General Santa Anna, in the memoirs of his old age, wrote a brief and
untruthful account of the battle of San Jacinto, an alibi blaming
General Filisola for the defeat. He said he had ordered Filisola to join
him by forced marches, for the attack on Houston's army, and was waiting
for the reinforcements when he found Houston camped on the San Jacinto.
He continued:
"_At two o'clock in the afternoon of Aprl 21, 1836, I had fallen asleep
in the shade of an oak, hoping the heat would moderate so that I might
begin the march (to find Filisola), when the filibusterers surprised my
camp with admirable skill. Imagine my surprise, on opening my eyes, and
finding myself surrounded by those people, threatening me with their
rifles and overpowering my person. The responsibility of Filisola was
obvious, because he and only he had caused such a catastrophe by his
criminal disobedience._"
This is somewhat at variance with an earlier report, in which Santa Anna
recounted his own heroic efforts to rally his troops in the battle until
"the new recruits threw everything into confusion, breaking their ranks
and preventing veterans from making use of their arms, whilst the enemy
was rapidly advancing with loud hurrahs, and in a few minutes obtained a
victory which they could not some hours before, even have dreamed of."
Then, _El Presidente_ went on:
"_All hopes being lost, and everyone flying as fast as he could, I found
myself in the greatest danger, when a servant of my aide-de-camp ...
offered me his horse, with the tenderest and most urging expressions
insisted on my riding off the field.... I remembered that General
Filisola was only seventeen leagues off, and I took my direction toward
him, darting through the enemy ranks. They pursued me, and after a ride
of one league and a half, overtook me on the banks of a large creek, the
bridge over which had been burned by the enemy to retard our pursuit._
[Illustration: ANTONIO LOPEZ de SANTA ANNA]
"_I alighted from my horse and with much difficulty succeeded in
concealing myself in a thicket of dwarf pines. Night coming on I escaped
them, and the hope of reaching the army gave me strength. I crossed the
creek with the water up to my breast and continued my route on foot. I
found, in a house which had been abandoned, some articles of clothing,
which enabled me to change my apparel. At eleven o'clock a.m., while I
was crossing a large plain, my pursuers overtook me again. Such is the
history of my capture. On account of my change of apparel they did not
recognize me, and inquired whether I had seen Santa Anna. To this I
answered that he had made his escape; and this answer saved me from
assassination, as I have since been given to understand._"
Colonel Pedro Delgado, of Santa Anna's staff, gave a more detailed and
more accurate Mexican version of the battle. He told how Santa Anna, his
staff and most of the men were asleep when the bugler sounded the alarm
of the Texan advance. Some of the men were out gathering boughs for
shelter; cavalrymen were riding bareback, to and from water. Continuing:
"_I stepped upon some ammunition boxes the better to observe the
movements of the enemy. I saw that their formation was a mere line of
one rank, and very extended. In their center was the Texas flag; on both
wings, they had two light cannons, well manned. Their cavalry was
opposite our front, overlapping our left. In this disposition yelling
furiously, with a brisk fire of grape, muskets and rifles, they advanced
resolutely upon our camp. There the utmost confusion prevailed. General
Castrillon shouted on one side; on another Colonel Almonte was giving
orders; some cried out to commence firing; others to lie down and avoid
the grape shot. Among the latter was His Excellency._
"_Then already, I saw our men; flying in small groups, terrified, and
sheltering themselves behind large trees. I endeavored to force some of
them to fight, but all efforts were in vain--the evil was beyond remedy;
they were a bewildered and panic-stricken herd._
"_The enemy kept up a brisk cross-fire of grape on the woods. Presently
we heard, in close proximity, the unpleasant noise of their clamor.
Meeting no resistance they dashed, lightning-like upon our deserted
camp._
"_Then I saw His Excellency running about in the utmost excitement,
wringing his hands, and unable to give an order. General Castrillon was
stretched on the ground, wounded in the leg. Colonel Trevino was killed,
and Colonel Marcial Aguirre was severely injured. I saw also, the enemy
reaching the ordnance train, and killing a corporal and two gunners who
had been detailed to repair cartridges which had been damaged on the
previous evening._"
In a grove on the bayshore, Colonel Delgado said, the Texans wrought the
worst carnage of the battle.
"_There they killed Colonel Batres; and it would have been all over with
us had not Providence placed us in the hands of the noble and generous
captain of cavalry, Allen, who by great exertion, saved us repeatedly
from being slaughtered by the drunken and infuriated volunteers._"
[Illustration: Star]