The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-20

down in their legs. and wearing round
crown wool hat.
It seemed to me that nearly all the army
were engaged In card playing-poker,
seven up and other games of chance. But
this did not last long az the general is
sued an order putting a stop to II.
In a short while after had sized up tho
general he repaired to headquarters. and
commenced writing. which he did very
rapidly. While thus engaged. firing COM
menced at San Felipe. some miles below.
Our boys at once became FESTIVE and i'm
portuned the general to let them go down
to the river and assist a little squad which
were stationed at San Felipe 10 impede
Santa Anna in crossing the river. General
Houston became annoyed and restless by
being so frequently disturbed. At last,
when his patience became exhausted, he
rose from his seat, stretching himself at
full length, with his right hand extended
aloft with stentorian voice exclaimed
in be id II any Of you shall 60. When
you fight, your general Will fight with you"
While in the bottoms one OF the guard
was caught asleep on his post. was court
martidled and sentenced to be shot A
rough coffin was prepared and a squad
Of six men were detailed to shoot him
Everything was made ready. the soldier
placed in position. sitting on his coffin.
the word of command was gven-make
ready. aim. recover.
The young man went wild with Joy when
he realized he was not shot.
Tn the march from Grace's ferry 10
Harrisburg We stopped one day at farm
house where everything had been aban-
doned by the owner, and the prairie around
was covered with pointer and cattle. Some
OF our soldiers were marching Oh foot and
an idea suggested itself to them. that now
was good time to get pony. We had
about twenty friendly Mexicans with us,
each having his pony capar.soned and rig
ged off in fun Mexican style. A trade was
made with the Mexlcans TO furnish the boys
with pony for each one.
1t was but short while before the Mex
leans had six or eight ponies lassooed and
brought them forward to be delivered.
The general had an intimation OF Shat
was going on and about the TIME the
boys were congratulating each other upon
their good luck he walked up and in hts
usual tragic way exclaimed: Turn these
ponies loose. turn them loose, I say! I'll
be. id II you shall have one OF them,
private property must and shall be re-
spected. he boys we're badly disappoint- |
ed, and instead OF realizing their great de- !
sire of riding, had to chit the grit" again. |
inc same evening, or probably the next. |
we CAME to another farm house, where |
everything had been left in chaos. as usual. |
our comniissary had drawn up some
6eeves, end penned them about twilight. |
Just as We had started our fires, being |
camped in straight line, near the aban-
doned residence, one of the beeves was
shot, and, being added. ran through the
iot fence and being blinded by the wound
and light OF our fires, which had Just be-
gun 70 shine, ran down the line. STAN
| eded the whole army, and at the lower end
ni our camps ran against and fell over a
tigh fence, and was killed by the boys
before he could recover from his fall,
On Monday. the 18th day Of April. 1885,
we arrived at Harrisburg, and there per-
formed the very sad duty OF burying Hunt
er, The second lieutenant OF Captain Dry-
ants company. In the morning OF that
lay Deaf Smith brought in a Mexican Of
leer, who was recognized by private,
Who made his escape from the massacre Of
fannins army. as being the officer who
gave the word OF command when Fannin's
men were shot, and he would have killed
ne Officer II he had not been restrained
! ne ether prisoner brought in with the Of
lcer by Deaf Smith was the Mexican mail
'ider
THESE TWO prisoners were placed under a
strong guard. and at night went to the
guards fire TO scr,itinize the prisoners. and
Nhen arrived found several OF the boys
here before me, Thomas j. Rusk was
here, and had tho old Mexican to disrobe
llnself and dress up In a suit OF his
husks) clothes. and he draped himself in
he Mexican's clothes. finishing his ward
'obe with his sombrero.
We had good deal Of innocent fun over
he Mexican courier
Now. Mr.. Editor, this viii close the
ecollections 81 San Jacinto veteran for the
resent A large portion Of what | have
written. In my communications to your
most excellent paper has never been pub
ished before. and Is only known 10 those
'ho participated In that great struggle
or liberty and Independence. The love
nat have for Texas. and being DESTROYS
o disseminate all the facts OF the revolu
ION which ! knew would be read with
vidiiy and interest by my many friends
Who reside in your State, together with 9th
rs, has been d great incentive TO undertake
his work. Respectfully. M
Hardy ". B. Price.