WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
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than seventy or eighty yards from the enemy's breast- works. About this time, the enemy gave way, and the route became general. My recollections of the battle of San Jacinto. February 28, 1858Y• Ben. McCulloch." Now, I merely read these documents to show the refutation which is given to these calumnies, and that they may become a record, and placed in the annals of the country while I am living, and not leave it to other hands to finish a work which Providence has accorded to me. I will, in concluding this point, read the testi- mony of General Rusk, to show that the Commander-in-chief remained on the field, and continued in pursuit of the enemy until his horse, pierced with five balls, fell under him. Extract from a letter of General Rusk to William B. Stout, relative to the conduct of General Houston, in the battle of San Jacinto: "As to the halt spoken of, I know of none ordered by General Houston, except at the bog, or quagmire, after the Mexicans were defeated and in full retreat. At that point, I met with the general for the first time after he was wounded. The men were entangled and in confusion; the General ordered a halt to form the men." From this time no hostile gun was fired. The last detachment of the enemy immediately surrendered. This was not in the onset of the action; but when it was over. Mr. Sherman displayed his prudence in the onset of the action, and secured his person beyond the reach of danger. Thus far, Mr. President, I have referred to documentary evidence that may be relied on, to establish the conduct of the general, which may be found in one of the most authentic histories of Texas; one written with good taste, suc- cint and instructing in its character, and giving a good idea of the object for which it was designed-Yoakum's History of Texas. It is a work with which the Commander-in-chief had no .connec- tion, never having seen a page of it in manuscript in his life. His object has not been to write history, or to supervise its com- position. His only object has been to vindicate himself against the calumnies that have been brought forward, and got up re- cently, for the purpose not only of attacking him, but assailing every man who was friendly to him, and that by individuals whose malignity has been bitter; whose hostility to the cause of Texas, and to everything like the establishment of good govern- ment, has been notorious and proverbial in Texas. The autho1· of
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