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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1857
457
seven hundred strong to march, besides the Camp Guard. But we go to Conquest. It is wisdom growing out of necessity to meet and fight the enemy now. Every consideration forces it. The troops are in fine spirits, and ·now is the time for action. We will use our best efforts to fight the enemy to such advan- tage as to ensure victory, though the odds are greatly against us. I leave the result in the hands of an all wise God, and I rely confidently on his Providence. My country will do justice to those who serve her. The right for which we fight, will be secured, and Texas shall be free." SAM HOUSTON, Com-in-Chief. "P. S. Col. Rusk is in the field." This letter was prophetical of the result of the battle. The General was satisfied from events on the 20th, that the enemy could be beaten, and hence his determination to attack them on the 21st as indicated by his early preparation: destroy the bridge, which afforded the only chance of escape for either army. Nothing could change his conviction of the wisdom of fighting them immediately, yet he was willing to amu~e busy heroes with their floating bridges and councils of war until he thought fit to order the attack; which occurred at 3 o'clock, P. M. Previous to giving my promised explanation of the order to "Halt," I must be permitted to inquire into the character of my bitter accusers. General Sherman, in his apology for assailing me, says, "but I have always felt that a different appeal would have been proper between us as soldiers." Now, I must in jus- tice to the General, relate one fact, which evinces much discre- tion on his part, and shows that he has considered "discretion the better part of valor." Colonel Joseph L. Bennett, than whom no braver man ever walked the soil of Texas, who has served in various campaigns, as well as in the Congress of the Republic, addressed a letter to me in relation to the conduct of Col. Sher- man during the battle of San Jacinto, in which he charges the Colonel with unmitigated cowardice; of which I know Col. Sher- man was apprised by Gen Hugh McLeod who called upon me in 1842, as he said at the instance of Gen Sherman, and requested a copy of the letter, which was cheerfully furnished him. This was the last "appeal" that I ever heard from Gen. Sherman, until his present claim to soldiership.-Years elapsed during the life- time of Colonel Bennett, and the General remained quiescent under the charge. Now, who will ce1·tify for Gen Sherman, either as to his veracity, or his soldiership? Mr. Lamar I will dismiss as the next 1.,olunteer Certifier. He says, "My own opinion is that he (Houston) was the only coward
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