Life and select literary remains of Sam Houston of Texas/Chapter 10
CHAPTER X.
The Commander-in-Chief awoke the next morning after the battle of San Jacinto and asked, "Are we really victors, or is it only my dream?" He could hardly believe that the battle for Independence had been fought and won. Only seven Texans had lost their lives, and less than thirty had been wounded. Seven hundred soldiers had vanquished nearly three times their number. Six hundred and thirty had perished on the field of battle, and of their number were one general officer, four colonels, two lieutenant-colonels, seven captains, and twelve lieutenants. Large numbers met their death in the morass and bayous. Two hundred and eighty were wounded and eight hundred taken prisoners.
Gen. Houston sent a detachment of men at ten o'clock in the morning to bury the slain. The troops returned and reported that decomposition had taken place so rapidly that it was impossible to execute the order. The greatest surprise was excited. The Mexican prisoners accounted for the rapid decomposition, by resolving it, like the defeat of the previous day, into a malignant blast of destiny.
The Texans, meantime, during the day were scouring the prairie, bringing in prisoners. Such as had not been taken the day previous were crawling on their hands and knees through the grass, which was everywhere four or five feet high, endeavoring in this way to effect their escape.
The victors were diligently searching for Santa Anna, the Dictator, who had not been taken. "You will find the Hero of Tampico," said Gen. Houston, "if you find him at all, making his retreat on all fours, and he will be dressed as bad at least as a common soldier. Examine every man you find, closely."
About three o'clock in the afternoon. Lieutenant J. A. Sylvester a volunteer from Cincinnati, Joel W. Robison, now of Fayette Co., John Thompson, and others were riding over the prairie. They espied a man making his way toward Vince's bridge. They pursued him, whereupon he fell down in the grass. Sylvester dashed on in the direction where he fell and his horse came very near trampling upon him. Disguised in a miserable rustic dress, wearing a skin cap, a round jacket, pantaloons of blue domestic cotton, and a pair of coarse soldier's shoes, he sprang to his feet, and without the slightest apparent surprise looked his captor full in the face. His countenance and manners showed that he belonged to a different class from that indicated by his coarse disguise. Beneath his common garb his victors espied a shirt of the finest linen-cambric.
"You are an officer, I perceive, sir?" said his captor, raising his cap politely. "No, soldier," was his reply. He then drew out a letter in Spanish, addressed to Almonte. Seeing that there was no hope of escape, he inquired for Gen. Houston. As the party with the captured Santa Anna rode into the Texan camp past the Mexican prisoners, they cried out with the greatest surprise as they lifted their caps, and exclaimed, "El Presidente."
The news spread rapidly through the camp that the Dictator, Gen. Santa Anna, was a prisoner, and had been taken to Gen. Houston.
Having slept very little during the night, the General was lying on the ground, having fallen into a doze. Santa Anna, coming up behind him, took his hand. Rousing himself and turning over, Houston gazed up into the face of the Mexican. Santa Anna, laying his right hand on his heart, and extending his left arm, said, "I am General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President of the Mexican Republic, and I claim to be your prisoner of war." Houston, pointing to a box, the only seat in the camp, said, "Ah! General Santa Anna, take a seat; I am glad to see you."[1] Then sending for Almonte, who spoke English perfectly, he requested him to act as interpreter. Santa Anna showed by his keen glances around the camp, with his timid expression, the pressure of the sides of his breasts with his two hands, and his half-suppressed groans, that he was suffering severe pain. Gen. T. J. Rusk, who was present, relates a deeply interesting incident which occurred about this time:
"At the time Santa Anna was brought into our camp, I was walking- with young Zavala, son of the noble and venerable Zavala, who distinguished himself as the friend of Texan Independence. We approached him together. Santa Anna recognized young Zavala at once, and advanced to meet him with great apparent cordiality, uttering many expressions of kindness, such as are customary among the Mexicans on such occasions; several of which I remember. Among other things he exclaimed, 'Oh, my friend, my friend! the son of my early friend!' after which, and other exclamations in the same strain, he embraced young Zavala, with high indications of apparent feeling, and I think dropping a tear,
"Young Zavala returned his greeting with that deference which would have been due to his former rank and power; but at the same time, emitting from his countenance an expression I have scarcely seen equalled on any occasion. His look seemed to wither Santa Anna, and staring him full in the face, he replied immediately with great modesty, ' It has been so, sir.' Santa Anna evinced plainly that he was much mortified."
With evident respect and grief, Almonte approached his captive General, who embraced him. In the meantime, Houston, lying on the ground, rested on his elbow. Those who were present at the interview relate the following as the substance of the conversation between the two commanders.
