San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-07-31

eral Houston, by a feint Of retreat
had induced Santa Anna TO divide
his powerful army Of Ia, 900 men int
three commands, in order TO cut of
the retreat of the little band Of Amer
leans and slaughter them as at the
Alamo. The three divisions were
thus widely separated when, on the
21st of April, 1886, the Americans
under Houston, only six or seven
hundred strong, came upon the main
body, entrenched under Santa Anna
Mr.. Hopson puts the strength Of
the Americans at 673. General Hous
ton, in his speech before congress
placed it at 783. But Mr.. Hopson
explains that the General didn't go
int0 3ome details about the number
who held back on account Of the ap
palling odds of the enemy behind
breastworks. 1t seems that General
Rusk, Secretary of War, who was
present, warned them of the odds, and
gave those who chose to shirk a
chance to do so. Some did back out,
but most of them were made avail
able as reserve. The grand assault
upon the enemy's works was made
at high noon and was in the nature
ola surprise, as the Mexicans did not
think the Americans would dare to
charge against such odds. But
charge they did and over the breast
works they went, and fearfully
slaughtered the enemy, with loss to
themselves of only eight killed and
and twenty-four wounded. 1t seems
that the first volley of the Mexicans
was fred too high and the second too
low, and by that time they were not
in condition to shoot any more to
speak about, and the desperate six
hundred were in their midst, shooting
with rifles and pistols, slashing aud
stabbing with swords, bayonets, and
those terrible bowie-knives. The
Mexicans were stampeded and slaug-
tered like sheep. Seven hundred were
killed, and as many were wounded,
and about as many escaped. When
Santa Anna was captured the scene
around him was terrific. ':Remem-
ber the Alamo was still the cry, and
the Mexican chieftains life was IN q
desperate jeopardy. A lot of officers
closed around him and protected him
at the risk of their lives. These in
turn were completely surrounded by
the men, some of whom struck at
Santa Anna with their knives over
the heads and shoulders of the officers.
One officer had his clothing and the
skin of an arm cut through. At last
the men were quieted by the state
ment that after General Houston had
interviewed. the prisoner they could
kill him. Once in the presence Of
Houston as prisoner Of war, Santa
Anna was comparatively safe, for he
Immediately agreed TO oil terms.
Mr.. Hopson overheard the conver-
sation and gives an interesting ac-
count of of it. All that Santa Anna
had to say was, Isl, Generale," yes,
General" Said Houston. "Do you
ackn owledge the independence of
Texas?
Isl, Generate"
"Do you acknowledge the Rio
Grande the boundary between Texas
and Mexico?"
Isl, Generate"
"Do you agree to leave all plunder
this side of the Rio Brazos?"
Isl, Generale."
"Do you agree to cause all your
troops to evacuate Texas immediate
ly?"
"Si, Generate"
"Will you send your orders by
your officers accompanied by ours
to see that this is carried QUIT"
Isl, Generale.'
These orders were carried out,
though not before the divisions had
effected q junction in such force as to
be too powerful for the Americans
still. Some of the Mexican Generals
were indignant to the point of disc
bedience; but they were overruled.
Mr.. Hopson describes the 'plunder'
referred to as covering q five ncre
field as high as one could reach. 1t
consisted of all sorts Of personal
bought in Mexico and
stolen in Texas. The Mexicans had
come there to occupy the land-to
stay. Their plunder did stay; the
only Mexicans who stayed larded the
earth.