The Texas Almanac for 1868 Page: 43
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appears, also, that some other names were omitted in our previous list, taken
from the company rolls, such as John M. Wade, John W. Winters, James
Winters, Tob Collard, James Collard, and some others not now recollected by
Mr. Taylor. We shall be glad to supply all omissions as soon-as properly
informed of them.
PITRSUIT OF SANTA. ANNA AND HIS CAVALRY AFTER THEY
HAD COMMENCED THEIR FLIGHT FROM THE BATTLE-
FIELD OF SAN JACINTO.
BY WILLIAM s. TAYLOR.
WHEN the Mexicafis commenced retreating from their breast-works at San
Jacinto, on the evening of the 21st of April, 1836, Santa Anna, General Cos,
and other officers of note among them hastened to join the forces at the old
Fort Bend, on the Brazos, under Fillisola. , Santa Anna and all his cavalry
but four attempted their retreat by way of Vince's Bridge, not knowing that
this bridge had been destroyed by Deaf Smith, on the morning of that-day.
About the time this retreat of the Mexicans was commenced, Captain Karnes
called for all those having loaded guns to follow him in the pursuit. The
following are the names of all I can recollect of those who responded to
Karnes's call, namely, James Cook, Washington Secrest, Field. Secrest, Deaf'
Smith, Shell Tunage, Thomas Robbins, John Robbins, Elisha Clapp, Thomas
House, W. T. C. Pierce. These eleven are now all dead, to my certain know-
ledge. I also recollect a Dr. Alsbury, and a man who had escaped from Fan-
nin's massacre, but do not know whether they are alive or not, as I have not
seen them since the summer of 1836. I was also of the number, making
fourteen, with Captain Karnes. I think there were four more, making eighteen
in all, but I do not recollect the names of these four.. The distance of Vince's
Bridge from the battle-ground was about four miles, over a very wet, muddy
plain, and, for perhaps a quarter of a mile, knee-deep to our horses in mud
and water. Two or three miles from the battle-ground, some three or four
Mexicans struck off, (leaving the balance,) in the open prairie, in the-direction
of the head of Vince's Bayou. Elisha Clapp, having a very fleet horse, start-
ed in.pursuit of them, and soon coming up with them, fired his rifle,'killing
one of them. The others, seeing that his rifle was discharged, turned to give
him battle, when Clapp was compelled to retreat, not being able to cope with
three Mexicans, with ao empty gun. The one nearest to him discharged his
escopet at him, but the ball missed him, though, judging from the whis-
tling, Clapp afterward told me he thought it passed within six inches of his
head. But he returned to us unhurt. W{nnued our pursuit to
Vince's gee eicans od
their escape to Fillisola'p army on the Brazos, where they reported to
that Houston's army was four thousand strong, and that Santa Anna and all
the army were either killed or taken prisoners. While pursuing the Mex-
icans on the road to Vince's Bridge, we overtook numbers, their horses being
too tired to enable them to escape; and as we overtook them, we felt compelled
to kill them, and did so, though on their knees crying for quarter, and saying,
"Me no Alamo-me no la Bahia," meaning that they were not in either of those
horrible massacres. As there were but some fifteen or eighteen of us, and
some sixty of the Mexicans we were pursuing,' besides Santa Anna, Cos, and
several other officers, we saw it was impossible for us to take prisoners, and
we had but little disposition to do so, knowing they had slaughtered so many
of Fannin's men in cold blood, after they had surrendered as prisoners of war,
under solemn treaty stipulations that they should be sent safely to New-
Orleans., For about half the distance from the battle-ground to Vince's
Bridge; the road was strewed, every few hundred yards, with dead Mexicans,
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The Galveston News. The Texas Almanac for 1868, book, December 1867; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123773/m1/47/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.