would hasten to the army when they heard of Santa Anna's coming.

The "Runaway Scrape."- News of Mrs. Dickinson's story, of Houston's retreat, of the removal of the seat of government from Washington on the Brazos to Harrisburg, of the onward march of the Mexicans under General Sesma, all caused the people to become terrorstricken. Most of the men, even many of the boys, had joined the army, thus leaving at home only women and children. When Houston marched eastward, these were left with no barrier between them and the Mexican army, who had the reputation of showing mercy to none. Soon the roads going east were thronged with wagons, oxcarts, horses and even cows loaded with women, children and household goods; many colonists trudged on foot. When the news came of the surrender and murder of Fannin's command it seemed that the worst had come. The army had increased to perhaps fourteen hundred, the soldiers were eager for battle, and when their general continued to retreat even after the Colorado was crossed, they bitterly reproached him. In vain Houston appealed to the Texans to stay with the army and thus protect their families. Scores of men left camp to take their loved ones to places of safety and still the caravan of women and children toiled on over rough, muddy roads to the east. They were in danger from Indians, they suffered from hunger and rain, they were poorly clad, sickness and death fell upon them, but still they pressed on eastward.46

Line of Retreat.- From Gonzales Houston marched to Burnam's on the Colorado (near the present La Grange). After a halt of some days and after stopping at smaller points he went to San Felipe on the Brazos. As Captains Baker and Martin refused to retreat fur

ther, he left Captain Baker to guard the crossing of the river at San Felipe and Captain Martin to watch the ford at Fort Bend. At Groce's on the Brazos (near where Hempstead now stands) he camped two weeks. and tried to train the troops, but they were so eager to fight and so uneasy about their wives and children, that they were in little humor for military discipline. On April 14, Houston marched from Groce's and on the 18th came to Harrisburg where he left the sick and disabled with a small force to protect them.

Santa Anna's Movements.- The Mexicans had a strong force in Texas, but they were widely separated. One division was left at San Antonio de Béxar; another was on its way from San Antonio to Nacogdoches; a third was stationed at Victoria; General Sesma was hurried after Houston; Colonel Amat (ah-mät') was ordered later to march by way of Gonzales and join Sesma. Houston had no sooner crossed the Colorado than Sesma with about seven hundred men came up; here it was that the Texas army begged to be led to battle. While Houston was in camp at Groce's, Santa Anna himself took command of Sesma's troops and led them to San Felipe. When he learned that the Texas government had moved its headquarters to Harrisburg, Santa Anna resolved to turn aside from his course, take the town, and make prisoners of all Texas officials, including his enemy, Lorenzo De Zavala. He burned the town, but President Burnet and his party escaped. Santa Anna then passed down to New Washington on Galveston Bay and returned to the San Jacinto River.

Houston Meets the Enemy.- On April 18, two Mexican captives were brought into the Texas camp by Deaf Smith.47 From the despatches they carried, Houston learned what he did not know positively before, that

From the Texas Quarterly, April, 1901

Santa Anna was with the advance force of the enemy, and that he was cut off from the other divisions of his army. Houston felt that the hour had struck and he determined at once to stake all upon a battle. He hurriedly moved on to a point near Lynchburg, opposite the mouth of the San Jacinto. From the report of his scouts he felt sure not many hours would pass before the enemy would come in sight. He selected a suitable place for a camp, mounted the "Twin Sisters" (two cannon presented the Texans by Cincinnati friends), formed his men, and waited. Nor did he have long to wait. Ere the tired soldiers had time to rest, scouts came flying in with news of the approach of Santa Anna. The Mexican bugle soon told the same story. The day (April 20) was marked by a skirmish that gave no advantage to either side; in the evening Santa Anna camped about three-fourths of a mile distant from Houston's army.

April 21.- The day dawned clear and bright that was to decide whether Texas should be free. In the morning a body of men was seen in the distance marching toward the enemy's camp. "Reënforcements for Santal Anna,” passed from lip to lip. It was, indeed, General Cos who had come with four hundred troops to Santa Anna's assistance. The Mexicans threw up a breastwork five feet high of pack-saddles and baggage sacks, leaving an opening in the center for their cannon. A defense of brushwood was also placed in front and on the right. At noon Houston called a council of war; the officers did not agree upon a plan of action, but the majority favored postponing the battle until morning. The soldiers were asked their opinion and voted to fight immediately. Deaf Smith and some trusty companions. were authorized to destroy Vince's bridge. As this

bridge was on the nearest road to the Brazos, its destruction meant a delay of other reënforcements that might be on their way to join Santa Anna.

Battle of San Jacinto.— At three o'clock a parade was ordered. The eight hundred brave Texans learned that they were to be led against Santa Anna's thirteen hundred 48 veteran soldiers. The news was gladly received. Quickly yet quietly preparations were made. The nature of the ground allowed them to form in line of battle without being seen by the enemy.49 In the opposite camp all was silent, as most of the officers were taking their afternoon nap, the general himself being asleep. There may have been little martial music to cheer the band of Texans, but he who looked into those flashing eyes and read the resolution written on those brows and lips, knew they had no need of drum or fife. The Mexicans, though surprised, at once prepared to meet the charge of the advancing columns. As the Americans neared the camp and saw before them the butchers of their friends and loved ones a fierce cry for vengeance burst from every heart, "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" 50 For a second the Mexicans shrank back in terror, but rallying, they poured a raking fire of musketry upon the Texans. Not an instant did Houston's men pause. Before the enemy could reload, the Texans were within pistol-shot; then eight hundred bullets winged their way into the Mexican ranks. Still the Texans paused not. Turning their rifles into war-clubs, they grappled hand to hand with the foe. When the rifles were broken, they drew their pistols, fired, and then hurled them at the enemy. The next instant they took their bowie-knives and, again raising the dread battlecry slaughtered right and left in savage fury. The Mex