315
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
remained there for a number of days. The general had taken every precaution possible to prevent the enemy from passing the Brazos below. He had ordered every craft to be destroyed on the river. He knew that the enemy could not have constructed rafts and crossed; but, by a ruse, they obtained the only boat that was in that part of the country where a command was stationed. They came and spoke English. The boat was sent over, and the Mexicans surprised the boatmen and took possession of it. Those on the east side of the river retreated, and thus Santa Anna obtained an opportunity of transporting his artillery and army across the Brazos. The general anticipated that something of the kind must have taken place, because his intelligence from San Felipe was, that all was quiet there. The enemy had kept up a canonade on the position across the river, where over one hundred men were stationed. The encampment on the. Brazos was the point at which the first piece of artillery was ever received by the army. They were without munitions; old horse- shoes, and all pieces of iron that could be procured had to be cut up; various things were to be provided ; there were no cart- ridges, and but few balls. Two small six-pounders, presented by the magnanimity of the people of Cincinnati, and subsequently called the "twin sisters,'' were the first pieces of artillery that were used in Texas. From thence, the march commencecl at Donoho's, three miles from Groce's. It had required several days to cross the Brazos with the horses and wagons. General Rusk had arrived in camp on the 4th of April. He was then Secretary of War-Colonel Rusk-and as a friend of the Commander-in-chief, he was received. He was superseded, and Mr. Thomas was acting Secretary of War. He remained with the army. The Commander-in-chief camped three miles from the Brazos timber, and with unusual vigilance preserved the forces together, only a few deserting. They were then east of the Brazos, and the settlements were east of them. He remained only that night. The road from San Felipe, situated below the army on the Brazos, led to eastern Texas or the Sabine. The road to Harrisburg crossed it at right angles going south. The general had provided a guide acquainted with the country, as it was a portion in which he had never been. The morning came. Arrangements were made early. Some embarrassments arose for want of animals for artillery; but soon they were in readiness, and as the troops filed out in the direction of Harris- burg, without an intimation being given to any one, two com- panies that had been stationed at San Felipe, and below that,
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