Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-09-26
BATTLE on SAN JlaNI''O.
Sow Santa Anna Was Captured-Aenaan
essences Of the War for the 1ndepena-
euce of Texas. Pc. ".+t@ :. I +"ts<ss@ - s--.-s

eace Of Texas. III r..
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette
The Commercial Gazette had the
pleasure the other day OF an interview
with an old gentleman whose remanls-
cences of the war for the independence
of the Lone Star state, in which he was
an active participant, are so bright and
vivid. and told in such bright and
sprightly style, that they are well worth
partial reproduction for the entertain
ment OF our readers, with that due re-
gard to the economy of space that must
necessarily deprive them of many points
Of detail.
Lucien Hopson, now eight. two years
OF age, and spending few days in the
CITY, was born and reared and educated
Geauga County, Ohio. Among his
schoo1mates were David Tod, Calvin
pease and Sebury Ford, all Of whom
became governors of their state. He
lived some years in this city, and in
1884 went to Texas. He took part IN
the struggle for right to live there,
earned the right at the risk of his life,
and since then has held it. When our
representative met Mr. Hopson he
found him decorated with badge of
the Texas Veterans, in honor Of the day ,
and very willing to talk about it.
Having been identified with the city,
Mr.. Hopson was one to warmly wei
come to Texas the volunteers who went
down there from here, and he joined
them. They arrived III Texas iii fine
form, splendidly armed and uniformed
bearing q large and beautiful banner OF
silk that had been presented by ladies
of this city. It bore an embroidered
figure Of the Goddess of Liberty, life
size of a woman, and the Legend 'Vic-
tory or Death" When presented here,
with great ceremony, lady made the
speech Of presentation, and placed her
glove upon the spear end Of the staff !;
and the man who received it, kneellng
upon one knee, declared that it should
be defended with knightly honor and
courage 1t was under this beautiful
banner Mr. Hopson, then "a years of
age, 8 man of good size, powerful frame,
keen eyes, Injured to fatigue, and prob
ably full Of courage and enthusiasm,
swore to aid in driving the hated pow
er Of Mexico out of Texas. He joined
at Nagadoches, but most of his service
was rendered as scout and spy on horse
back. But he participated In the bat
tie Of San Jacinto, where the terrible
slaughter Of the Mexicans occurred, and
after that stood guard over Santa Anna.
General Houston, by a feint at re-
treat, had induced Santa Anna to di~
vide his powerful army of $4,000 men
into three commands, in order to cut off
the retreat of the little band of Ameri-
cans and slaughter them as at the
Alamo. The three divisions were thus
widely separated, when, on the 2lst Of
April, 1855, the Americans, under
Houston, only 600 or 700 strong, came
upon the main body intrenched under
Santa Anna.
Mr.. Hopson puts the strength OF the
Americans at 673. General Houston,
in his speech before congress, placed it
at 1873. But Mr. Hopson explains that
the general didn't go into details about
the number who held back on account
Of the appalling odds OF the enemy be-
hind breastsworks. Itseems Jllat Gen
/ eral Rush secretary Of war. who was
present, warned them Of the odds, and
gave those who chose to shlrk chance
| to do so. Some did Lack out. but most
| Of them were made available as q re-
serve. The grand assault upon the
enemys works was made at high noon,
! and was in the nature Of d surprise, as
the Mexicans did not think the Aneri-
cans would dare to charge against such
odds. But charge they did and
| over the breastworks they went and
fearfully slaughtered the enemy, with a
! loss to themselves of only eight killed
and twenty four wounded. It seems
that the first volley Of the Mexicans was
; fired too high and the second too low,
and by chat time they were not in con.
dition to shoot any more to speak about
and the desperate 900 were in the midst
shooting with rifles and pistols, slash,
ing, stabbing with swords, bayonets and
those terrible bowie knives. The Mexi
cans were stampeded and slaughtered
like sheep. Seven hundred were killed
and as. many more wounded and 8S
many escaped. When Santa Anna was
captured the scene around him was ter,
rifle. Remember the Alamo" was still
the cry, and the Mexican chieftain's
life was in desperate jeopardy
A Got of officers closed around him
and protected MIN at the risk of thei1
lives. These, in turn, were completely
surrounded by the men, some of whom
stuck at Santa Anna with their knives
| over the heads and shoulders of the o fiji.
GERS One officer had his clothing ano
the skin of his arm cut through. Al
last the men were quieted by the state
| ment that after General Houston had
interviewed the prisoner they could kill
finn. Once in the presence Of Houston
as prisoner OF war, Santa Anna was
comparatively safe, for he Immediately
agreed to all terms.
Mr.. Hopson overheard the CONVERSE
ton and gives an interesting account o.
it. All that Santa Anna had to say
was, Isl, generMe." eyes general.
Said Houston: do you acknowiedgt
the independence Of Texas?"
Isl, generate"
edo youagree to pay all the damages
and expenses of the war;"
Isl, generate.
EDO you agree TO leave all the PUN
der on this side OF the Brazos?"
ST. generate"
"Do y ou agree to cause all your troops
to evacuate Texas immediately?"
Isl, generate"
"Will you send your orders by YOU
officers, accompanied by ours, to set
that this is carried QUIT"
''Si, generate"
These orders were carried out, though