Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1891-05-01

ggA H ivy kHN - dNbNttl pbilCl Ol
&Rg Ely ssextcrm n alton.
'~sisI-f =. ~ 2 and in the course
Of events came the
massacre at the Alamo March d. 1896, and
the slaughter OF Col J. W. Fannin and $3.50
Of his men near Goliad March "a These
snairs led 20 the abandonment Of the line
Of San Antonio river by the Texan troops.
zen. 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. Fa:nin's surrender
reached him. on the 9th OF March. he was
on the east bank of the Colorado with
force of about GOO men. Santa Anna
had begun his march from the San An
tonic eastward In several columns, and
ia person led a column that crossed the
Guadalupe at Gonzales and proceeded
eastward toward Ilouston's position.
Another Mexican division was moving
eastward on the south % Santa Anna's
route, and another on the north Houston
retired before Santa Anna to the Brazos
and then Ia the san Jacinto His object
war to divide the Mexicsns and whip the
columns in detail Fortunately the north
ern Mexican column got bewildered In the
forest, and assembled the Colorado instead
81 crossing IL to oVerrun eastern Texas.
The southern column WAS delayed 10y high
water aud did not cross the Brazos. This
lief; Houston but one army To cope with,
but that outnumbered him two To one.
Besides. the whole country In front of the
Mexican, was In "A state Of alarm, and the
inhabitants, fleeing eastward AZ the ap.
proacb Of the invaders, terrified their fel-
low citizens, and men whom Houston want
cd IA il "a nrl tx.sr, tf.ssl in
plotting their families to places Of safety
Santa Anna crossed the Brazns at san
Felipe ON the 9Th Of April, and Houston on
learning this ordered all Texan troops on
that river To join him az Harrisburg, on
the san JaCiuto Harrisburg had become
the seat OF government Of Texas, and Santa
Anna marched upon IL and destroyed 10 be-
fore lluuston's arrival From Harrisburg
the MeNicans moved southwark toward
New Washington, aud had entered IA re
gion where at that season 81 the year there
was but one practicable route To move an
army la other words, Santa Anna must
press onward across the san Jaclnto 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 ot April Houston left Harris
burg, Intending by rapid march To reach
Iynch's ferry at the mouth 81 the san Js-
cinto ahead Of Santa Anna. Md there give
battle. lie had picked up re-cnforcements
that swclicd his army On 40 men. aud had
also received two six Founders, called the
Twin Sisters" that had been sent by
some friendly people Of Cincinnati 10 aid
the Texan cause.
On the 18th Houston went into camp on
the right bank Of Buffalo bayou, one mile
a.. N.s
ing 10 reach. His position was screened
by 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 10 cross at the ferry. some skir-
mishing took place during the latter part
Of the day. and ut night the MeNcans
began To fortify. Their position was crit
ical in the extreme, for u marsh extended
along their right aud rear, and the Texans
could compel them To fight for a roadway
should they attempt either To advance or
10 return whence they came Some Of
llouston's officers wished to move 10 the
attack at once. but Houston was not ready.
Tomorrow said he, II will conquer,
slaughter and put to flight the entire Mex
lean army, aud 1t shall not cost me a dozen
gf my brave men"
Yet for all his outward confidence the
situation with him WAS desperate i'm view
Of his numbers. Santa Anna had |, 800 we'll
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 y O'Clock
ON the 2lst a small Mexican force came into
view on the main road and moved toward
Santa Anna's camp For fear that this
movement might discourage his men by
giving the impression that re-enforcements
were coming to support the enemy, lIous-
ton spread the report among his followers
that Santa Anna was countermarching a
body of troops in order 10 magnify his