Chief on the propriety or fighting the enemy and checking his triumphant and destructive advances into the country. Thal officer remained with the army until after the battle of 21st April, and participated in the glory of a victory that will forever perpehiate the remembrance of that day in the annals of Texas. But his presence in the army produced no apparent change in the policy of General Houston, and I believe it can be proved by indisputable evidence, that a retreat lo the river Trinity was intended, until thP. irresistible impulse of public opinion in the army compelled that happy move in en t, which resulled in the memorable battle of San Jacinto. The impetuous gallantry of the subaltern officers and the soldiers had become impatient under the restraints of the Fabian system, as that ruinous policy had been pompously denominated, and they were resolved no longer to endure the taunts and the vain triumphs of an enemy, whose pusilanimity was proverbial, and whose military character had been universally an object of contempt and ridicule in Texas. The rapid approaches of the enemy had compelled the government to abandon Harrisburg, but after a transcienl disper- sion they re-assembled at Galveston Island, which was then considered· the last hope of defence to Texas. The arrival of the army on Buffalo bayou was made know to us about the 19th of April, two days after the enemy were known to have occupied New Washington. On the 17th I had made a very narrow escape, with my family and some others, from the advance guard of the Mexican forces at that point. As soon as we heard at the Island, of the arrival of Gen. Houston and his forces on Buffalo bayou, the steamboat Cayuga was despatched, with a number of volunteers and some provisions for the relief and succor of our brave troops. The Secretary of the Navy was on board this boat. On the 22d or 23d, the steamboat Laura was also despatched with further supplies, and an additional number of volunteers. J\'lr. Hardiman the Secretary of the Treasury was one of those volunteers. This boat sustained some injury to her boiler and was detained some 24 or 30 hours at Red fish bar, after which she proceeded lo the Texian camp. The news of the great batlle did not reach me al the Island until the 26th, owing lo the unclemency of the weather and the miserable quality of the boat in which the messengers made their trip. A special request was made to me by the Secretary of War, that I would repair to the Camp and as soon as the steamer
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