San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-04-24

hundred yards and heard the word OF
command to fire. The Mexican volley
was splendid, but aimed high. Part Of
the Texans dropped to the ground as
they heard the word, but their line was
not broken. The next instant, every
man taking aim, they delivered MUIR
derous volley. Tho effect was awful.
Whole platoons of Mexicans seemed to
fall in line. Their right broke at once
and fled wildly to the timber in the rear.
Their left, already thrown into confusion
by the Texan artillery, soon broke, but
the center stood tolerably firm till the
Texans were on them.
There was no time to reload. The two
lines met with murderous crash. The
Mexicans tried the bayonet; the Texans,
having no bayonets, clubbed their guns.
These broken, they emptied their pistols,
then drew their bowie knives and hewed
their way through living flesh. Some Of
the survivors spoke of this combat as "an
hour long" In fact, it did not exceed
five minutes. 1t was man to man, dubbed
gun to bayonet, and bowie knife against
saber. The whole Mexican line gave
way, and over all the dreadful field was
heard only the Texan yell: Remember
the Alamol Vengeance for Goliadr And
from the Mexicans screams and cries:
"Me no Goliad! Me no Alamo! o, Jesus
Maria, piedadl Por 81 amor de Dios,
piedadr'
The retreat divided apparently into
three columns. Those who ran south
and southwest into the open prairie
were mostly taken alive. A section ran
more to the left, into the mire and hum
mocks of the bayou, and nearly all these
were killed in tho heat Of vengeance.
The cavalry galloped westward only to
find Vince's bridge over the west bayou
destroyed. With the yells Of enraged
Texans ringing In their ears, they
plunged down the steep bank. Many
were drowned or killed, but enough es-
capped 10 carry the news of the calamity.
Houston saw that the battle was won.
and, bleeding profusely, with an ankle
shattered by the first Mexican volley, hc
sank fainting from his horse. He had
scarcely revived when the prisoners be-
gan to come in, and among the first the
suave, courteous and cultured Almonte,
who had spent his youth in the United
States and spoke the language huently.
The next day Santa Anna, In the guise of
a common soldier, was dragged out Of
the tall grass Of the bayou, half dead
with cold and fright. The Mexicans had
$50 killed, and nearly all the rest were
captured. The American loss was
killed and 25 wounded. The independ-
ence of Texas was settled forever.
One Texan fled from the field without
firing shot. His captain interceded for
the man when he was brought before
Houston. 81 will pardon him" said the
general, ION condition that he will marry 1
into valiant race and cross the breed."
This man volunteered at the first OF the
Mexican war, and nobly redeemed his
character.
The news Of the wonderful victory
thrilled all Americans, and to none
brought more delight than to President
jackson. Santa Anna was escorted to |
the frontier and made a tour In the Init |
ed States, then returned 10 his nativo |
land 10 figure in many a revolution and |
suffer his final defeats at Buena Vista
and Huamantla- Expelled again and
again from his country, and more than
once sentenced 70 death. he returned al
last under the general amnesty. and in
1879 ended his troubled life Of - years
on his old estate AZ Mango Cavo.
Houston. born in Virginia. March 2.
I7e3. died at Huntsville, July .. 1853.
His life closed amid the lurid clouds of /
revolution. and when a troubled people
blamed iBdiscriminziely all who opposed
them; but no temporary Clouds could
obscure the deserved fame q the Wash
ingtOn of TeKzA lie gss twics presi-
dent q Texas. tuioe . member q her
co1gress. and tsice her sen4tor In the
oo1gress of the United Sfafts The
sognd instinct q manly men bijs them
resoecs the fou1dors q co-nIDOhrealths