nd, the Twin Sisters were swung around into position and fire. They were loaded with chopped horseshoes, and this improvised grapeshot tore through the Mexican ranks(Hoyt 156).Colonel Delgado stood up on an empty ammunition crate behind the breastworks to survey the scene. He saw General Castrilln on one side, shouting orders, Colonel Almonte on the other side, shouting orders. No one was listening. General Santa Anna emerged from his tent and he shouted at the men: "Lie down! You will be hit!" Other officers yelled, "Commence firing!" There was much confusion among troops. On the Texas side, after the first volley General Houston tried to get the riflemen to reload, but Secretary Rusk rode up. "If we stop we are cut to pieces-don't stop-Give them hell!" The Texas Army surged forward over the breastworks, shouting, "Remember the Alamo!" Their rifles became clubs, and Bowie knives and pistols came out. "Remember Goliad!" they cried(Hoyt 156-157).Frantically, the Mexican gunners worked the Golden Standard. They fired five times, and grapeshot and mine balls thinned the Texas ranks, but then the gunners were overwhelmed. A few of the Mexican musketeers and riflemen rushed to the breastworks and snapped off shots. They were aiming at General Houston and five bullets struck Saracen, almost killing him. Houston mounted another horse, but that one too fell because of the musket fire. A shot struck Houston in the Achilles tendon of his right foot, breaking his ankle. He got himself onto a third horse and remained on the field(Hoyt 157-158).Eight miles away, Texas baggage guards had captured Captain Bachillar, a special courier for Santa Anna, the day before by Deaf Smith, and had him tied to a tree.All of them were following the action. First came the deep bellow of the Golden Standard, then the popping of the Twin Sisters, and then the rattle of small arms. In the beginning moments the captain was quite lively, but then he sank into sil...
