Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-05-14

the slaughter OF Col j. w. Fannln ana o3o
of his men near Golad 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
a force of about COO men. Santa Anna
had begun his march from the San Au-
tonic eastward in several columns, and
in person led IA 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 oyerrun 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 Eel
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 9TH of April, and Houston on
learning this ordered all Texan troops on
that river to Join him ut 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 Houstons arrival From Harrisburg
the Mexicans moved southwark toward
New Washington, and had entered re-
zion 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
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 fringe Of timber parallel TO the banl
of the bayou Reconnaissance soon de
welcomed the fact that the Mexican army lay
encamped beyond the timber and was pre-
parinp to cross at the ferry. Some Skin
mishing took place during the latter par
of the day, and at night the MeXican
began to fortfy. Their position was crit
zeal in the extreme, for a marsh EXTENDED
along their right and rear, and the Texan
could compel them to fight for roadwa.
should they attempt either to advance
to return whence they came. Some o
Uouston's officers wished to move to tn
attack at once but Houston was not ready
s.Tomorrow, said he, II will conquer
slaughter and put to flight the entire Mex
lean army and it shall not cost me doze
OF my brave men"
Yet for all his outward confidence tn
situation with him was desperate in vle'
of his numbers Santa Anna had l,oOO we
disciplined veterans, while many OF th
Texans were raw soldiers. Houston ma
his back to the impossible bayou, and
disaster on either flank would leave hiI
but one route of escape. At o'cloc
on the 2lst a small Mexican force camein
view on the main road and moved towar
Santa Annals camp, For fear that tn
movement might discourage his men !
giving the impression that reinforcement
were coming to support the enemy, Hou
ton spread the report among his follower
that Santa Anna was countermarching
body of troops in order to magnify b