After embracing Almonte and recovering entirely from his embarrassment, Santa Anna, with the air of one born to command, rose and said to General Houston:
"That man may consider himself born to no common destiny who has conquered the Napoleon of the West; and it now remains for him to be generous to the vanquished."
Houston. "You should have remembered that at the Alamo."
Santa Anna. "You must be aware that I was justified in my course by the usages of war. I had summoned a surrender, and they had refused; the place was then taken by storm, and the usages of war justified the slaughter of the vanquished."
Houston. "That was the case once, but it is now obsolete. Such usages among civilized nations have yielded to the influences of humanity."
Santa Anna. "However this may be, I was acting under the orders of my Government."
Houston. "Why, you are the Government of Mexico."
Santa Anna. "I have orders in my possession commanding me so to act."
Houston. "A dictator, sir, has no superior."
Santa Anna. "I have orders, General Houston, from my Government, commanding me to exterminate every man found in arms in the province of Texas, and treat all such as pirates; for they have no government, and are fighting under no recognized flag. This will account for the positive orders of my Government."
Houston. "So far as the first point is concerned, the Texans flatter themselves that they have a Government already, and they will probably be able to make a flag. But if you feel excused for your conduct at San Antonio, you have not the same excuse for the massacre of Col. Fannin's command. They had capitulated on terms proffered by your General; and after the capitulation, they were all perfidiously massacred, without the privilege of even dying with arms in their hands."
It was almost impossible for Houston to restrain his indignation while speaking of the Goliad tragedy. Cold sweat ran off from his brow in streams, while his eye flashed with the fury of a wild beast, as he struggled violently to curb his wrath.
Santa Anna (noticing Houston's excitement), laying his hand on his heart, said, "I declare to you. General, that I was not apprised of the fact that they had capitulated. General Urrea informed me that he had conquered them in battle, and under this impression I ordered their execution."
Houston. "I know, General, that the men had capitulated."
Santa Anna. "Then I was ignorant of it; and after your asseveration I should not have a shadow of a doubt, if it were not that General Urrea had no authority whatever to receive their capitulation. And if the day ever comes that I can get Urrea into my hands, I will execute him for his duplicity in not giving me information of the facts."
The conversation between Houston and Santa Anna was suspended for a time. At Santa Anna's request a small piece of opium was given to him. His marquee and luggage, and the attendance of his aides and servants were ordered for him by Houston, whom he thanked very politely, and said " it would make him very happy, since they were ordered by his captor."
While these orders were in course of execution, General Almonte displayed a disposition to converse with Houston.
Remarking to the victorious General, that he had been highly favored by fortune, he asked why he had not attacked the Mexicans on the first day on which the armies met, and said, "You had reason to suppose we should be reinforced. And yet, if you had risked a battle that day you would have had another story to tell, perhaps, for our men were then ready to fight, and so anxious for the battle to come on, that we could hardly keep them in their ranks. Why did you wait till the next morning. General? "
"Well," replied Houston, " I see I was right. I knew you expected I should bring on the battle that day, and was consequently prepared for it. Now, if I must be questioned by an inferior officer, in the presence of his General, I will say, that was just the reason why I did not fight; besides, I thought there was no use in having two bites at one cherry."
Almonte then made some remark which ill befitted the occasion, and greatly irritated the wounded hero, who said:
"You have come a great way to give us a great deal of trouble, and you have made the sacrifice of the lives of a great many brave men necessary." "Oh!" Almonte replied, flippantly; " what are six or seven hundred men? And, from all accounts, only half a dozen of your brave men have fallen."
Houston replied, "We estimate the lives of our men, I perceive, somewhat higher than you do." Almonte politely changed his tone, as Houston looked sternly at him, and continued; "You talk about reinforcements, sir; it matters not how many reinforcements you have, sir; you never can conquer freemen." Raising himself up and taking an ear of dry corn from his pocket which he had carried for four days, Houston held it up, and said: "Sir, do you ever expect to conquer men who fight for freedom, whose General can march four days with one ear of corn for his rations? " The enthusiasm of the Texan soldiers was stirred up by the sight of the ear of corn. Gathering around the General, they asked him to allow them to divide the ear of corn.
"We'll plant it," they said, "and call it the Houston corn."
