The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-05-16


massacre at the Alamo March G, 1886, and
the slaughter of Col J. W. Fannin and $50
Of his men near Goliad March q. These
affairs led to the abandonment Of the line
of San Antonio river by the Texan troops.
Gen. Houston, who, after lapse had been
restored to the general command of the
Texan army, had previously ordered this
course, but his plans had been frustrated.
When the news of Col. Fannin's surrender
reached him, on the 9th of March, he was
on the east bank of the Colorado with
q. force of about COO men. Santa Anna
had begun his march from the San An
tonic eastward in several columns, and
in person led a column that crossed the
Guadalupe at Gonzales and proceeded
eastward toward Houston's position.
Another Mexican division was moving
eastward on the south Of Santa Annals
route, and another on the north. Houston
retired before Santa Anna to the Brazos
and then to the San Jacinto. His object
was to divide the Mexicans and whip the
columns in detail. Fortunately the north
ern Mexican column got bewildered in the
forest, and assembled the Colorado instead
Of crossing it to overrun eastern Texas.
The southern column was delayed by high
water and did not cross the Brazos. This
left Houston but one army to cope with,
but that outnumbered him two to one.
Besides, the whole country in front of the
Mexicans was in a state of alarm. and the
inhabitants, fleeing eastward at the APP
proach of the invaders, terrified their fell
low citizens, and men whom Houston want
ed in his ranks to fight were engaged in
plotting their families to places Of safety.
Santa Anna crossed the Brazos at San
Felipe on the It'll of April, and Houston on
learning this ordered all Texan troops on
that river to ioin him at Harrisburg, on
the San Jacinto. Harrisburg had become
the seat of government of Texas, and Santa
Anna marched upon it and destroyed it be-
fore Houston's arrival. From Harrisburg
the Mexicans moved southwark toward
New Washington, and had entered a re-
gion where at that season Of the year there
was but one practicable route to move an
army. In other words, Santa Anna must
press onward across the San Jacinto to
eastern Texas or return and meet Houston,
who was behind him, and between him and
the Brazos and his supporting columns.
On the 10Th Of April Houston left Harris
burg, intending by rapid march to reach
Lynch's ferry at the mouth Of the San ia
cinto ahead of Santa Anna, and there give
battle. He had picked up re-enforcements
that swelled his army to 800 men, and had
also received two six-pounders, called the
Twin Sisters" that had been sent by
some friendly people Of Cincinnati to aid
the Texan cause.
On the Goth Houston went into camp on
the right bank Of Buffalo bayou, one mile
from the ferry that Santa Anna was aim
ing to reach. His position was screened
by a fringe of timber parallel to the bank
of the bayou. Reconnaissance soon de-
veloped the fact that the Mexican army lay
encamped beyond the timber and was pre-
pairing to cross at the ferry. Some Skin
mishing took place during the latter part
of the day, and at night the Mexicans
began to fortify Their position was crit
ical in the extreme, for marsh extended
along their right and rear, and the Texans
could compel them to fight for a roadway
should they attempt either to advance or
to return whence they came. Some of
Houston's officers wished to move to the
attack at once, but Houston was not ready.
Tomorrow" said he, ~ will conquer,
slaughter and put to fight the entire Mex
lean army, and it shall not cost me dozen
of my brave men"
Yet for all his outward confidence the
situation with him was desperate in view
of his numbers. Santa Anna had ], 800 well
disciplined veterans, while many of the
Texans were raw soldiers. Houston had
his back to the impossible bayou, and
disaster on either flank would leave him
but one route Of escape. At O'Clock
on the 2lst small Mexican force came into
view on the main road and moved toward
Santa Annals camp. For fear that this
movement might discourage his men by
giving the impression that re-enforcements
were coming to support the enemy, Hous-
ton spread the report among his followers
that Santa Anna was countermarehing a
body of troops in order to magnify his