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Our Catholic Heritage -in Texas
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his hated rival Lorenzo de Zavala, Vice President of the provisional government, Santa Anna set out immediately with 750 men, and left Sesma behind with sealed orders for Filisola. He found Harrisburg deserted except for three printers of the Telegra,p/J. and Texas Register, who were nonchalantly going about their business. Asked where the gov- ernment was, they replied that it had just departed by boat for Galveston Island. Santa Anna rushed with his officers to Morgan's Point, only to see his coveted prize gliding downstream out of range. Returning to Harrisburg, he learned that Houston was still at Groce's Place with some 800 men, and was planning to retreat by way of Lynchburg to the Trinity. For three days Santa Anna had had Houston actually in his rear. Without a moment's delay Santa Anna set out for Lynchburg, determined to cut the retreat of the fleeing Texans. Harrisburg was set on fire, and orders were dispatched to Filisola to send 500 men immediately. st Houston had, in fact, spent three weeks drilling his troops at Groce's Place. The Texans, disgusted with the tactics of their commander, muttered their suspicions that Houston was afraid to meet the enemy. He finally decided on April 11 to cross to the east side of the Brazos. He completed the operation in two days with the aid of the famous side-wheeler, the Yelknvstune. His force consisted of about 2,000 men and 200 horses. At this time he received from Cincinnati the two cannon, the well-known "Twin Sisters." Not until April 17 did he move towards Harrisburg, where he arrived the next day just as Santa Anna had turned north in search of him. In spite of the proximity, neither knew the whereabouts of the other. But that evening the Texans captured ·two Mexican couriers carrying important dispatches. Houston learned the plans of Santa Anna, the strength of his force, and the disposition of the Mexican army. The Texan army, now reduced to some 1,100 men, pitched camp oppo- site Harrisburg on April 18. The next morning both Houston and General Rusk addressed the troops and promised them an early op- portunity to avenge the Alamo and Goliad. Leaving the baggage, some 200 sick men, and a small guard under Major McNut in camp, Houston went down the left bank of Buffalo Bayou, crossed below Sim's Bayou, and then made his way to the San Jacinto across Vince's bridge. When they resumed their march, early on April 20, scouts reported they had contacted the advance guard of the Mexican army on its way back from New Washington. 59 Castaiieda, op. cit., 7 5-76.
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