"Oh, yes, my brave fellows," said the General smiling, "take it along, if you care anything about it, and divide it among you; give each one a kernel, as far as it will go, take it home to your own fields, where I hope you may long cultivate the noble arts of peace as well as you have shown yourselves masters of the art of war. You have achieved your independence; now see if you can not make as good farmers as you have proved yourselves gallant soldiers. You may not call it Houston corn, but call it San Jacitito corn, for then it will remind you of your own bravery." The corn was distributed. In successive crops, it has been growing ever since, whether planted by the fugitives who returned to the banks of the Sabine, or the dwellers on the rolling prairies or fertile bottoms of the Trinity, the Colorado, or the Brazos.
Santa Anna was interested in the conversation detailed, as its import was made known to him by Almonte. His rage was aroused, and he cursed Almonte for losing the battle. His army was large, perfectly armed and equipped, his officers were skilled, his camp was filled with every luxury. He had been conquered by a band of raw, undisciplined troops, incompletely armed, with officers destitute of most of the necessaries of life. In his mortification he remarked " that this was the first moment that he had ever understood the American character, and that what he had witnessed, convinced him that Americans never could be conquered."
Although Santa Anna's marquee was near the spot where Houston was lying, his trunks were not opened, nor was any portion of his baggage molested. The eyes of the civilized world were upon the hero of San Jacinto. He was the representative of AngloSaxon civilization. His men had been infuriated against the Dictator of Mexico, by the massacres of the Alamo and Goliad; kindred of the martyred victims to liberty were in the conqueror's camp. They longed for revenge; they wished to see Santa Anna expiate his crimes with his blood. The feelings of the soldiers were natural to men in their circumstances. Houston's influence over men, his keen foresight into the future, his thorough appreciation of the exigencies of the hour, his complete knowledge of the world's opinions, all were exhibited in his management of the great State prisoner intrusted to him, in the person of Santa Anna. It required extreme vigilance and superior shrewdness in detecting insubordination, to prevent assassination. Houston detected something wrong in the manner of an officer who had resolved to shoot Santa Anna, and had prepared himself for the work, as he was passing, on the day of the night fixed for the execution of his purpose. And although the commanding General had had no intimation of the design from any quarter, so strong were his convictions as to the settled purpose, that he beckoned to the officer to approach him. He conversed with him, and made him his confidant. He represented what would be the terrible consequences if Santa Anna were assassinated. He expressed his confidence in him to detect any murderous scheme projected, and his reliance on his vigilance. The officer pledged himself to act on his General's suggestion, and declared that Santa Anna should not be assassinated while he remained in the camp. He kept his word, although he afterward stated that at this very time, he had the arms on his person with which he had sworn that he would kill Santa Anna. Numerous were the devices by which Houston maintained discipline over his brave, heroic, although too often wayward and reckless men. His methods were his own, and concealed in his own bosom. The belief became general that Houston was the only man in the world that could have kept the army in subjection, or achieved the independence of Texas, or preserved it after it was won. He treated his prisoner rather as a guest and a gentleman than as a captive, and exercised the keenest vigilance over his safety. His guard was so disposed at night as to include the marquee of Santa Anna, who slept on his camp bed with every comfort he could have had if he had been the victor, while near by, on the earth, on his usual bed in camp, lay Houston, with no respite from the intense agony of his wound. About one inch above the ankle joint, the ball had entered, shattering the bone, and severing the muscles and arteries. Prostrated for months, he was worn down by fever and pain from this wound to the shadow of a man.
The morning after the capture, Santa Anna asked and obtained leave to see Gen. Houston. Elegantly dressed in citizen's garb, he presented himself, tendering a most respectful and cordial greeting to his host, inquiring kindly concerning his health and the condition of his wound. Houston was far differently clad. He wore a plain, old black coat, snuff-colored pantaloons, a black-velvet vest, a fur cap, a worn-out pair of boots, a scimetar of tried metal with a plated scabbard, a gift from Captain Joseph Bonnell, of Fort Jesup. The scimetar was hung about his person by buckskin thongs. Such was his armory and wardrobe. A stranger would have taken the captive for the victor. With his usual courtesy, the Texan commander received his prisoner, who proposed immediately negotiations for his liberty. From the beginning to the end of Santa Anna's capture, Houston was never alone with him a single moment. In accordance with this line of policy, he immediately sent for Gen. Rusk, the Secretary of War, and together they conversed some time with the prisoner. A proposition, written with pencil, was submitted by Santa Anna, which paper Gen. Rusk caused to be translated. The Mexican " President " was informed that no action could be taken on his proposals, as Texas was ruled by a Constitutional Government, whose members had been sent for immediately after the battle. Santa Anna naturally desired to know where the Government was. An express had been dispatched to Galveston to the President, Hon, David G. Burnet, who was supposed to be in that place.
