The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-04-20
A BORDER BATTLE.
General Santa Annals Defeat and Sur
render ut San Jacmt0.
HoustOn's Great MISUNDERSTANDING Events
That Led to the Engagement-Fictor
and vanqufshsd.
IPhiladelphia Times I

ming of 1886 that the Americans, disorgan-
lied, undisciplined and scattered as they
were, meant business and he determined TO
to inhict what he intended to be q crushing
blow defeat SO signal that it would for
ever end the dream of conquest by the in
vsders. Too sagacious and cautious Cen
sr.l not to fully appreciate the fact that not
outstanding all the disadvantages under
which they were, from a military point of
view. the Americans were still formidable
foe, he collected the flower of the Mexican
army and in the beginning of February
gave the orders to advance. At this time
time the American forces were widely scat
tered-had no recognized plan of action nor
indeed any leader whose orders they would
all implicitly obey. They werein point of
fact, simply an aggregation of guerilla
bands, each acting under the orders of its
own chief-when it choose. Houston, with
a body Of troops-say six or seven hundred
men-wss back from the frontier at place
where he could easily fall back on Gaines,
who with the United States army was still
watching events from camp on the west
side ofthe Nechez River. II
In the meantime, how was it with the men
in the gap-the men to whom Sam Houston
had started out to give such half-hearted
support. These men were the advance
guard of the American army, in faet-but
not by any arrangement. Among their
leaders were such men as Cabler, Harring-
ton, Featherston, Gray, Bennett, Hoard and
Tally. These, with their commands, made
a force of say five or six hundred men, and
were scattered around considerable section,
but generally on the banks of the Brazos.
At this time the eastern bank of the river
was comparatively safe. The opposite side
was debatable ground.
DRUGGING THE MEXICAN LANcERs.
Whether the events which am now
about to describe were part of q preconcerted
plan or were simply an inspiration born of
necessity, l can not pretend to say, but do
know that to one man exclusively belongs
the credit. That man was DR.. Bennett.
We were lying on the left or western bank
of the Brazos and looking across the river,
waiting for -tidings of scouting parties that
had gone out, when suddenly mounted
man darted iAto our camp at full speed shout
Ing. as ne came. ne are
The man was fromHoard's detachment which
was some twenty miles further up the bank
of the river. His report was alarming
enough. Their pickets had discovered a
large body of Mexican cavalry (lancers) ad-
vancing down the river. The command to
which he belonged was coming down to join
us, and preparations must be instantly made
for defense. Even as be spoke HoardIs men
a 70 fNhaxv. cd
to be in hurry. We made instant prepa-
ratiOns for defense and retreat. 1t was now
about 2 o'clock in the afternoon; before
the Mexican and a few American settlers
had begun fleeing across the river, passing
our camp in their fight from Santa Anna's
terrible lancers. And now began the first
part of DIR. Bennet's strategy-a plan he
had, conceived to defeat the Mexican army
by American whisky. Under his orders
twenty-five barrels of liquor were carried
across the river to the little Mexican ham,
let opposite. These were placed in the sup
ply stores and concealed-concealed, how
ever, in such manner that they could cas-
ily be discovered. Dr. Bennett, In hur-
ried consultation had detailed his plan. 1t
depended for success in the movements of
the enemy, and he had judged and judged
rightly, as it subsequently, transpired, that
they would 60 into camp directly at the Op-
posite side of the river. 1t would be dusk
about the time they arrived there; they
could find wood, water and supplies, and
knowing that the Americans held the eppo-
site bank they would hardly cross 70 the
night attack of an enemy of whose strength
and position they knew nothing. Bennett
hit it exactly.
NIGHT ATTACK 0S THE ENEMY.
Acting under bennetrs orders the
American force drew back from the bank
of the river, leaving, however, in plain view
an encampment which would show that
only a small detachment was present. The
Mexican lancers began to appear in sight
by o'clock, and an hour later they had be-
gan to encamp at the very spot which Ben
nett had indicated that in all likelihood they
would select. Darkness fell, and the lights
in the camp began to CLEAN, while from
where l was lying in the bushes on the OPP
posite side we could distinctly hear their
shouts and bugle calls, as we'll as the neigh
ing OF their horses. About o'clock the
first barrel of liquor had been found, and we
could imagine had begun to do its work.
1t was not, however, until nearly midnight
that the wild pandemonium which broke
loose gave unerring indications that the en-
tire supply had been discovered and was
being rapidly consumed. 1t was evident
that there was not much discipline left in
that camp. Silently and quickly the Amer
lean forces were ordered up, and in ten min
utes the great secret was known to every
man in the con- nsnd. Every barrel of the
liquor had been. druggedl A night attack
was to be made on the Mex
leans, who, stupefed and demor-
allied as they naturally would be, were in
no condition to repel it. If ever men felt
like cheering it was then, for it meant that
the salvation Of the whole command WIS
practically assured if we should do the work
allotted TO US. The details were quickly
made. One party Of about 100 men, under
Harrington, went up the river about two
miles, crossed, and silently awaited the sig
nal for the onslaught; another, under Cab
Ter, went down the stream about the same
distance, and waited; the main body, under
Bennett himself, stood prepared for an at
tack near the enemy's center. Cabler's men
were 10 give the signal. And now, in the
darkness and silence, the movement began.
Away up the stream, crouching in the
bushy underground, Harrington awaited the
signal. 1t cameat last-a volley of mIsket-
~ told that the attack had begun On the
sleeping Mexican lancers.
THE MKxIcAEs SURPRISED AND CUT TO
PIECES.
There was no enemy to contend with after
Al A. a.. -