Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/120

, Dr. Ewing, came on board, the Secretary of War told Gen. Houston that he would be discharged from the service if he accompanied Gen. Houston. When told this, Gen. Houston said to Dr. Ewing, "I am sorry, my dear fellow, for I have nothing to promise you in the future, and you know I am poor; so you had better not incur the displeasure of the new Secretary of War."

The surgeon magnanimously followed his General, refusing to desert a friend or a brave man in the hour of need, although he was immediately dismissed from the army. Santa Anna wept when he was told that Gen. Houston was not to be a passenger, but when he saw him brought aboard he ran forward to him and embraced him with sincere joy. From the time of his transfer to the custody of the Cabinet, the Mexican president had not been allowed to pay his customary morning visit to his humane and courteous captor, but was subjected to the irritating and humiliating surveillance of the Cabinet. It was a source of severe pain and mortification to the captive General to be subjected to an unnecessary and indelicate severity, which Santa Anna himself characterized by a harsher term.

Gen. Houston was waited upon on the arrival of the boat at Galveston Island, where at that time there was not a framed house, by some volunteers who had just arrived from the United States, and offered any aid in their power for his comfort or honor. On this occasion, as on all others, he showed how well strict regard for law and order had fitted him to govern, and how easy it is for a really great man to exhibit magnanimity to his opponents. He exhorted these ambitious and brave men to render obedience to the authorities of the country, and not dishonor themselves by any disrespect to the Government, being assured that by honoring the ranks they would be qualified for the highest rights of citizenship. The scene witnessed when Gen. Houston parted with the army was extremely touching. Too feeble to speak, he wrote a touching address, which was read as "camp orders," as follows: ", San Jacinto, May 5, 1836.

":—Circumstances connected with the battle of the 21st render our separation, for the present, unavoidable. I need not express to you the many painful sensations which that necessity inflicts upon me. I am solaced, however, by the hope that we shall soon be reunited in the great cause of Liberty. Brigadier-General Rusk is appointed to command the army for the present. I confide in his valor, his patriotism, his wisdom. His conduct in the battle of San Jacinto was sufficient to ensure your confidence and regard.

"The enemy, though retreating, are still within the limits of Texas; their situation being known to you, you can not be taken by surprise. Discipline and subordination will render you invincible. Your valor and heroism have proved you unrivalled. Let not contempt for the enemy throw you off your guard.