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Today in Texas HistoryOn the trail to Texas independence.Mar 31, 1836 – General Sam Houston paused his men at Groce's Landing, roughly 15 miles (24 km) north of San Felipe. Two companies that refused to retreat further than San Felipe were assigned to guard the crossings on the Brazos River. For the next two weeks, the Texians rested, recovered from illness, and, for the first time, began practicing military drillsUnhappy with everyone involved, Interim President David G. Burnet wrote to Houston: "The enemy are laughing you to scorn. You must fight them. You must retreat no further. The country expects you to fight. The salvation of the country depends on your doing so.” Complaints within the camp became so strong that Houston posted notices that anyone attempting to usurp his position would be court-martialed and shot.(Note: The Runaway Scrape, marked by the period between March 11 and April 21, 1836, were the evacuations by Texas residents hurriedly fleeing the Mexican Army during the Texas Revolution. The term Runaway Scrape was the name Texans applied to the flight from their homes when General Antonio López de Santa Anna began his attempted conquest of Texas in February 1836.)Portraits/Photos: General Sam Houston, historical marker at Groce's Landing, President David Burnet.