Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/664

 that it was printed at the "Institution for the Deaf and Dumb " established in Texas — an index of the advance of State institutions at the extreme south-west of the American Union,

On the 14th of April, 1836, His Excellency the President ordered his Staff to prepare to march, with only one skiff, and leaving his own and the officers' baggage with General Ramirez y Sesma, who was instructed to remain at the crossing of the Brazos, whither we expected to return within three days.

On the 13th the (lank companies of the Battalions of Matamoros, Aldama, Guerrero, Toluca, Mexico, and, I believe, Gaudalajara, had commenced crossing the river with a six-pounder commanded by Lieutenant Ignacio Arrenal, and fifty mounted men of Tampico and Guanajuato, who formed His Excellency's escort. The whole force amounted to 600 men, more or less.

At about 4 o'clock His Excellency started for Harrisburg, with the force above mentioned.

The bottom of the Brazos is a dense and lofty timber over three leagues wide. On reaching the prairie we found a small creek, which offered only one crossing. The infantry passed it comfortably over a large tree which had fallen in such a manner as to form a convenient bridge. The ammunition was passed over by hand. But His Excellency, to avoid delay, ordered the baggage and the commissary stores to remain packed on the mules. However, the water was soon over the pack-saddles, and the opposite bank was steep and slippery. Several mules fell down, interfering with each other, which resulted in a terrible jamming of officers and dragoons, pack-mules and horses. This, together with shouts and curses, completed a scene of wild confusion, which His Excellency witnessed with hearty laughter. Several officers and dragoons fell in the water; the stores were damaged, and two mules were drowned. So much for the precipitation of this march.

The sun had already set when we resumed the march over a muddy prairie. The night was dark; a great many men straggled off, and our piece of artillery bogged at every turn of the wheel. Such -was our condition, when, at about 9 o'clock. His Excellency ordered a halt in a small grove, where we passed the night without water.

On the 15th, at 8 o'clock, most of the stragglers having joined, we started again.

At about noon we reached a plantation abundantly supplied with corn, meal, sheep, and hogs; it had a good garden and a fine cotton-gin. We halted to refresh men and beasts.

At 3 o'clock, after having set fire to the dwelling and gin-houses, we resumed our march. Here His Excellency started ahead with his Staff and escort, leaving General Castrillon in command of the infantry. We traveled, at a brisk trot, at least ten leagues without halting, until we reached the vicinity of Harrisburg at about 11 o'clock at night. His Excellency,