The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-04-25
lFor the 'DExOcRArIc srArEsNAs1
Porty-Second Anniversary of the
Battle OF san JacInto.

FOrty-Second Anniversary of th
Battle OF san JacInto.
This being the anniversary of th
battle of San JacInto, which was fougl
on the twenty-first of April, 1886,
may be gratifying to the descendant
of those Texans, who participated i
the struggle for Texan independence
as we'll as those arriving in our State
to publish brief review of that elori
Gus days work. and of some of tn
previous Operations-ciyil and militia
(which led TO it:
In April, 1923, q convention of dis
tinguished representative citizens from
the different municipalities of Texas
then part of the State of COahuils
and Texas, met at San Felipe de Aus.
tin, on the Brazos. Among them were
Stephen F. Austin, Branch T. Arthur,
ID. G.. Burnet, Sam Houston, VIM. III.
Wharton and j. B. Miller. The con.
vention drew up q memorial to the gen.
eral Congress of Mexico, asking re.
spectfullY for. separate State govern.
ment for Texas, to which she felt enti-
tied by the Constitution of 1924, under
which the colonists had settled in the
country, as well as for redress of griev-
ances imposed on them by the authori-
ties without sanction of law. Stephen
+. Austin was appointed to present
this memorial, which was in every way
respectful and moderate, to the Con-
gress of the Republic of Mexico; but,
on reaching the capital, he found that
government centralized under the con-
troll of Santa Anna. He was arrested,
imprisoned and kept in Mexico
until September, 1885. About the
thirteenth of October, 1885, Gen. Cos,
brother-in-law of Santa Anna. arrived
at the port of Copano with 400 Mexi-
can troops, and marched thence, by
Goliad, to San Antonio, with the
avowed purpose of overrunning Texas,
disarming the people, driving out ali
Americans who had come into Texas
since 1880, and furnishing all who had
insulted the supreme government of
Mexico, etc.
Commencing to disarm the Texans,
Col. Ugartachea sent 200 men from
San Antonio 10 Gonzales for a SIX
FOUNDER cannon, which had been
placed there for defense against In
dians. Although other battles had
been fought previously, the action
near Gonzales is considered and recog-
nized as the first battle of the
Texas revolution. 1t is not intended
in this article to give minute details of
engagements, but rather leading Incl
dents of the revolution; yet, in con-
nection with this affair, it may be of
more than ordinary interest to relate an
incident or two heretofore supplied by
an old soldier and eye witness. The
Mexican officer, Castanado, demanded
the cannon. The citizens replied that
their alcslde was absent, and that they
would give an answer on his return.
This produced suspense of about
three days, during which time an ex-
press had been sent to the citizens of
the Guadalupe, the Colorado aud the
Brszos for aid. Volunteers from each
point turned out and FASTENED to the
rescue. On the arrival of freinforcemen,s
the citizens informed the Mexican com
mander that their alcalde had returned,
and that he had determined not to give
up the cannon. The Mexican officer
said: 81 have come for the cannon
and will not return without it." The
Mexican force occupied the west and
the Texans the east bank of the Guada-
lupe river for over two days. During
this time Major r. NJ. Williamson
(three legged Willie) and a few COM
rades drew the cannon in open view of
the Mexicsns, and elevated upon 1t in
large, elaring eharsetssrs, s.s s,..s.C "Come and
the effort and withdrew about six miles
in the direction of San Antonio. The
Texans organized by electing ]. w.
Moore colonel, and j. w. f. Wallace
lieutenant colonel, pursued the enemy,
whipped them, and sent them flying to
their stronghold at San Antonio. The
Texans returned to Gonzales, where
they met their we'l-beloved Stephen F.
Austin. Several other companies of
volunteers having arrived, Austin, by
acclamation, was announced command
ing general of the forces, and William
T. Austin his aide, and Rev. W. P.
Smith surgeon general. While drill
ing and preparing for the march to San
Antonio, the Sabbath day ensued, on
the evening of which Rev. w. P.
Smith. acting in the joint capacity of
surgeon and chaplain, preached to the
officers, soldiers and citizens from
Isaiah l., 10 and 20: If ye be willing
and obedient ye shall eat the good of
the land; but If ye refuse and retel ye
shall be devoured by the sword; for
the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Truly an appropriate text at the COM
mencement of q revolution.
On the thirteenth of October, 1885,
Gen. Austin, having effected partial
organization of his little army of about
400, took up the line of march for
Bexar to dislodge Cos, leaving behind
an appeal for reinforcements. He ar
rived at the Salado on the twentieth of
October and sent forward flag of
truce to the Mexican commander, who
rejected it, and threatened to fire on q
second flag if sent. Austin marched
his men to q point on the San Antonio
river, about eight miles below the city,
to await reinforcements. On the Sec
ond of November he moved his camp
to q point short distance above the
city. On the twenty-fifth of Novem-
ber Gen. Austin surrendered the COM
mand to Gen. Ed. Burleson. From the
time the army reached the San Anto.
nio river until the storming of the city
important events occurred In such rap
Id succession that 1t would be out of
place in q newspaper article to afford
them more than mere mention. While
our army was before Bexar occurred
the battle of Conception, where Bowie
and Fannin, on the twenty-seventh of
October, with ninety-two men, defeat
ed 400 Mexicans; and on November
occurred the ''Grass Fight" where 200
Texans routed 400 Mexicans, while
other important affairs had trans
pired at GoliAd and LlpantItlan ia
vorable to the arms of the Texans.
In the beginning Of December 8 great
diversity of opinion prevailed as to
whether q regular siege or an assault
by storm should be the policy of the
Texans, when, on the fourth of De-
cember, Ben r. Milan called for vol
unteers TO enter the city by storm,
when 300 gallant spirits Immediately
responded, and Gen. .Burleson consent
ed to the attack. The volunteers were
formed in two divisions, one under Mi
lam, the other under the brave Col.
Frank w. johnson, who, though at
present over seventy years old, may
frequently be seen in the streets Of
Austin, looking hale and vigorous. Af-
ter Eve days hard fighting, and being
reinforced from Burleson's reserves on