On reaching the grave General Rusk delivered a short, but feeling and
eloquent address.
"FELLOW SOLDIERS: In the order of Providence
we are this day called upon to pay the last sad offices of respect to
the remains of the noble and heroic band, who, battling for our sacred
rights, have fallen beneath the ruthless hand of a tyrant. Their chivalrous
conduct entitles them to the heartfelt gnatitude of the people of Texas.
Without any further interest in the country than that which all noble
hearts feel at the bare mention of liberty, they rallied to our standard.
Relinquishing the ease, peace, and comforts of their homes, leaving
behind them all they held dear, their mothers, sisters, daughters, and
wives, they subjected themselves to fatigue and privation, and nobly
threw themselves between the people of Texas and the legions of Santa
Anna. There, unaided by re-inforcements and far from help and hope,
they battled bravely with the minions of a tyrant, ten to one. Surrounded
in the open prairie by this fearful odds, cut off from provisions and
even water, they were induced, under the sacred promise of receiving
the treatment usual to prisoners of war, to surrender. They were marched
back, and for a week treated with the utmost inhumanity and barbarity.
They were marched out of yonder fort under the pretense of getting provisions,
and it was not until the firing of musketry did the shrieks of the dying,
that they were satisfied of their approaching fate. Some endeavored
to make their escape, but they were pursued by the ruthless cavalry
and most of them cut down with their swords. A small number of them
stand by the grave-a bare remnant of that noble band. Our tribute of
respect is due to them; it is due to the mothers, sisters, and wives
who weep their untimely end, that we should mingle our tears with theirs.
In that mass of remains and fragments of bones, many a mother might
see her son, many a sister her brother, and many a wife her own beloved
and affectionate husband. But we have a consolation- yet to offer them:
their murderers sank in death on the prairies of San Jacinto, under
the appalling words, "Remember La Bahía." Many a tender and affectionate
woman will remember, with tearful eye, "La Bahía." But we have another
consolation to offer. It is, that while liberty has a habitation and
a name, their chivalrous deeds will be handed down upon the bright pages
of history. We can still offer another consolation: Santa Anna, the
mock hero, the black-hearted murderer, is within our grasp. Yea, and
there he must remain, tortured with the keen pain of corroding conscience.
He must oft remember La Bahía, and while the names of those whom he
murdered shall soar to the highest pinnacle of fame, his shall sink
down into the lowest depths of infamy and disgrace."
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