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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1836

our forces for the purpose of marching upon him. He has a re- inforcement of about 1,000 men upon the Brazos, about forty miles from here. A few hours more will decide the fate of our army: and what an astonishing fact it is, that, at the very moment when the fate of your wives, your children, your homes, your country, and all that is dear to a freeman, are suspended upon the issue of one battle, not one-fourth of the people [men] of Texas are in the army! Are you Americans? are you freemen? If you are, prove your blood and birth by rallying at once to your country's standard! Your general is at the head of a brave and chivalrous band, and throws himself, sword in hand, into the breach, to save his country, and vindicate her rights. Enthusiasm prevails in the army; but I look around and see that many, very many, whom I anticipated would be first in the field, are not h~. . Rise up at once, concentrate, and march to the field ! a vigorous effort and the country is safe! A different course disgraces and ruins you; and what is life worth with the loss of liberty? May I never survive it! Thomas J. Rusk, Secretary of War. April 19, 1836. We view ourselves on the eve of battle. We are nerved for the contest, and must conquer or perish. It is vain to look for present aid: none is at hand. We must now act or abandon all hope ! Rally to the standard, and be no longer the scoff of mer- cenary tongues! Be men, be freemen, that your children may bless their fathers' names ! Colonel Rusk is with me, and I am rejoiced at it. The country will be the gainer, and myself the beneficiary. Liberty and our country! SAM HOUSTON, Commander-in-Chief 1 Morphis, History of Texas, 259-261. OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINT0 1 Headquarters of the Army, San Jacinto, April 25, 1836. To David G. Burnet, President of the Republic of Texas: Sir: I regret extremely that my situation, since the battle of the 21st, has been such as to prevent my rendering you my official report of the same previous to this time. J have the honor to inform you that, on the evening of the 18th inst., after a forced march of fifty-five miles, which was effected in two days and a half, the army arrived opposite Harrisburg.