The Battle of San Jacinto

The battle of San Jacinto was the event which concluded the Texas Revolution. Since soldiers had already gathered in Gonzales, Colonel James Neill took full responsibility and started to organize his troops (Pohl, 1989, p. 29). Upon General Sam Houston’s arrival he took control of the Texian Army and began to move eastward in a dire effort to assume a more “defensible position” (Pohl, 1989, p. 29). After the demise of the Alamo in 1836, Sam Houston and the Texian army retreated eastward (Pohl, 1989, p. 29). Early in the morning on April 19th, the Texans proceeded to march down the bank of Buffalo Bayou and when Santa Anna believed Houston was cornered he decided to rest his army in an attempt to attack on April 22nd (Pohl, 1989, p. 30). On April 20th, Santa Anna knew Houston was definitely nearby and sent a probe out into the woods to find the Texian army. Colonel James C. Neill ordered the release of a pair of identical cannons given to the Texians by Cincinnati, Ohio known as the Twin Sisters (Pohl, 1989, p. 31). This command sent the Mexicans and their army into retreat which apparently kept the Texians from being discovered.

When Houston’s Texian cavalry were positioned within a mile of the San Jacinto River, the army began to prepare their defense on the grove of the trees (Pohl, 1989, p.3 1). Houston’s army set up in the woods, located along the confluence of the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou (Pohl, 1989, p. 31). The following morning, Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna came marching across the prairie and was abruptly stopped by “a volley from the Texan’s Twin Sisters artillery” (Pohl, 1989, p. 31). Thereafter, Santa Anna formed in the line of battle and the head of the Texas cavalry named Colonel Sidney Sherman decided to charge the Mexican army (Pohl, 1989, p. 31).

Early in the morning on April 21st, Houston sent a Texas spy named Deaf Smith along with 2-3 other men to destroy Vince’s Bridge in an attempt to cut off the only means of “reinforcement and retreat” both armies had without crossing deep water of about 10 feet (Pohl, 1989, p. 32). Santa Anna placed Cos to his right, his artillery in the middle, and his veteran troops on his left, which created a 5 ft. high barrier of protective baggage for his army (Pohl, 1989, p. 32). Houston decided to plan a surprise attack later that afternoon as he anticipated that Santa Anna may use the additional time to formulate a plan to attack the Texian army; however, Santa Anna made a huge mistake by failing to surround the camp with sentinels (Pohl, 1989, p. 32). Houston ordered for his army to advance as the Texian army moved swiftly across the prairie and began to shout “Remember the Alamo!” and “Remember Goliad!” until they were positioned just a few yards shy of the Mexicans (Pohl, 1989, p. 33). The Texans did not hesitate as the word “fire” was ordered and they proceeded to fire (Pohl, 1989, p. 33). Texas undoubtedly won the battle of San Jacinto. On April 21, 1836, the Texian Army led by General Sam Houston defeated General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna’s Mexican Army in a battle that lasted approximately 18 minutes (Pohl, 1989, p. 33). As a result of the battle, 630 Mexican soldiers were killed, 730 Mexican soldiers were captured as prisoners while only a mere 9 troops from the Texian army were killed (Pohl, 1989, p. 40). Santa Anna’s lack guards as lookouts proved to be disastrous as the attack that was accomplished during daylight proved to be utterly victorious for the Houston and his Texian army.

The following day, the president of Mexico, Santa Anna, was captured and held as a prisoner of war for 3 weeks before he signed the peace treaty (Pohl, 1989, p. 47). On May 14, 1836, Santa Anna signed the Treaties of Velasco, which stated that he would withdraw his troops from Texas in order to safeguard his return to Mexico (Pohl, 1989, p. 47). The signed peace treaty proclaimed that the Mexican army would leave the area, which will allow the Republic of Texas to essentially become independent (Pohl, 1989, p. 48).

Reference

Pohl, James W. (1989). The Battle of San Jacinto. Austin, Texas: Texas State Historical Association.