El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1897-04-21
AN OLD LETTER
FOUND AMONG MUSTY PAPERS IN
AKENTUCKY COURT HOUSE.
It tells a Glorious Tale.-HOw Sam
Houston aud his Gallant Band
Defeated Santa Anna.

The,Allen Sentinel published . few
years ago the following letter and its
history from tho pen OF one who parti
cipated in the battle OF San Jacinto:
Mr.. E. G. Walker, who is q con
siderable antiquarian, while rummag
Jog among the old records in the cOuu-
ty clerks office this week found the
ed in the old style, sealed with wax
and directed to Lemuel Swearlngen,
who was county clerk here many years,
and one of the most popular men ever
in Allen county. The letter Is interest
ing from its historical value, being .
detailed description of the decisive
battle between Santa Anna and Gen.
Houston, in Texas war of independence.
BUFFALO BAYOU, Tex, April %, 1886.
Mr.. Lemuel Swearingen, Scottville,
KY.
DEAR BROTHER-Iu my last letter 1
informed you that should start the
next day for Gen. Houston's camp, and
joined him at the Colorado river. The
Mexican army was then encamped on
the opposite side of the river, 5000
strong. Houston's army was, inoludin &
our two companies, 1872 men. The
next day after We joined him he COM
Brazos, fifteen miles above the town of
San Philip DeAustin (which General
Houston had burnt. The second day
after the site Of San Philip was occu-
pied by the Mexican army. Gen.
Houston stationed three companies on
the river opposite town to prevent
their crossing. Santa Ana sens . de-
tachment Of 500 men to ferry below
San Philip called Fort Bend and CROSS
mainder down to the same place and
crossed his whole force.
Santa Anna stationed $500 men at
Fort Bend, and took 500 of his veterans
and one heavy brass nine-pounder and
pushed on to harrisburg on Buffalo
bayou, thirty-fve miles from Fort Bend,
on his way to Galveston leland, the
only port the Texans have in their
Houston Immediately
march for harrisburg, distance of
miles. We got to the bayou |
opposite Harrisburg In the evening and |
Santa Anna had left it that morning |
for Linch's ferry. On the road to |
Galveston next morning our spies
brought in the Mexican mail rider,
and the mail he carried from which we |
army in person. Gen. Houston had
been compelled to give furloughs to
upwards OF two hundred men to go and
carry their families beyond Trinity
liver for security. and one entire com
oAny that was left opposite San Philip
vent homo instead Of joining US on our
march, and when We reached Buffalo
bayou we had 80 men.
Before We got through examining
The letters, our spies that crossed the
bayou, brought In the colonel COM
the Mexican cavalry, with a
etter from Gen. Cass to Santa Anna,
stating that he would start the next
from Fort Bend with $50 men
20 join him at Linch's ferry, on Buffa-
10 bayou. Gen. Houston then knew
hat Santa Anna had gone by way of
New Washington on the bay to destroy
hat place, and then to march up the
osyou to Linch's ferry and join Cass
Ind to march on to Galveston and take
: before Houston could nnd where he
vac, leaving the main body at Fort
Bend to amuss Houston. Gen. Hous-
on rsssed the bayou next day with
so men aud two four=pouRders that
cached US on our march from the
3razos and left the balance to take
are OF our baggage and guard the
amp. We lay in the bushes on the
Dad to watch Cass and the $50 men
which were expected to pass that day,
put did not.
As soon as it became dark we COM
nencsd a rapid march for Linch's fer
y, calculating that Santa Ana would
lot cross the bayou until the arrival Of
Zen. Cass. At2 o'clock q. m, we halt
ID within two miles Of Linch's ferry.
At sunrise on the Goth ultimo, we
ormed our line of battle and proceed
ID to the ferry. When we reached
he ferry we found that Santa Ana had
lot reached there, but was on bis way
10 from Washington. Houston picked
:. - |
heir arms in their places and told
hem to eat their breakfast and be
,eady to receive them. About II o'clock
m, they came in sight drawn up in
Inc, 400 infantry aud 100 horse with
,heir 9 FOUNDER in the center OF the