Prelude to the Battle of San Jacinto

The Battle of Gonzales marked the beginning of military developments which started the Texas Revolution. The Battle of Alamo, a 13-day-long siege, resulted in the Mexican army launching an assault on the Alamo Mission. This resulted in the death of all Texan defenders trying to protect their country (The Texas Revolution, 2002, p. 217). Santa Anna ordered his army to execute all troops they confront as they bordered the Alamo. On March 6, 1836, the Mexican army bombarded the walls, although the first and second charges were repulsed by artillery fire and an attack, which lasted 90 minutes (The Texas Revolution, 2002, p. 218).

Texan troops were outnumbered, so they surrendered on March 20th, as they thought they would be captured and returned home (The Texas Revolution, 2002, p. 223). The prisoners were sent back to Goliad. When the news reached Santa Anna, he ordered that the Mexicans be shot on the prairie, and the Mexicans were massacred. (The Texas Revolution, 2002, p. 224).

The Runway Scrape began when Santa Anna began his conquest of Texas. Following news of the fall of Alamo, Texans left everything to find their way to safety. Houston’s retreat initiated the Runaway Scrape, which eventually left the areas between the Colorado and the Brazos unprotected (The Texas Revolution, 2002, p. 225). The burden of travel was rather difficult and the presence of diseases, changing weather conditions, and hunger left many people to die along the journey (The Texas Revolution, 2002, p. 225). The flight lasted until they received news of their victorious defeat in the battle of San Jacinto and many began their journey back home.

The Battle of Alamo, Goliad Massacre, and the Runaway Scrape gravely contributed to the Texan victory at the battle of San Jacinto, in addition to sustaining the independence of the Republic of Texas. The Texan army cried “Remember Goliad” and “Remember the Alamo,” served as a motivation as the Texans won the Battle of San Jacinto, ending the revolution on April 21, 1836 (The Texas Revolution, 2002, p. 226).

Reference

The Texas Revolution (2002). The Texas Revolution. Retrieved from www.nbisd.org/users/0022/docs/Celebrating%20TX/Chapter%2010.pdf‎