4-12

Today in Texas HistoryOn the trail to Texas independenceApr 12, 1836 - Texas President David G. Burnet and his cabinet barely escape the arriving Mexican army. Colonel Almonte decides not to shoot the fleeing party.Sesma receives orders to march to Thompson’s crossing at Old Fort to join Santa Anna. Filisola is still moving the baggage train across the Colorado River. No communications as to where Gaona is located. Urrea leaves Tres Palacios Creek and heads toward Matagorda. He and his troops travel five leagues from Cayce’s to the left bank of the Colorado River.From the dispatches of Alexander Horton, Sam Houston's aide-de-camp:"The order has been issued by General Houston that we are to cross over the Brazos to the east bank. The steamboat Yellow Stone and a small yawl have been impressed into service for that purpose. The first division of the first regiment under Col. Burleson will remain as the rear Guard until further orders are issued. The removal started at 10 a.m. this morning and will probably take a couple of days to effect."Volunteers continue to arrive. Peter Bell arrived yesterday on his 26th birthday, having walked up from Brazoria. Today, a Georgian by the name of Mirabeau B. Lamar arrived from Harrisburg. He reports that the provision government is still in that place. Lamar likewise reported that Capt. Smith had left Harrisburg on the 9th with two small iron cannons, assumed to be the six pounders previously landed at Velasco. They were being transported by horses and due to the conditions of the roads, Lamar passed the convoy on his way here. The field pieces should arrive tomorrow, if not later today. The spirit of the Artillery corp. is high."Photo: Tres Palacios Creek today.