Santa Anna manifested perfect willingness to act with military men, and exhibited great aversion against any negotiations with civilians. Houston and Rusk, immovable in their determinations, would make no terms with Santa Anna, except to receive from him a dispatch, ordering Gen. Filisola to depart immediately with all the Mexican troops, at least as far as Monterey. This order was tendered to Houston, without any intimation to Santa Anna that his life would be spared. Filisola with his command was on the east side of the Brazos. An officer on a fleet Andalusian courser had escaped from the battle-field, succeeded in reaching his camp and gave him the news of the disaster of San Jacinto. When he reached Filisola's headquarters it was night. Consternation spread through the camp, and the soldiers prepared for flight. To light up their passage across the river, the demoralized soldiers fired a large cotton-gin. The Texan guard of 250 soldiers ordered to accompany the dispatch from Santa Anna to Filisola, pressed on by forced marches in pursuit of the rear guard of the Mexican army. Horses, mules, baggage-wagons, and sick soldiers were scattered along the path of the flying division, indicating the great panic under which the retreat had been made. To reach the Colorado, the march was through a low, flat, wet prairie. Overtaken, however, by the pursuers, Filisola received the messengers who bore the flag of truce with every mark of respect, pledging himself to execute without delay Gen. Santa Anna's extreme orders. Asking leave only to take some cattle along the march, his license was stretched far enough to rob every living thing with which he fell in on his way. After his divison commenced their ordered retreat the Texan detachment returned to San Jacinto. Appointing three superior officers to execute his order, Houston ordered that a portion of the spoils should be divided equally among officers and men. The truth requires that incidents should be related bearing on the surrender of the command by Gen. Houston, caused by his wound, and the transfer to others.
Not many days after the victory of San Jacinto, news of which had spread by expresses all over the country, the little steamer Yellow Stone arrived from Galveston bringing the Cabinet of the Constitutional Government. Houston at once surrendered everything into their hands but the money, which had already been divided among his gallant comrades. The Cabinet, although composed of patriotic citizens of eminence, was not personally friendly to Gen. Houston, with one exception, Gen. Thomas J. Rusk, the Secretary of War, who participated in the dangers and victory of the battle of San Jacinto. A proposition from Robert Potter, Secretary of the Navy, assigning many reasons, but alleging no cause, was made to dismiss the wounded, suffering, but victorious hero of San Jacinto from the service. Gen. Rusk, like a magnanimous patriot soldier, as he was, in a spirited manner opposed and defeated the proposition. The Cabinet disapproved of the distribution of the $12,000 among the soldiers, who had no other means of compensation, and had fought only for liberty; but no accusation was brought against the General for this distribution inasmuch as the indignation of every man in the army would have been aroused.
About the release of Santa Anna, Gen. Rusk, the Secretary of War, wrote to Gen. Houston for his views. The following answer was returned:
"I have not the pleasure to know on what basis the Executive Government contemplate the arrangement with Gen. Santa Anna, but I would respectfully suggest, that so far as I have been enabled to give my attention to the subject, the following points should have some weight:
"The recognition of the Independence of Texas should be a sine qua non. The limits of Texas should extend to the Rio Grande, and from the mouth, pursuing the stream to its most north-western source, and from thence north-east to the line of the United States. Indemnity for all losses sustained by Texas during the war. Commissioners to be appointed for ascertaining the fact—one Mexican, one Texan, and one American. The guarantee to be obtained from the United States for the fulfillment of the stipulation on the part of the contending parties. Gen. Santa Anna to be retained as a hostage, with such other officers as the Government may think proper, until they are recognized or ratified by the Mexican Government. Immediate restoration of Texan or Mexican citizens, or those friendly to the cause of Texas, who may have been retained, with their property. Instantaneous withdrawal of all the Mexican troops from the limits of Texas. All property in Texas to be restored, and not molested by the troops or marauders in falling back. Cessation of all hostilities by sea and land. A guarantee for the safety and restoration of Mexican prisoners, so soon as the conditions shall be complied with. Agents to be sent to the United States to obtain the mediation of that Government in the affairs of Mexico and Texas."
From all quarters where the news of the victory had gone volunteers rushed forward. Many brave men, when Houston needed their help, coming by forced marches, failed to reach his camp in time. On account of his wound, the General was helpless, and even if he survived, it was generally believed that he would not be fit for service for many months. In accordance with his desire, and as no other man would have been acceptable. Gen. Rusk was appointed by the Cabinet Brigadier-General to succeed him in the command. Mirabeau B. Lamar was appointed Secretary of War, to fill the vacancy in the Cabinet.
