Freestone County, Texas
History - 1830s




New York American newspaper
May 27, 1836 edition

[The column states:
Monday Evening, May 23, 1836]

 The accounts which we annex, from the New Orleans papers, would seem to leave
no room for doubt that the Mexican forces have been signally defeated by Gen.
Houston, and that SantaAnna himself is a prisoner. The various rumors are
consistent as to the place of the battle, on the banks of the San Jacinto, a 
small stream that runs into Galveston bay--and from which a letter of Gen. 
Houston of 20th, which has been extensively published, is date.  We do not
suppose the main army of Mexico was engaged but that SantaAnna was with an
advance guard, which probably was entirely routed or captured.  The result is
certainly one of the most remarkable in the annuals of war, and must lead, we
take it for granted, to the Independence of Texas.  If so, we trust it will be
a real Independence, alike of Mexico and of these United States; and that 
having thus fought for Liberty, the Texians will prove their sincerity both by
abolishing the atrocious traffic in slaves with the U. States--a traffic which
if carried on with any other part of the world, the proclamation of President
Burnett denounces as an outrage on human rights and human laws -- an by 
inhibiting slavery within their borders.
 Then indeed this land may become the paradise which its soil and climate fit it
to be, and the Texians may look with hope to the protection of Heaven, and with 
confidence to the good will of all freemen.
 It is said an effort will be made today in the Senate of the U.S. to induce
that body to recognize or at least to consider the expediency of recognizing
Texas.  We take it for granted Congress will adhere to the safe policy of this
nation heretofore--that of first ascertaining the existence and capacity for
self protection of a government de facto, before they undertake to recognize
it.
  [Here follow the accounts published in our last number, headed "Later from 
 Texas"]
...

   The Texas victory is thus farther confirmed by accounts in the "New Orleans
Bee" of 10th inst.
               NEW ORLEANS, May 10
   Texas -- There can now be no doubt of the capture of Santa Anna and the 
other Mexican officers, whose names were published yesterday -- as the account
is confirmed by respectable persons who have been in the Texian army, or have
received private letters from Texas.
   The loss on the part of the Texians was 7 killed, 23 wounded--among the
former were Lieutenants Lamb and Hale, and Dr. Motley; among the latter is
General Samuel Houston, who was wounded in the ancle [ankle], and had two 
horses shot under him -- Captains M. Baker and Billingsby, with Lieutenant Neil
are also among the wounded.
   The contest was a regular battle, the Mexicans having maneuvered for some 
time previous; and the Texians having positively demanded Houston to fight. The
latter consequently ordered an advanced guard against the Mexicians; yet 
enjoined them not to attack, but retreat, to bring the enemy towards the marsh
into a defile.  This being accomplished on the afternoon of the 21st ult., 
Houston immediately flanked the enemy and attacked him front and rear, on both
sides---opened first with artillery, which, on the second fire, dispersed to
atoms the powder boxes of the Mexicans; and then with rifles, whose effects are
seldom useless in the hands of such as then used them.  The Texians then 
poured infro their ambushment with hatchets, etc and so consummated the work of
destruction, leaving nearly 500 killed on the plains.  This lasted about 15 
minutes, when Santa Anna ordered a retreat, but after he left his carriage and
mounted on horseback to secure his flight, he was betrayed by some of his own
officers.  The real Simon Pure is therefore the victim of the treachery of his 
own officers, who appeared to have urged him on to this battle and then betrayed
him, nearly as much as he is of the well-laid plans of Houston.
  But this contest cannot terminate the war in Texas.  There are still nearly 
3000 Mexicans there under the orders of Generals Ardrade, Urrea, and Sesma; and
about 5000 more at Saltillo, ready to enter.  The Texian war is national in 
Mexico; and Santa Anna continued his power solely by directing the popular fury
against Texas.  His death would give general satisfaction through the Mexican
republic; and the Texian war will enable some other bravo to rise into power
in Mexico--[Bee]