Smyrna times., 1857-07-08

leduIlS OVeE Ine HOuuldlnS 10 Ihe PoWuS4-
house, which was situated on the brow of the
hill that overlooks the Alamo and the interven'
ing plain. The party were well mounted, and
full of the spirit of fighting. Just as they
reached the brow of the eminence, the Lieuten-
ant shouted, '!Now, boys, spread yourselves out
and make as much show as possible, and remem-
Der not to dodge ball after you hear it whiS-
tie, for the ball that you can hear whistle will
never do any harm!'' The party had proceed
ed but few PAGES, when a number of scatter
ing shots from ravine near at hand, caused
the brave commander to dodge his head from
side to side,with an energy that deserved cred
it, whereupon the men cried out, "No dodging,
Captain; no use to dodge when you can hear
the balls whistle" "D-n it," said he; 81
can't help !" A common by-word in the army
after that was, "Never dodge whistle
| few days afterwards, Captain Tanning (now
known as Col. Fannng) was ordered to advance
by circutous route to the ruins of the Mission
Espado, where he had u skirmish with some of
the Mexcans. From thence he advanced to
Conception, where he engaged the entire army
OF Gen. Cos, who came out Of the city of San
Antonio to meet him, and although Captain
Tanning had but sixty men, he repulsed the
Mexicans with considerable slaughter. Had he
obtained an additional force of one hundred men
at this juncture he might have taken the city !;
but Gen. Austin, who was coming up with the
main body of the army, counselled otherwise,
and SO the glorious opportunity was lost.
Capt. Tanning was most excellent officer,
and well fitted to be in command; in fact, it
was thought by some that he was the only per-
son whose requirements were such as those
should possess who have supreme command
He possessed military education, having gra-
duated at West Point, and had all the qualifca-
tions of u true soldier. Had he been the gene
raj instead of the captain, doubtless the victory
of Conception would have been crowned with
the taking Of San Antonio, and that, too, with
out any further loss.
Some six or eight weeks now transpred,
marching and counter-marchlng in view of the
enemy's Notifications. Sometimes the army
was at the mill north of the city, and sometimes
at Conception, no skirmishing of Importance
| taking place, with the exception of what has
been termed the grass fight, in which the Mexi-
cans lost number of men in killed and wound
ed. In this skirnRsh the Texans took some $50
horses and as many saddles from the enemy,
and drove them into camp withoutnny loss to
themselves. Frequent sham assaults upon the
city, accompanied by a summons to surrender,
which the Mexican commander treated with
contempt.
| The Texan army was at length brought into
ridicule, and great dissatisfaction began to be
manifested at the conduct of it's commander
The inhabita nts received orders or permits from
the General TO gathe: corn in the neighborng
fields, and these kept the MeXicans apprised Of
all that was occurring in the Texan camp
The soldiers became exasperated, and many
seeing that nothing was being done, left fol
their homes. Happily, at this juncture of at:
fairs, news arrived of the appointment of Gen
Austin as Commissioner to the United States.
Gen. Burlison succeeded to the command anC
he proved no less irresolute than his predeces
sor. After repeating the experiments of Gen
Austin, with similar results, and being unwilling
to assume the responsibilities of commanding al
assault upon the city, it was decided to sell tht
public property taken at the "grass fight" ant
; then disband. Word to this effect was carreC
, to the Mexcans in San Antonio.
) A few undaunted spirits, who quaied not a
few difficulties, secretly planned an assault t.
take place the next morning. Accordingly
: about three o'clock the ensuing day, party O
less than 200, under the guidance of celebra
Y ted character, known in the army under tn
Q cognomen of Deaf Smith," (and who was c
S great usefulness to the Texans during the war,
: and Gen. Milan, entered Berrymanda street i
e two divisions. Gen. Milan commanded one d
n vision, and Deaf Smith the other. They too
e possession of houses on opposite sides of til
j street intrenchments were made to commun
n cate with each other, and the assault began
t, good earnest. The Mexicans fought with des
It peration. The Texans cut through the house
fighting as they went. Showers of balls raj
0. tied against the stone walls of the houses, "
x doing but little harm. Some Mexicans, VIII
n were posted in the tower of church, annoye
IN the Texans very much; SC Gen. Milan got
es cannon mounted upon wagon, and run it OF
al into the street for the purpose of dislodgn
r. them, but so rapid and effective was the di
in charge of the enemy's musketry, that the piet
IL was dismounted ere they could discharge it,
Is, The damage was repaired, however, and Il
" gun run out a second time and discharged, al
as soon cleared the tower Of Its occupants. 2
he The contestants battled for FIVE consecut
ais days and nights, when the Mexicans surrende
les ed. The houses, streets, avenues and squar
were strewn with the eneruy's dead and dyin
en- The loss Of the Texans wits trifing-six kill
IN. and wounded. So great was the fatigue
XII some OF the soldiers in t!llI Texan ranks, Ii