With no intention to preserve unpleasant reminiscences, it is just to state some facts which tortured the feelings, at this time, of the wounded and enfeebled hero.
A Texan soldier in pursuit of the enemy, having captured the noble black stallion ridden by Almonte in battle, presented the horse to the General. The soldiers, when Houston sent him to parade, and to be sold for the benefit of the army, with one voice led him to the General, begged that he would retain him, "hoping that the General would be able to ride him very quickly." But he was not allowed to keep the horse.
As there was no medicine in the camp, no comforts for a wounded man, it was necessary to visit New Orleans to secure such medical aid as would save his life. The steamboat was ready to sail for Galveston, with the Cabinet and Santa Anna and suite on board. Houston applied to the Cabinet for a passage. The application was sternly refused, and it seemed that the Commander-in-Chief was about to be left to die—in sight of the field of San Jacinto. Hearing of the circumstance, the captain of the steamboat declared that his boat should not leave the shore unless it carried Gen. Houston. He took his hands with him, and brought the wounded soldier aboard. A few of his staff accompanied him, but when his Surgeon-General, Dr. Ewing, came on board, the Secretary of War told Gen. Houston that he would be discharged from the service if he accompanied Gen. Houston. When told this, Gen. Houston said to Dr. Ewing, "I am sorry, my dear fellow, for I have nothing to promise you in the future, and you know I am poor; so you had better not incur the displeasure of the new Secretary of War."
The surgeon magnanimously followed his General, refusing to desert a friend or a brave man in the hour of need, although he was immediately dismissed from the army. Santa Anna wept when he was told that Gen. Houston was not to be a passenger, but when he saw him brought aboard he ran forward to him and embraced him with sincere joy. From the time of his transfer to the custody of the Cabinet, the Mexican president had not been allowed to pay his customary morning visit to his humane and courteous captor, but was subjected to the irritating and humiliating surveillance of the Cabinet. It was a source of severe pain and mortification to the captive General to be subjected to an unnecessary and indelicate severity, which Santa Anna himself characterized by a harsher term.
Gen. Houston was waited upon on the arrival of the boat at Galveston Island, where at that time there was not a framed house, by some volunteers who had just arrived from the United States, and offered any aid in their power for his comfort or honor. On this occasion, as on all others, he showed how well strict regard for law and order had fitted him to govern, and how easy it is for a really great man to exhibit magnanimity to his opponents. He exhorted these ambitious and brave men to render obedience to the authorities of the country, and not dishonor themselves by any disrespect to the Government, being assured that by honoring the ranks they would be qualified for the highest rights of citizenship. The scene witnessed when Gen. Houston parted with the army was extremely touching. Too feeble to speak, he wrote a touching address, which was read as "camp orders," as follows:
"Headquarters, San Jacinto, May 5, 1836."Comrades:—Circumstances connected with the battle of the 21st render our separation, for the present, unavoidable. I need not express to you the many painful sensations which that necessity inflicts upon me. I am solaced, however, by the hope that we shall soon be reunited in the great cause of Liberty. Brigadier-General Rusk is appointed to command the army for the present. I confide in his valor, his patriotism, his wisdom. His conduct in the battle of San Jacinto was sufficient to ensure your confidence and regard.
"The enemy, though retreating, are still within the limits of Texas; their situation being known to you, you can not be taken by surprise. Discipline and subordination will render you invincible. Your valor and heroism have proved you unrivalled. Let not contempt for the enemy throw you off your guard. Vigilance is the first duty of a soldier, and glory the proudest reward of his toils.
"You have patiently endured privations, hardships, and difficulties unappalled; you have encountered odds of two to one of the enemy against you, and borne yourselves, in the onset and conflict of battle, in a manner unknown in the annals of modern warfare. While an enemy to your independence remains in Texas the work is incomplete; but when liberty is firmly established by your patience and your valor, it will be fame enough to say, ' I was a member of the army of San Jacinto.'
"In taking leave of my brave comrades in arms I can not suppress the expression of that pride which I so justly feel in having had the honor to command them in person, nor will I withhold the tribute of my warmest admiration and gratitude for the promptness with which my orders were executed, and union maintained through the army. At parting my heart embraces you with gratitude and affection.
"Sam Houston, Commander-in-Chief."
The tears of the brave men fell upon their rifles, on which they were leaning, when this pathetic and eloquent address was read to them. Never were companions in arms more devoted to a chief. Houston applied for a passage for himself and staff on a small war vessel just about to sail from Galveston to New Orleans. The passage was refused.
