The romance of American expansion . — was planning to send a largearmy into Texas to break up the foreign this the issue was squarely presented — war,or unconditional surrender — and from that timeforward even the peace-loving Austin united hisvoice with Houstons in exhorting the Texans toresist to the death. The story of the war that followed need not betold in detail. Despite the assistance received fromthe United States, in flagrant violation of the lawsof neutrality, but in perfect accord with the laws ofracial solidarity and blood relationship, it openedinauspiciously for
The romance of American expansion . — was planning to send a largearmy into Texas to break up the foreign this the issue was squarely presented — war,or unconditional surrender — and from that timeforward even the peace-loving Austin united hisvoice with Houstons in exhorting the Texans toresist to the death. The story of the war that followed need not betold in detail. Despite the assistance received fromthe United States, in flagrant violation of the lawsof neutrality, but in perfect accord with the laws ofracial solidarity and blood relationship, it openedinauspiciously for the revolutionary cause. Fast onthe heels of the ghastly Alamo massacre, whenTravis, Bowie, Crockett, and their gallant comradeswere butchered in cold blood by Santa Anna, camethe similar horror at Goliad, with its death-roll ofnearly four hundred. These merciless and unfor-givable acts were doubtless designed to strike terrorto the hearts of the revolutionists; but they onlyinspired a blind, unreasoning fury, and an unshak-. Stephen Austix The Father of Texas From a portrait in the possession of the Texas Historical Society. SAM HOUSTON 99 able resolution to exact a bloody recompense. Suchwas the wrath of the Texans that they even turnedagainst Houston, their military head, who, with amasterly generalship which they could not appre-ciate, w^as employing Fabian tactics to avoid a battleuntil reinforcements should reach him. Not theleast of his triumphs was the success with which,heedless of taunts and protests, he beat down allopposition and compelled his rebellious followers todo his bidding. In the end the necessity of givingbattle came sooner than he desired, but with it camealso the vindication for which he had long beentoiling, and the independence of Texas. April 21,1836, near the San Jacinto River, was fought thedecisive engagement of the war, when Houston andsome eight hundred Texans overwhelmingly defeatedtwice their number of Mexicans and captured SantaAnna him
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