered province of1a despot, or to, take
rs "a free and sovereign power.oifIt was
the 2lst of April, 1886, when Houston
mounted his wnr steed, formed his little ar
my ef700 men. in celumnaof 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 lin his owsa noble
soul. ii eitold Them, that by his order, The
!brfdge had been destroy ed that retreat
was inpossible-that the field of San Ja.
cinto must be The. grave or the birth spot
of Texas Independance-lhat the condilien
of his army, would not justify: his risking
Two bat,les, and hence he had waited until
the forces OF. Santa Anna and Cos were
combined enemy was before them; 10
,strikes was 10 conquer! And then rapid.
Iy arranging his order Of :altack, The little
army Of heroes, 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. WINS heard rising high and clear
above the buttle line, s.Noao chtrge n,y
ladst And remember The. Alanoy re-
,'ssmbsf Gokaat 70 'I'he very Heavens
seemed TO echo back, that fierce battle
shout--"REMEMBER THE ALAMu REMEM.
Ser GoLIAD!" and with lhe roar Of the tor
aadc, and the force Of the whirlwird, that
little band of heroes, with Houston at their
head. hurled themselves upon the foe.-
Short desperate and terrific, like the mad
crashing Of the elements, was that wild,
strange and glorious battle. Seventeen
minutes had, scarce elapsed, before 900
Mexicans were lying dead and dying on
that proud field, and Santa A Anna, the boast
ed Napoleon of the South, was seeking
safety in disgracelal fight. And from a.
mid the smoke and fame, and the mad car
mage Of buttle, was seen to rise fron, that
bloody plain, the star Of liberty! the lone
star of Texas! TT. iy'@-'. - = - ?"
Although his leg was badly shattered BY
10 four, ounce copper, ball. Houston still
kept his horse, galloping hither and lhither
over the field, issuing orders for the care
Of the wounded, and the protection and
safe keeping of the prisoners, and the pur-
suit Of the fly ing foe. 80 s'.s. 20. ,.',', e. r.
/. On the 23d Of April, the second day af.
Ter the battle, nearly 800 Mexicans, 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 revolving plans for the
future government Of Texas. Suddenly q
shout burst forth from among the Mexican
prisoners, Of .syiva,yiva Santa Anna, live,
live Santa Anna. ] and under The escort Of
two Texan soldiers. the fallen Emperor in
person approached, disguised 10 the garb
Of common soldier. =. - -. 80,
Santa Anna was, Immediately taken 10
Houston's tent, who treated him with dis.
ttinguished kindness and courtesy, assuring
himlhat aheamagnanimilysof the Texans,
would prevent aay ratalistionI on a pri son,
| or, FOR the breach of faith, and butehery al
Goliad. 81 gaysa sxs.l Ia .fsosi ssasisgc
The Mezicans General expressed great
admiration fort prowess of the, It cyan
troops, but told Heussonlthat he.had siola,I