The General sent for the captain of a little American schooner (the Flora), lying at Galveston, and bound for New Orleans, With him he contracted for passage for himself and staff, to be paid for when he was able, as he had then not one dollar of money to advance. Neither he nor his followers had ever received any compensation from the Government. The fugitive women and children, whose husbands and fathers had been slaughtered at the Alamo, or massacred with Fannin, had received all the funds he had been able to command. As the little schooner was about to set sail, Captain Charles Hawkins, of the Texan Navy, states that Santa Anna asked permission to take leave of General Houston, but was refused; a poor privilege, on account of which the humiliated Mexican president wept. The little schooner had a long and tedious voyage. Arriving at the Balize at night, she was towed up to New Orleans next day. For forty days Gen. Houston had been without medicine or poultices; the shirt he wore furnished bandages for his wounds, the bosom only remained, and part had been given to soldiers more needy than himself. He was supposed to be now in a dying state. In his feebleness he could not even be raised up without fainting. About eighteen miles below New Orleans, in passing the "English Turn," from expresses in waiting it was made known that Houston was on board. This was the first confirmation of the news of the battle of San Jacinto. As the inelligence spread through the city on this memorable Sunday a dense crowd rushed to the levee of the Mississippi River to see the wounded soldier. Col. Wm. Christy, his early devoted friend, with whom he had served as a lieutenant in his youth, had prepared for him every comfort which his situation required. He was eager to grasp the hand of his old comrade, and to extend to him a most cordial welcome. Dr. Kerr, the surgeon who had operated on his wounds about thirty years before, also hastened to the vessel, where Houston was found lying on the deck. He fell upon the wounded hero, and embraced him like a father. Every attention was given him by Drs. Kerr and Cenas, who said that if he had arrived a few hours later his life could not have been saved, as his wound had begun to show the first symptoms of mortification. The vessel was in danger of sinking, because of the great crowd present to look on the victor of San Jacinto. The pier was also so densely thronged that it was a long time before the General could be gotten ashore. An attempt had been unsuccessful to lift him ashore. His torture was so great that it seemed that he would die before it could be done. Feeling that his strength was going, rising on his crutches with a desperate effort, he got over the gunwale himself. Immediately laid upon a litter, he fainted again. Bands of music meantime had come down to the levee and played martial airs while the landing was being effected. Houston, who seemed to be dying, was placed on a cot, and borne through the vast throng to the hospitable mansion of his friend Christy. Here, a mere skeleton of disease and suffering, he found repose.
Remaining two weeks in New Orleans, and although far from being out of danger, he was so anxious to return to Texas that he took passage on a Red River steamer, to Natchitoches. His feeble health could ill endure the fatigue and exposure of the journey. To recover his strength, he was compelled to stop several days. At the first moment he was able to travel, he proceeded to San Augustine, where he remained till he received intelligence that the Cabinet had made a treaty with Santa Anna, and had resolved on his liberation. It was also stated, at the same time, that the enemy was preparing for another campaign. At New Orleans, Natchitoches, and San Augustine, demonstrations of great respect had been made, and dinners offered to him, all of which compliments he declined; but when the report of the advance of the enemy had brought together a vast concourse of people at San Augustine, he was taken to the meeting resting on his crutches, and delivered so effective and arousing an address, that in two days one hundred and sixty men took up their march for the frontier.
About this time news reached the General that the army, then at Coleti, had dispatched Colonels Millard and Wheelock to the Cabinet, to demand that Santa Anna should be delivered into the hands of the soldiers for execution, reproaching the Cabinet for neglect of duty, ordering President Burnet to be arrested and brought to the Texan camp. The following protest against their proceedings was dispatched, by express, immediately by Houston, to the army:
"Ayish Bayou, 26th July, 1836."To the General commanding the Army of Texas:
"Sir:—l have just heard, through a citizen of the army, that it is the intention to remove General Santa Anna to the army, and place him upon his trial. I can not credit this statement; it is obviously contrary to the true policy of Texas. The advantages which his capture presented to us will be destroyed. Disregard, if you will, our national character, and place what construction you please upon the rules of civilized warfare, we are compelled by every principle of humanity and morality, to abstain from every act of passion or inconsideration that is to be unproductive of positive good. Execute Santa Anna, and what will be the fate of the Texans who are held prisoners by the Mexicans—what will be the condition of the North Americans who are residing within the limits of Mexico? Death to them, and confiscation of their property is the least that can be expected. Doubtless torture will be added to the catastrophe, when stimulated by ignorance, fanaticism, and the last expiring struggle of the priesthood for power and dominion. Texas, to be respected, must be considerate, politic, and just in her actions. Santa Anna, living and secured beyond all danger of escape, in the eastern section of Texas (as I first suggested), may be of incalculable advantage to Texas in her present crisis. In cool blood to offer up the living to the manes of the departed, only finds an example in the religion and warfare of savages. Regard for one's departed friends should stimulate us in the hour of battle, and would excuse us in the moment of victory, for partial excesses, at which our calmer feelings of humanity would relent.
