Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/89

Rh {{hwe|stituted}|nstituted}} to ascertain if the requisite materials were at command. The inquiring officers reported that they could construct the bridge if allowed to tear down a neighboring house. Gen. Houston replied to the report, "We will postpone it awhile, at all events." Deaf Smith was ordered to report to him, with a companion; going with them to the spot where the axes had been deposited that morning. Taking and examining the axes carefully, he handed the trusty men each an axe, saying: " Now, my friends, take these axes; mount, and make the best of your way to Vince's Bridge; cut it down and burn it up, and come back like eagles, or you will be too late for the day." Both armies had crossed this bridge in their march to the battle-ground of San Jacinto. To cut it down was to cut off all chance of escape for the vanquished.

"This," in his droll way, said Deaf Smith, "looks a good deal like fight, General." There was apparently a wide difference between the calculations of some of Houston's officers and himself as to the results of the day. They, thinking of probable defeat, thought of building a new bridge to facilitate escape; he, determined that his army should come off victorious that day, or leave their bodies on the field, ordered the only bridge in the neighborhood to be cut down and burned up.

Houston commenced preparations for battle, as events had taken the course which he had expected and desired. It was 3 o'clock in the afternoon; the Mexicans, concealed behind their breastworks, manifested no disposition to come to an engagement. The plan of attack may be best understood from the language of Gen. Houston's official report after the battle was over: " The ist Regiment, under the command of Col, Sydney Sherman, formed the left wing of the army. The artillery, under the special command of Col. George W. Hockley, Inspector-General, was placed on the right of the ist Regiment, and four companies of infantry, under the command of Lieut. -Col. Henry Millard, sustained the artillery upon the right. Our cavalry, sixty-one in number, commanded by Col. Mirabeau B. Lamar, placed on our extreme right, completed our line. Our cavalry was first dispatched to the front of the enemy's left, for the purpose of attracting their notice, whilst an extensive island of timber afforded us an opportunity of concentrating our forces and displaying from that point agreeably to