They did not fall in vain. A cry for vengeance arose to Heaven. It rung through the land, and a terrible retribution overtook the cruel murderer and his army at the battle of San Jacinto.

BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO.

The battle of San Jacinto was the last and most important one which took place in the war between Texas and Mexico. Though the numbers engaged in it were not very large, yet the victory of the Texans was so great, that it brought the war to a close, and soon led to the independence of Texas. It was fought on Buffalo Bayou, and near San Jacinto River, in Harris county, on April 21, 1836. General Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, commanded the Mexicans, and General Houston led the Texans. The Mexicans numbered fifteen hundred men, and the Texans only about seven hundred. We need not describe the proud advance of the Mexican army, the retreat of the Texans, the burning of Harrisburg, the skirmishing on the 20th, and other incidents which took place before the battle.

General Houston called a council of war, and it was decided that they must now fight, or the Mexicans would drive them out of the country, and compel them to cross over into Louisiana. Many of the soldiers were impatient to bring the matter to close quarters, and were determined either to meet the enemy at once, or else go home and take care of their families and property, which were in danger of being destroyed by parties from the Mexican army, who were prowling over the country. It was about three o'clock on the afternoon of the 21st, when General Houston made preparations for the attack. The Mexicans seemed to be almost entirely unprepared for battle. They had just finished their dinner. Some were

lounging about the camp. Some were playing monte, and many were taking a quiet nap. Santa Anna was himself asleep. The Texans formed their plan of attack behind the shelter of some trees, which concealed them from view. Burleson's regiment was placed in the center; Sherman's on the left wing, and the cavalry, under Lamar, on the extreme right. The artillery, including the "Twin Sisters," was under the charge of Hockley. The whole army was soon in readiness. The "Twin Sisters "" now advanced to within two hundred yards of the Mexican breastworks, and opened a destructive fire with grape and canister. Sherman's regiment rushed forward and began the attack with great fury. The whole line then advanced in doublequick time, shouting, "Remember the Alamo!" "Remember Goliad!" The Mexicans fired as the Texans approached, but the latter reserved their fire until they were within pistol shot. They then opened fire along their whole line. The effect of this discharge was terrible. They made no halt. Onward they rushed, firing and yelling as they went. The Texan cavalry then charged that of the Mexicans, who immediately fled; and in a few minutes Burleson's regiment and Millard's infantry stormed the breastwork, and captured their whole artillery. In fifteen minutes after the charge, the Mexicans gave way at all points, and the pursuit became general. Some fled to the river; some to the swamp, and most of them to a clump of trees in their rear, where they surrendered. Such was their terror, and so sudden was their flight, that many of their cannon were left loaded, their money and other valuables left untouched.-Those that were asleep, awoke only to be overwhelmed or killed. Those that were cooking left their food untouched; and those that were playing monte, left the game unfinished. The swamp, in the

rear of their camp, presented an awful scene. Men and horses, the dead and dying, were piled in heaps, and formed a bridge over which their terrible pursuers continued the chase. The Texans, not having time to load their guns, used them as clubs; and then, seizing their bowie-knives, slaughtered the poor fugitives like sheep. Many begged for their lives, but no quarter was given them. Their pursuers remembered the many fearful outrages committed by the Mexicans on former occasions, and they were determined to put to death all who came within their power.

At dark the pursuit of the flying enemy ceased. The prisoners who surrendered before the flight commenced, were conducted to the Texan camp, a guard placed over them, and were furnished with provisions. The wounded of both armies were cared for. In summing up the results of the battle, it was found that 630 Mexicans were killed, 208 wounded, and 103 made prisoners. A large quantity of arms, great numbers of mules and horses, camp equipage, and the army chest, containing $12,000, were captured. The Texans had only 8 killed and 25 wounded. General Houston received a wound in the leg.

On the morning of the 22d, detachments were sent out to scour the country in the direction towards Harrisburg, and pick up stragglers. A party of five continued their search down Buffalo Bayou. One of them, in the act of shooting a deer, saw a Mexican hiding in the tall grass, with a blanket over his head. They called to him to rise and come to them. He advanced, and taking one of them by the hand, kissed it. They asked him who he was. He replied that he was only a private soldier. But, seeing some gold buttons. on his shirt, they pointed to them. He then burst into. tears, and begged to be conducted to General Houston.

This prisoner was none other than the celebrated Santa Anna. On approaching Houston, he announced his name, and declared himself a prisoner of war. General Houston was reclining beneath a tree, and was suffering considerable pain from his wound. He, however, received the prisoner with due consideration. Santa Anna was much agitated and much alarmed. Knowing the hatred entertained towards him by the Texans, because of his many former cruelties, he justly feared their vengeance. He asked for opium, some of which he swallowed, whether for the purpose of quieting his nerves, or destroying his life, we know not. But in a few minutes he recovered his usual composure, and began to display his usual vanity. He at once made. application to be released from captivity. "You," said he to Houston, ❝ can afford to be generous, for you have conquered the Napoleon of the West!" General Houston distinctly informed him that he should be turned. over to the civil authorities. President Burnett then took charge of him; and after detaining him for some time a prisoner, he was permitted to go to Washington City, from whence he was sent home by General Jackson, in a vessel of war, to Vera Cruz.

Thus ended the celebrated battle of San Jacinto. The brave band, under their distinguished leader, obtained a victory as glorious as any other recorded in the annals of history, and the happy consequences of it will be felt in Texas in all future generations. It shows what brave men can do when fighting for liberty against tyrants.

RELIGION IN TEXAS.

Although many of the early settlers in Texas were immoral in their habits, yet the mass of the people. entertained a great regard for religious observances.

Most of them were educated in the older States, and brought with them their reverence for sacred things. The leading men among them were well aware that no people can be prosperous who do not encourage the worship of God. This was particularly true after the country became independent of Mexico. It was then that a feeling of gratitude to Heaven, for its blessing on their efforts to become a free people, seemed to pervade all classes, and ministers of the Gospel, of all denominations, were cordially welcomed to the country. It is now difficult to decide what Christian sect had the honor of organizing the first church in Texas. The Methodists and Baptists both claim this distinction.

As early as 1818, the Rev. Henry Stephenson, of the Methodist denomination, preached in the Red River settlements, in Western Louisiana. In 1824 he paid a visit to Texas, and preached the first Protestant sermon west of the Brazos, near San Felipe. There were four families present on that occasion. The first campmeeting was held in Texas in 1833, ten miles from San Augustine. About eighty persons attended. A few individuals professed religion, and a church was organized. On January 17, 1838, the corner-stone of a Methodist house of worship was laid in San Augustine. Gen. Thomas J. Rusk delivered an address on the occasion. This was the first effort to erect a church building west of the Sabine.

In 1837, the Rev. R. Alexander, D.D., emigrated to Texas, preached extensively throughout the State, was the means of doing a great amount of good, and still lives to see the fruits of his labors. About the same time, the Rev. Dr. Ruter, for some time president of Alleghany College in Pennsylvania, a man of practical views, sound learning, and of a truly missionary spirit,