"The affairs of Texas connected with General Santa Anna, as President of the RepubHc of Mexico, have become matter of consideration to which the attention of the United States has been called, and for Texas, at this moment, to proceed to extreme measures as to the merits or demerits of General Santa Anna, would be treating that Government with high disrespect, and I would respectfully add, in my opinion it would be incurring the most unfortunate responsibility for Texas.
"I, therefore, Commander-in-Chief of the army of the Republic, do solemnly protest against the trial, sentence, and execution of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President of the Republic of Mexico, until the relations in which we are to stand to the United States shall be ascertained.
"Sam Houston,"Commander-in-Chief of ihe Army."
The effect designed by Houston was produced by this protest. The trial of Santa Anna was postponed; Texas was spared the odium and disgrace which a proceeding so summary and barbarous would have produced. Houston, removing to Nacogdoches, remained there, under the influence of his wound, until the fall of 1836, not idle, but exercising constant vigilance, while the country was excited from a quasi state of martial law.
On the 14th of May, the Cabinet, perceiving that the views officially communicated to General Rusk by General Houston were based on the highest and soundest principles of policy, humanity, and justice, in the main adopted them, and made a treaty with the Mexican President.
On the first of June, President Burnet and his Cabinet were still at Velasco. The Texan schooner Invincible was anchored off the bar, in sight of the town, with Santa Anna and suite on board. Sailing orders had been issued to the vessel to proceed to Vera Cruz. Under these circumstances, Santa Anna wrote the following farewell to the Texan army:
"My Friends: I have been a witness of your courage on the field of battle, and know you to be generous. Rely with confidence on my sincerity, and you shall never have cause to regret the kindness shown me. In returning to my native land, I beg you to receive the sincere thanks of your grateful friend. Farewell.
Aut: "Lopez de Santa Anna."Velasco, 1st June, 1836."
All the circumstances indicate that the Mexican President meant at that time, while feeling that he was a free man, on board of a vessel under sailing orders, faithfully to fulfill the pledge involved in this brief address. Whatever was his subsequent history, he was manifestly in earnest at this period.
Just, however, as the Invincible was sailing, a General arrived at Velasco with several hundred volunteers from the United States. Never having participated in the Texan struggle, with no authority to order even a drum beat in Texas, he declared that the Invincible should not lift her anchor, and that Santa Anna should be tried and executed. General Lamar (in a voluminous paper) had already protested against his release, and popular feeling ran in the same current.
Although the treaty had been signed, sealed, and delivered, and Santa Anna had it with him on board the Invincible, and the vessel was under sailing orders, the President ad interim, yielding to the clamor for a violation of public faith, countermanded the sailing orders, and sent a requisition on board for the Mexican President. Aware from the day of his capture that popular feeling ran high against him, and believing that his life would be in danger among those who would violate a solemn treaty, he resolutely refused to go on shore. The next day the order was repeated, and with similar result.
With several armed men, Gen. Green, on the afternoon of the 3d of Tune," visited the Invincible (Foote, 2d vol., p. 342) for the purpose of bringing off the Dictator, dead or alive. Like a brave man, Santa Anna remonstrated against the breach of faith, and declared that he would die before he left." "All this time," says Gen. Green (Foote, 2d vol., p. 343), "he lay on his back in his berth, and his respiration seemed to be exceedingly difficult." Gen. Green ordered him to be put in irons. "When the irons were brought within his view, the prisoner immediately jumped up, adjusted his collar, put on his hat, and stated his readiness to accompany us." Gen. Green acted in obedience to popular impulses, and the world sympathized with the universal execration of the massacres of the Alamo and Goliad. But the conduct of Santa Anna at least for once in his life, was at this time worthy of admiration. A defenceless prisoner, with a score of bayonets or bowie-knives at his breast, he surrendered at discretion to the violators of a treaty. He was not the first to violate the treaty of the 14th of May.
