WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1855
189
was a council of war called for. "well, said he, gentlemen, you may have a council of war"; tho' he had his mind made up to take the responsibility and attack the enemy in his position. However, he kept his own secrets, being well apprised that a combination existed against him among the officers. Sherman wanted to be commander, Burleson wanted it, Baker wanted it, Lamar wanted it. Colonel Hockley told him that he heard one Colonel say to another Colonel: "The General won't fight." "Did he say so, Colonel?" says I. "Yes, General, he did." "Well, Hockley, they will see presently." The council of war met. "Well," says he, (General H.) "gentlemen, make your proposi- tions." The proposition was made to attack the enemy in his position. Major Wells, Jo. Bennett and himself were in favor of the proposition. Sherman, Burleson, Lamar and all the others were opposed to it. But he had resolved to attack the enemy in his position, before the council met. He then called Deaf Smith to him and told him to take an axe and cut down Vince's Bridge, in order to prevent any retreat or escape. It was proposed to throw a Bridge across the Bayou, in case of disaster, to have a way of escape. He suggested the impossibility of getting timber. It was thought that they might make a Bridge of Gen. Zavalla's house, but he allowed no such attempt to be made. After the men had taken refreshments, the rolls were called and it was found that a good many men had sore feet, and some were sick and had pale faces. After deducting these, we had only 540 effective men. The order of battle was arranged, and the line of march taken up to make the attack upon the enemy in. his fortified position. The army marched till they came in gun-shot of the enemy's camp, when the fire commenced from the enemy's guns. In a short time he was himself wounded and had his horse shot through the kidneys. He ·ordered a charge which was made with such rapidity that the Mexicans fled in perfect consternation. He kept on his saddle all the time encouraging the pursuit, until his horse fell dead under him, and he would have fallen himself, but was caught by one of his friends and borne to a place where he could be laid down. Just as the Battle commenced, deaf Smith came back and informed him that he had cut down the bridge. He ordered him to go along the lines and to proclaim the fact, and to say that no reinforcements had been received.
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