The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-04-20
FOLLOWED A YEARS
CAMPAIGN OF DISASTER
Anniversary IOf Memorable
Fight Celebrated To-Day
in San Antonio.
CBv Associated press.)


San Antonio, Texas. April 20--The
anniversary of the battle OF San Jacin
to, whicl. is observed as religiously IN
Texas as is Patriots Day in New
England. was celebrated in San An
onio today. It was also the concluding
day OF the spring carnival week and
the crowd of visitors was one OF the
largest ever entertained in San An
tonic Patriotic exercises we're held
this morning at Milam's er've In Mil
am square in the presence % safe and
city officials and many other notables.
Thisafternoon the spectacular pageant
the battle OF flowers took place.
The battle Of San Iacintc which de-
cided the fate OF Texas. was begun
Just seyenty-one years ago today. 1t
followed years campaign that was
a succession of disasters and cold
blooded butcheries by Santa Anna's
orders of Texas soldiers. The result
| Of the ba tie and the success of the
| Texans was that foreign rule was
! driven back to the 5ounlaries that
/ now confine the Mexican republic
From tha. battle California came into
the Union. together with that vast ter
/ ritor0 which interyenes between the
Pacific and the plains OF Texas
Santa Anna had just reduced the
| Alamo General Sam Houston fell
back to the Colorado, hoping for re-
endorsements. which he received in
very meagre numbers. He crossed .he
Colorado and feil back 20 The Brazos.
when he h9d the happiness of receiv-
ing the famous Twin Sisters" two G.
Founders. the gift of friends IN Cincin-
natl.
Crossing Buffalo Bayou on April 10
he moved toward San Jacinto. having
some days previously been Joined b.
General Rusk, secretary of war, with
whom he was in perfect accord. Gen
eral Houston Notwithstanding thc
camors against him for falling back
wrote 10 General Rusk from Camp
Mil Creek. March 30: q consultes
none. ! held no council OF war If
err, the blame is mine"
On the morning OF April 20 Genera
HoustoA moved rapidly to poin Q
short distance below the junction Of
Buffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto
river. His force was concealed b>
trees. and the Twin Sisters vel
; posted He was prepared for bat le
would soon be In sight. and scarcely
had this repoyt beel made wheI
Santa Anna opened with his brass 2
! FOUNDER which was promptly answer
ed with telliAg effect by the Twin
Sisters"
Houston ordered a reconnaissance,
in force oa the evening of the goth uIl
der the direction of Colonel Sherman
and short skirmish ensued Tn,
enemy withdrew and took his position
} and the operatlons for that day closed
. During the night Santa Anna threw al
, a rough breastwork of packs and bag
. gage, with open SPACE In the centr
for his l2-pounder
Before the great battle Of the mex
J day began. General Houston ordere,
} Deaf Smith. his trusted and most re
, liable scout TO take two mon aad Gu
J down anu burn Vinces bridge owe
. Sims Bayou. This bridge was the Oh
ly way OF retreat. as the bayou wa
J not fordable. and the banks nearly pcl
5 pendicular The bridge was destro,
! cd and Smith and his two companion
z got back in time TO take part in N
c nght
c Texas was To be lost or won. tha
c day, and Houston did not doubt. a
Q though greatly inferior in numbers [
: the enemy, that he would succeed. Iii
: men were fightiag for home and cour
: Try. and were nerved TO their Gtmos
Y 9ndeavor by Santa Anna's hutchery 4
z the Alamo and Goliad and he had In
g rliei confidence in his men, and the
O IN him.
G The Mexican army was annihiliate
q IN eighteen minutes Remember IN
q Alamoi was the cry OF the Texan
as they receivei the enemy's fire an
: advanced within Dointblank shot b
Tore a piece was discharged rom the
6 lines But two OF General Houston
men were killed and % wounded, n
81 them mortally The enemv's 10,
, was 630 killed and POS wounded Mo,
. man 700 Mexican prisoners We're ta
> en- among them President Cener
santa Anna and the most Of bis on
q GERS Many Of the Mexlcaas Wei
ldllod or drowned at the place whe,
Ninees bridge had been das rove
. f9uf stand Of cnlors and ali the Me,
can camp equippage, stores and la
q sage were taken
~ elsiiteen minutes the battle ",
! Was galped and naiion born. Hon
ton was severely wounded. aud n