Of this event, he said:
"I had embarked on the Texan schooner of war, the Invincible, on the first of June, after addressing a short farewell to the Texans, wherein I thanked them for their generous behavior, and offered my eternal gratitude. And I protest (fifthly) for the violence committed on my person, and abuse to which I have been exposed, in being compelled to go ashore, merely because 130 volunteers under the command of Gen. Thomas Green, recently landed on the beach at Velasco, from New Orleans, had with tumults and threats demanded that my person should be placed at their disposal, which took place on the very day the Government received from Gen. Felisola the answer that he had strictly fulfilled what had been stipulated in the treaty Under these circumstances, I appeal to the judgment of civilized nations, to the consciences of the 'citizens who compose the Cabinet, and, above all, to the Supreme Ruler of the destinies of nations, who has placed the existence and happiness of nations on the faith of treaties, and punctual fulfillment of engagements."
Gen. Houston, when informed that the constituted authorities had been compelled to yield to popular clamor, declared, "I would have regarded the faith of the nation under any circumstances, and before the mob should have laid hands on Santa Anna, they should have first drunk of my blood."
But it was now apparent that all hopes of advantage Houston had borrowed from the treaty and release of Santa Anna, were destined to disappointment. Santa Anna's gratitude and sense of honor were the only reliance, as all his obligations had been dissolved by the course taken by his enemies.
Meantime, the Cabinet appointed Gen. Mirabeau B. Lamar Commander-in-Chief of the army, over the heads of Generals Houston and Rusk. The army desired that the hero of San Jacinto should resume command, but were entirely satisfied with Gen. Rusk. Gen. Lamar, having resigned his post as Secretary of War, repaired to the army with his commission, surrounded by his staff. How far the change was acceptable to the army, may be inferred from the fact, that when the nearly i,8oo troops in camp were asked for a demonstration of satisfaction with the new commander, "less than one in eighteen voted for him (Gen. Lamar), and the rest positively refused to serve under him."
On the occasion of the presentation of Gen. T. J. Rusk's portrait in the House of Representatives of Texas, April 1, 1879, Hon. Ashbel Smith eloquently said:
"On the result of the battle on the field of San Jacinto, on the twenty-first of April, 1836, turned the decision of the question whether Texas should become wholly Spanish, for Santa Anna had threatened that he would put to death every man, woman, and child west of the Sabine who would jabber English, and the massacre of the Alamo and of Fannin's command at Goliad, tell how bloodily he was executing his diabolical threat. We are accustomed to look on Santa Anna as a monster of crime. It is a mistake; he was the exponent of the race from Cortez and Pizarro down. As I just said, the question decided on the field of San Jacinto was, whether Texas should become wholly Spanish, with its despotism, religious and political, or a land of free institutions, with a representative government of the people, trial by jury, the habeas corpus, free thought, free speech, free politics, and tree religion. But this solution of the question at San Jacinto has not been restricted to Texas alone; it has drawn with it, Arizona, New Mexico, California, and planted in this vast region American institutions Not a few in the heat of sectional, political jealousies, have affected to consider San Jacinto as a sort of accidental scrimmage, in a big insurrection or pronunciamento, in which the Anglo-Americans had the luck to get the better of the Mexicans. The" contest between Texas and Mexico was war, organized war; it was a campaign in form and in reality, closed by a decisive battle. There were about 1,300 men in the Texan army on the Colorado, — the hope, the sole reliance and defense of the homes, of the wives and children of our people. Against this slender force came rushing, like a torrent, Gen. Santa Anna, with an army of 10,000 men, compact, disciplined, well armed, supplied with an ample military chest, with unbounded confidence in their General, whom they proudly styled the Napoleon of the West. Like wolves infuriated by the smell of fresh blood, the Mexicans were maddened by the gore, still green, of the murdered men of the Alamo and Goliad. Had Houston then and there given battle to Santa Anna, overwhelming numbers must have told; the Texan army crushed, scattered, cut to pieces, what would, alas! have been the fate of the v/omen, with their children fleeing, or attempting in vain to flee, before the squadrons of Santa Anna? But Houston fell back slowly, covering, protecting their escape. Santa Anna crowded on, became confident and careless, extending his invading lines until every part of them was weak, and with his own chosen corps pursuing with forced marches, lest Houston should escape.
Thus he advanced beyond the support of his main army; when Houston and the Texans suddenly faced about, giving battle to this advanced corps of the Mexican commander-in-chief, at San Jacinto, gained a decisive victory, captured Santa Anna himself, ended the campaign, ended the war, and achieved solid independence for Texas. It was no lucky scrimmage, no accidental encounter; it was war, war on scientific principles, culminating in triumphant success; and we here, to-night, are in joyful fruition of this success."
- ↑ As reported by Major M. Austin Bryan, who interpreted before Almonte came up.