The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 62, July 1958 - April, 1959 Page: 507
617 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Santa Anna in Texas: A Mexican Viewpoint
set out to capture his old enemy, Lorenzo de Zavala, now vice
president of the Texas Republic. High waters again impeded the
movement. The problem which confronted the Mexicans on April
14 was no greater than many others, but it was typical. After
leaving Ramirez at the crossing of the Brazos and subsequently
reaching the prairie, Santa Anna's group came upon a small creek.
There was no bridge; the creek had to be forded. Fortunately, the
infantry crossed by means of a large tree lying in a convenient
location. After the ammunition was passed across by this route,
Santa Anna "ordered the baggage and the commissary stores to
remain packed on the mules." Water soon covered the supplies,
and several of the mules and men had difficulty in reaching the
other side, which resulted in confusion, wet supplies, and the
drowning of several mules.67
Following this incident, the group resumed march after dark,
across a muddy prairie. "The night was dark; a great many men
straggled off, and our piece of artillery bogged at every turn of
the wheel," reported Pedro Delgado, an eyewitness. Finally halt-
ing at nine o'clock that evening, the men spent the night without
water. It was the old story of plenty of moisture about, but no
supply of drinking water. By morning the stragglers made their
way to camp, and all moved out.
The new day brought better tidings to the dismayed Mexicans.
"At about noon, we reached a plantation abundantly supplied
with corn, meal, sheep, and hogs; it had a good garden and a fine
cotton gin," wrote Delgado. They rested there until the middle
of the afternoon, then burned the houses, and continued at a
brisk trot for ten leagues without stopping, nearing Harrisburg
before midnight. The pace was so torrid that stragglers continued
in until after 2:0oo 0 P.M. on April 16. Harrisburg was deserted
except for three printers, who informed Santa Anna that the gov-
ernment had left by boat for Galveston Island. The Mexicans
set out to cut off Houston's retreat.
Mud continued to plague the invaders. "Our piece of artillery
bogged at every moment in some hole or ravine," said Delgado.
The troops were fortunate in other ways. At New Washington,
.67Pedro Delgado, Mexican Account of the Battle of San Jacinto (Deer Park,
Texas, 1919), 5; Gabriel Nufiez Ortega, "Diario de un Prisionero de la Guerra de
Texas," Boletin del Archivo General de la Nacidn, IV, 6 (1933), 835.507
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 62, July 1958 - April, 1959, periodical, 1959; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101173/m1/604/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.