Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-10-21
From the Boston Weekly Museum.
General Houston.


mas indeed been checkered one his whole
history would form a narrative of startling inter.
est, rlvallng in pure facts the most absorbing
g romance" of ancient or modern times. The
vlcssItndes Of his career, as an adventurer sold
Ter, and statesman, never have been equalled
and his courage, generosity, humanity, and en-.
durance under privaton and danger, have never
been surpassed by mortal man. Gen. Houston
seemed "cut OUT, and fitted for the very emer-
gency that revolutonized Texas and caused the
Z" lone STAR to float in triumph over an independ-
ent Republic. We doubt much whether any
other living man could have consolidated, ap-
pointed and led the crude materials W ith which
the Texan army was created, but Gen. Sam
Houston, Composed as was this army Of young
and old-desperate, daring, reckless adventures
none but a most wonderful man, prominently
and daring, affable and resoIute,
himself, could hope TO win such material to his
will, and control them as the necessities Of the
hour or the commanders judgment dictated
ButGen Houston was the man for the pecu-
liar emergency, and few but learned to respect
him for his decisive, calm judgment and firm
courage; in the moments that called these vlr-
tues into action, he was thar
Gen. Houston, no Rever, found opponents iea-
GUS and desperate would be rivals, TO cavll at his
abilities as a chleftaln, and brave authority at
commandant. One of these men, in the darkest
hour of Texan struggles, devoted his time and
exertion in endeayoring to create revolt in the
little army of brave but waverng men. This
man. whom we may cal Col. Dastard, was final
" discovered and unmasked in his treacherous
movements and in modification and perfectly
desperate bravado came out inio more open
ground denounced Houston as o coward and
drunkard, and assumed the most hostile attitude
toward Texass llberator. Sam Houston is a
large body, slow to move, bat being under way
small impedments don't easily check his notion
The bloodest battles of Texas were yet to be
fought Col. Crockett, Coils. Bowie and Bonham
were yet to die, and with their blood make rich
the virgin soil of the ever beautiful land of prai.
ries and chvaraic deeds. Time was precious,
and such lives as that of Houston and his gal.
lanl companion in arms too dear 10 the "lone
stars" cause to be risked in personal encounter
in settling The private feuds Of mere man against
man.
r
Crockett, Bowie, and others, atNhe Alamo, reach.
ed Gen. Honston late III the evening, who held a
eourcil at once for the purpose of furnishing in
slant relief for those brave officers and their he.
roc. men; but as Iiouston's good intentions
were perverted by the evil designs of bastard
and the clique he had formed, no relief was de-
yised The Alamo and bis defenders fell Das-
tard at once circulated the report that Gen. Fl. g
will-his cowardice alone, prevented the instant
volunteering of two hundred of the Texans to
90 to the rescue of Fannln and his associates
but when this iusiduous falsehood was checked
by the next act of the Texan revolutionary trag-
edy Qhe desperate situation of Goliad and his
defenders,) Gen. Houston, at once calling for
ward those willing to do or die" Many volun
teering for the purpose, and the untimey sur
render of Gollsd alone frustrating the perform
ance bastard became enraged, and, in bravado
much heightened by whisky, openly avowed his
intention Of challenging or assuulting Gen. Fl .,
then at or near tho town of Washington, the head
quarters of the revoluionists. And the challenge
was duly presented TO Gen. Houston. Old Sans
face underwent one Of those peculiarly jocuar
him 10 ball. Just then Col. Burleston passed
the window of the room in which Gen. Houston
was seated, and the latter called to him
{" Look here moment Colonel! What does
all this mean? Read it, do"
Burleston, quick, warm hearted, and chival.
rous North Curollnian, at once said
"Why, General, that desperado, Col. bastard
has really challenged you; go shoot him, and
get one of your most impiacable enemies out of
Texas! ...r IA s.'...
"But stop" added Burleston "you cannot
do it. bastard is a dead shot "a notorious, fatal
duelis, |" ...-, ..,...f,f ......
And an unmiigated scoundrel," said Hous
ton. t.' '' t.t
F." Beneath your notice, General, said Burles-
ton. .. Is
I" But has his influence and rascally clique at
disposal"
"True," replied the North Caronian. "You
cannot fight him, General, but p
go, never mind my dear sir" pleasantly re
sponded the Generals never mind, Burleston.-
want to show the whole tribe of my calumnia
tors that am match Tor them all. bastard, as
the champion of his cabaI, must be met he
must be whipped, sir, like hound, sir "-tht
General was getting " steam up"-l'll do it
yes, will But first, Texas claims my atten
ton-my life and blood are hers. Bureston, il
three days, the closing scenes of this Revolution
will be enacted the star of this Republic viii
be seen and recognized by civilized nations, and
the enemy shall be taken or scattered to the
four winds, sir.'
| 81 hope SO, responded Burleston.
81 know so, Colonel" said Houston. "Wher
that act is performed, sr, | am free again--a
simple citizen--at liberty to uss my life and
time as my feelings may dictate, or the nature ol
the case requires There, sir," said he, dashing
a few hurried lines with his pen " there, Colo
mel, is my reply to bastard. must beg of you
to present it. In ten days time shall be here
again, under circumstances that will admit oi
my giving him and his clan the rebuke they SC
richly merit from me and those upon whom Tex
as now look for safety, victory, and peace"
General,I am proud to serve you" sale