Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/76

 their breastworks. A company of eighty men, just arrived in camp from Eastern Texas, were detached with another body to give aid to Capt. Baker, while the commander-in-chief, through expresses, maintained communication with the troops at San Felipe and Fort Bend. The main body of the army at Groces, composing his entire force, did not amount to more than five hundred and twenty men. Five hundred men in addition had been expected from the red lands. They were already in the field, and had marched as far as the banks of the Trinity River. Rumors of Indian hostilities were raised by men more willing to ruin the country than fail in Houston's destruction, and thus reinforcements were prevented from joining him. A fine company, composed of Southern chivalry, under command of Gen. J. A. Quitman, of Natchez, were prevented in this way from participating in the triumphs of San Jacinto. Two days after the victory they arrived in camp. As Houston retreated and Santa Anna advanced, the country behind Houston was entirely depopulated, for the hero of San Jacinto never fell back until interposing the army between the enemy and the helpless, he secured the women and children from danger. The strength, position, and designs of the Mexicans had become apparent to him. In three divisions they were advancing on him,—Santa Anna, leading the centre, was to advance from San Antonio to Gonzales, Beasons, and San Felipe, or Washington and Robbin's Ferry, to Nacogdoches; Gen. Urrea was to march with the Second Division from Goliad, by way of Victoria, to Brazoria and Harrisburg; the Third Division was to advance by Bastrop to Texoxtitlan, on the Brazos, and thence to the Comanche, crossing the Trinity on to Nacogdoches. This plan of campaign displayed Santa Anna's superior ability, revealing to Houston the military skill of his opponent. This entire scheme had to be thwarted within thirty days; if not, Texas would be devastated, and the last hope of the Republic blotted out. How this was to be was discovered by no one but Houston. Suspense painfully possessed the little army. To their bold leader all eyes were anxiously turned. The salvation of Texas depended, under God, on the arm of Houston. The policy of Houston was soon mapped out. The advancing divisions were so much detached that he felt assured that they could be managed in detail, if the expected succors should reach him in time. The best position had been selected on the Brazos, enabling the commanding General to cover a larger extent of territory than any other location at command, and afforded good access to supplies. While encamped at this place he was constantly sending expresses to Eastern Texas, in which, while his true situation was communicated to the Committee of Vigilance and Safety, at