The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-04-13

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surprise, looked his captor full in the face.
lie was disguised in a miserable rustic
dress. He wore skin cap, a round jacket,
and pantaoons Of blue domestic cotton,
with Il pair Of coarse soldiers Shoes But
lis face and his manners bespoke, too plain
!y, that he belonged to Il different class than
his garb hctokcncd; and underneath his
coarse disguise, Sylvester saw that he wore
shirt of the finest linen camLric you
are an officer, perceive, sir, said the horse
man, raising his cap politely. "No, sol
dicr,' was his reply; and he drew out let
ter i'll Spanish, addressed to Almoutc.-
When he saw there was no hope OF escape
he cnquired for Gen. Houston By this
time Sylvester had been joined by several
OF his comrades, and mounting his prisoner
behind him, they rode off together on the
same horse, to the camp, several miles dis
tant' As he passed the Mexican prisoners,
they exclaimed with great surprise, as they
lifted their caps, "El PreSidcntc"
In single moment, the news spread
through the camp that Gen. Santa Anna
WAS a prisoner, and the Dictator was taken
to Houston. The General was lying on
the ground, and having slept little during
the night, in consequence of his wound, had
now fallen into doZc. Santa Anna came
up behind him, and took his hand. Uous-
ton reused himself, and turning over, gazed
up i'll the face of the Mexican, who extended
his left arm, and laying his right hand on
his heart, said, al am Gen. Antonio Lopez
Republic. and claim to be your prisoner of
war" Houston waved his hand to box,
for it was the only seat in the camp
and asked his prisoner to be seated. He
then sent for Almonte, who spoke English
perfectly, and requested him to act us inter
prefer.
In the meantime. Santa Anna had taken
his seat, and glancing his eye occasionally
around the camps with tiInid expression,
pressed the sides of his breast, with both
hands, and gave two or three half:supprcssed
groans, like man who was suffering deep
pain. An interesting Incident took place
about this time, which is thus related by
| Gen. Rusk: "At the time Santa Anna was
brought into our camp, WAS walking with
young Zavala. (The reader will recognize
in this youthful character son of the no.
bic and venerable Zavala, who distinguished
himself rs the friend of Texan in,lcpcnd-
encc.) We approached him togcther.-
Santa Anna recognized young Zavala nt
once, and advanced to meet him with great
apparent cordiality, uttcrng many cxprcs.
sions of kindness, such as are customary
among the MeXicans on such occasions. sew
eral of which | remember. Among other
things, he exclaimed, ooh! my friend, nv
friend, the son of my early friend - with
winch, and Other ordinations in the same
strain, he embraced young Zavala, with
high indications of apparent feeling, and |
think dropping tear. Young Zavala re-
turned his greeting with that Difference
which would have been due to his former rank
and power; but at the same time emitting
from his countenance an expression have
scarce seen equallcd. His looks seemed to
wither Santa Anna, and staring him full in
the face, he replied Immediately, with great
modesty, "lt has been so, sir" Santa Anna
cvinced plainly that he was much mortified"
Almonte approached his captive General
with evident respect and gricf, and the fol-
lowing conversation took place between the
two commanders; Houston in the mean
time lying OH the ground, resting on his
elbow. Great pains has been taken to get
as nearly as possible the exact words used
by the speakers, and those who were present
at the interview, have assured us, that all
here related they do remember, and they
recollect nothing else of Importance.
Santa Anna.-(After embracing Almon-
te and recovering perfectly from his embar-
rassment, rose, and advancing with the air
OF one ;borh to command, said to Gen.
Houston) )-"That man may consider him.
self born to no common destiny. who has
conquered the Napoleon of the West; and
it now remains for him to be generous to
the vanquished."
Houston.-"You should have remem-
bered that at the Alamo"
!: S. A.-"You must be aware that was
Justified in my course by the usages of war
| had summoned a surrender, and they had
refused. The place was then taken by
storm, and the usnges Of war justified the
slaughter of the yanquished"
H-"That aoas the casgs once, but it is
now obsolete. Such usages among civilized
nations have yielded 3tqeIhe influences o.
humanity" ss;iSis
s. A.-"However9this fnay be, I wa.
acting under the ordefsa aof Government"
H-"Why, YOU are The Government o
Mexico" ~ =. a
s, al have orders in my possession
commanding me 80 to aet."' ,,.s@ I, ~. :.
! H,-"A Dictator, sir, has no superior"
4 s. A.-"I have orders, Gen. Houston
from my Government, commanding me It,
T. . A..I