The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-09-18

ard statesman, had three months before,
on the plains Of Jan Jacinto, selected the al
ter, on which TO consecrate the liberty OF
Texas Contrary 10 the expectations and wish
es Of the army, he commenced his retreat,
lying waste the country over which he pas
sed, and making his movements with such
skill as 10 completely bewilder the enemy
His troops uttered loud murmurs against his
policy, and in tones Of threatening muliny
demanded that stand should be made at
the Colorado, declaring that they would dis
band, unlets the foe were given battle. Hou-
sion sought TO impress upon his troops the
lact, that battle upon the Colorado was defeat
TO Texas-he said 10 them, "our cause is
just; it must and will triumph; let those re-
turn 10 their homes who are not prepared TO
nake every sacrifice for the good of Texas"
The next mornings dawn found less than
eight hundred men by the Texan standard
The retreat was commenced the scouts o!
Houston watched the movements of Santa
Annals troops with eagle vigilance-they be-
gan 10 weary, and their line march, COM
menced TO be marked with deserted arms
and accoutremens-thsr supplies grew
short, and the Texans swept before them the
wild cattle of the prairie, as they pursued
their march Of retreat. Houston was with
in striking distance of Santa Anna, and Cos
was within one days march of joining the
latter Houston still declined battle, but quiz
etly took position upon the field OF San ia
ciuto, the exact spot he had selected three
months before, tor his battlefield. One Gay
more, and the columns of Cos and Santa An
ma, united within short distance Of Hous-
toms camp without being aware of its prox
unity. His strategy was perfect, and Its sue
cess complete. The two armies now lay
facing each other on the rolling prairie sur
rounded by forests and bayous ; the only
means OF retreat was on frail bridge ex.
tended across deep bayou. The hour
had arrived when the destiny Of Texas was
10 be decided-the blow about TO be struck
on that field was 10 determine whether Tex
as was 10 exist as the conquered province of
despot or to take her place among the ma
ton Of The earth as free and sovereign
power. Ii WAS on the 2lSt of April, 1899,
when Houston mounted on his war steed,
forming his little army OF 700 men, in COL
umn of attack, and approaching to their ver-
front, in few deep toned burning words, he
poured into their hearts the lava flame
which until then had been pent up in his
own noble soul. He told them that by his
order the bridge had been destroyed-,hat
retreat was impossble-lhat the field of San
Jacinto must be the grave or the birth spot
of Texas dependence-that the condition
of his army would not justify his risking two
battles and hence he had waited until the
forces of Santa Anna and Cos were combn,
ed-lhe enemy before them ; TO 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 bat
tie, the electrical voice of Houston was heard
rising high aud clear above tlhe battle line,
NotO charge my lads! And remember the Ala.
mo! Goiad! The very Heavens seemed
10 echo, that fierce battle shout-Remsmbcr
the Aiumoi Remmember Goliad f' and with
the roar of the tornado, and the force TO the
whirlwind. that little band of heroes, with
Housotn at their head, hurled themselves up
on the foe. Short, desperate and terrific,
like The mad crashing of the elements, was
that wild, strange and glorious battle. Sew
enieen minutes had scarcely elapsed, before
eight hundred Mexicans were lying dead
and dying on that proud field, and Santa An
ma, the boasted Napoleon of the South, was
seeking safety in fight And from amid
the smoke, and mad carnage of battle, was
seen 10 rise from that bloody plain, the star
of Liberty the lone star of Texas!
Although his leg was badly shattered by G
four ounce copper ball, Houston.still kept
his horse, galloping hither and lhilher over
the field, issuing orders for the care of the
wounded, the protection and safe keeping
oil the prisoners, and the pursuit of the flying
foe.
On the 23d Of April the second day after
the battle, nearly eight hundred Mexcans,
were prisoners in the Texan camp: quiet
and calm had succeeded the turmoil oil bat
tie, and the hero of San Jacinto was reci-
ming in his tent, with his shattered leg sup
ported on rough hewn stool, while his
mind was busiy employed in revolving
plans for the future civilgovernment of Tel
as. Suddenly shout burst from among The
Mexican prisoners, of viva, viva, Santa
Anna" Give, live Santa Anna,) and under
an escort Of two Texan soldiers, the fallen
Emporer in person approached, disguised in
the garb of q common soldier.
Santa Anna was Immediately taken to
Iloas.on's tent who treated him with distin-
guishod kindness and courtesy, assuring him
that the magnamiiy Of the Texans would
preven. any retaliation on prisoner, for The
breach of faith and buchery at Goaliad.
The Mexican General expressed great ad-
miration for the prowess of the Texan troops, !,
but told Houston that he had violated one
of the plainest rules of warfare, in no. al
tacking Cos and himself in detail, instead OF
awaiting their combination. Houston smi-
led, but made no reply, until Santa Anna a.
gain PRESSED the remark when Houston quiz