before another reenforcement could be sent, the fort was stormed, every man fighting until shot down, except two or three, who met death iu another form. On hearing the news of this disaster, Gen. Houston made a precipitate retreat to the Colorado, at the same time ordering Col. Fanning, by express, to retreat also, and join the main army. Unfortunately for the Colonel, and the men under his command, he had a few days before sent Capt. King with his company of Infantry to the Mission Refugio with some carts, to bring away a family and their goods, who had not escaped at the time their neighbors fled for safety from the foe. ·when the Captain rcachecl the Mission, not expecting to meet an enemy, he divided his com- pany, and leaving one division there, with the othet· descended the Mission river ten miles to a house, from which to convey some goods. At his approach he was furiously met by two hundred :Mexican Ranchiers and Indians, and after a severe contest he was com- pelled to make his retreat to the Mission. From this place he sent an express to Col. Fanning for assist- ance. A part of his men, being separated from the rest in the skirmish by swimming the river, made their escape to Goliad. The Colonel immediately despatched Lieut. Col. ·ward, with the Georgia battalion, to his relief. The evening of his junction with King, a part of his men crossed the river, made a sally upon the foe and killed several. During the night, the whole Mex-
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