icans becoming convinced that they were struggling with demons and not mortals, took to flight. In eighteen or twenty minutes the battle was won, and the Texan forces were in full possession of Santa Anna's camp.

The Pursuit.—The Mexicans fled in every direction while the Texans followed. Many a Mexican fell on his knees, and pleaded: "Me no Alamo; me no Goliad." It is to be feared that they were not always granted mercy, for the Texans had vowed to offer a bloody sacrifice to the memory of the martyred Travis, Bowie, Crockett, Bonham and Fannin. When the Mexican cavalry saw that the day was lost they hurried to Vince's bridge to make their escape; the bridge was gone! There was no time to "head" Vince's bayou; behind them came the dreaded Texans; before them rolled the turbid waters. Death stared them in the face on either

side. Many of them plunged into the muddy bayou. Down went horse and rider to destruction. Toward night Colonel Almonte (äl-mon'-tā) formally surrendered the four or five hundred Mexicans that he had managed to keep together in the retreat.

Results. Houston, in his reports, stated the Texan loss at two killed and twenty-three wounded, six of whom were mortally injured. The Mexicans had six hundred and thirty killed, and seven hundred and thirty taken prisoners; of the prisoners two hundred and eight were wounded. Probably not more than three or four dozen of the enemy escaped. The Texans captured $12,000 in specie, some hundreds of mules and horses, and over a thousand muskets, sabers, and pistols. Among the distinguished prisoners were General Cos, Colonel Almonte, and Santa Anna.

Santa Anna a Prisoner.- On the morning of the 22d, as some privates were out searching for prisoners,

Houston and Santa Anna (From painting by W. H. Huddle)

they captured a Mexican dressed as a common soldier. His manners, and a shirt of the finest material, made them think him an officer. When they took him into camp, the Mexican prisoners, recognizing him, shouted, "The President!" Then it was known that the Dictator was a captive in the hands of the people he had so cruelly wronged. He was led to Houston, who, having been severely wounded, was asleep beneath the shade of a great oak. Santa Anna took the hand of the prostrate victor, and bowing, introduced himself: "I am General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President of Mexico, and I claim to be your prisoner of war." Houston greeted him politely, and invited him to be seated. The President then wished to enter at once into a treaty of peace with Houston, and Rusk, the Secretary of War. They told him that Texas had a Congress, which body alone had power to make treaties. "But, General Houston," said Santa Anna, "you can afford to be generous, for fate has allowed you to have the honor of capturing the Napoleon of the West."51 All his entreaties were useless; Houston and Rusk would agree to nothing more than an armistice. The Dictator at once sent a letter to General Filisola, commanding all Mexican forces, to withdraw to San Antonio and Victoria, where they were to await further orders. Houston used every care to have his distinguished prisoner made comfortable, and despatched messengers for President Burnet.

General Rusk Succeeds Houston.- The wound that General Houston received during the battle proved to be so serious that he was forced to go to New Orleans for medical attention. General Rusk succeeded him as commander-in-chief.

President Burnet and His Cabinet Meet Santa Anna. In answer to Houston's summons President Bur

net and his cabinet hastened to the camp to take counsel as to what should be done with Santa Anna. They soon took the distinguished prisoner to Galveston and then to Velasco. Two members of the cabinet, Lamar and Potter, were opposed to any treaty with Santa Anna. They insisted that he was a murderer, and that his rank should not shield him from the punishment he so richly deserved; that as he had shown no mercy to the Texans, so should the Texans show him no mercy. Fortunately, milder counsels prevailed, and Santa Anna was saved.52 Thus Texas retained the respect and admiration of the civilized world, something she needed more than venge

ance.

Two Treaties with Santa Anna.—After much discussion, two treaties were made. The public treaty, drawn up at Velasco, May 14, 1836, contained as the principal points:

I. That Santa Anna should neither take up arms nor use his influence against Texas in her war for independence. 2. All hostilities should cease at once. 3. The Mexican troops should withdraw beyond the Rio Grande, should respect all private property, and restore all property previously captured. 4. The Texans should not approach nearer than five leagues to the retreating Mexican troops. 5. All American prisoners should be released. 6. The treaty should be immediately sent to Filisola, that he might act accordingly. 7. Santa Anna should be sent to Vera Cruz as soon as it was deemed proper. In a secret treaty made at the same time, Santa Anna also promised to prepare the Mexican Cabinet, (1). to receive favorably any commissioners sent by the Texan government, (2) to acknowledge Texan independence, and (3) to enter into a treaty of commerce with Texas,