[3141) [SANTA ANNA to BURNET]
Excellent sir-In the Currio Atlanlico of New Orleans of the 25th of April last, which casually fell into my hands, there are articles which although dictated by a spirit of vengeance with the intention that can easily be perceived, I cannot help noticing the injury that is intended to be done to the mexican army, attributing to it actions of which it is incapable. It is stated in one article, respecting the affair of Col. Fannin, as follows: "That commander according to orders from General Houston, evacuated Goliad on the 19th of March with about 330 to 360 volunteers, and about eighty miles this side of the fort was surrounded by 2000 Santanistas of infantry and cavalry, who after having destroyed his small advanced guard consisting of 28 men, attacked Col Fannin himself between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, but were repulsed with. the loss of 190 men killed, and many wounded, that of the Texians was insignificant. When night came, Fannin continued his march until he found a favorable position where he stopped and entrenched himself. The Santanistas despairing of beating him face to face, had, as customary, recourse to deception, and on the following day, they hoisted a white flag. Fannin then advanced midway between his entrenchments and the camp of the lTaitors, whose commander told him that he knew that his forces were small; that they were in an open prairie without waler and surrounded, and that they would be destroyed, but that he desired to give them quarters, &c. Fannin was deceived and capitulated. According to the capitulation, his men were to give up their arms, rch1rn lo Goliad and remain there some days, until they should be embarked at Copano for N. Orleans. The matter was thus settled, but on the 9th day after their arrival at Goliad, they were told that a vessel was ready to receive them at Copano, and they were marched out between two files of the brave, who at the distance of five miles from Goliad, fired on them and murdered them all, except a Mr. Budden and three others, who ned precipitately to a small bush, where they were lost sight of, and remained there until they were enabled to save themselves, &c." In reply to such assertions, I can say, that the Mexican troops who fought Col. Fannin, did not hoise a white flag, nor did
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