The Battle of San Jacinto, April 21st, 1836, marked the final battle in the Texas Revolution from Mexico. Although Texas had declared independence on March 2nd, 1836, this battle brought a formal end to the brief war between Mexico and its former territory.
April 19th found General Sam Houston’s ragtag Texan army impatient, restless, and bloodthirsty, after the devastating massacre at Goliad under Colonel James Fannin and the loss of the Alamo in San Antonio de Béxar under Colonel William Barret Travis. Only one company, the Kentucky Rifles, even had proper uniforms. The rest of the men, approximately 900 total (accounts differ between 700 and 900) wore the everyday clothes they had been wearing for the past forty days on the road; many of them were not military men by profession.
They had left over 200 of their original number, mostly wounded or ill, in nearby Harrisburg, before marching down to the bayou until midnight.
Compared to General Santa Anna’s well-trained, uniformed military, the Texians were in very bad shape indeed.
After days and days of marching ahead of General Santa Anna’s army, General Houston finally decided to take a stand and fight. Following a brief skirmish with the Mexican infantry on the 20th, the Texians made camp about ¾ of a mile from Santa Anna’s army. Earlier that morning, General Martín Perfecto de Cos crossed behind the Texian’s camp with an additional 500 troops, bringing the Mexican count up to about 1,200 men. To prevent further reinforcements, Houston ordered Erastus “Deaf” Smith to take a detail and destroy Vince’s Bridge, which would keep either army from retreating to Harrisburg. After meeting with a council, Houston decided to take the offensive the following day, the 21st.
It was a clear, warm day, undoubtedly humid from the heavy April rains that had swollen the nearby San Jacinto River. The Texans approached the Mexican camp under the cover of nearby foliage around 3:30 in the afternoon; no sentries were found. Many of the troops were taking an afternoon nap when the Texan troops attacked. Fueled by the rage of the deaths of their fellow Texans at earlier battles, many of them cried, “Remember the Alamo!” “Remember La Bahia!’ as they charged the unsuspecting troops.
The battle itself lasted approximately eighteen minutes. Despite their inferior numbers, the Texans won handily, suffering only a handful of casualties compared to the over 600 Mexican deaths, with several hundred taken prisoner. Their behavior could be described as downright bloodthirsty, as many of the Mexicans present had not been present at the Battle of the Alamo, and this despite Houston’s pleas for leniency. Santa Anna himself was captured (after trying to escape, disguised as a common soldier) and brought before a wounded Sam Houston, where they discussed the terms of peace. Here is an account from the Mexican side, Colonel Pedro Delgado, of Santa Anna’s staff:
“I stepped upon some ammunition boxes the better to observe the movements of the enemy. I saw that their formation was a mere line of one rank, and very extended. In their center was the Texas flag; on both wings, they had two light cannons, well manned. Their cavalry was opposite our front, overlapping our left. In this disposition yelling furiously, with a brisk fire of grape, muskets and rifles, they advanced resolutely upon our camp. There the utmost confusion prevailed. General Castrillon shouted on one side; on another Colonel Almonte was giving orders; some cried out to commence firing; others to lie down and avoid the grape shot. Among the latter was His Excellency. Then already, I saw our men flying in small groups, terrified, and sheltering themselves behind large trees. I endeavored to force some of them to fight, but all efforts were in vain—the evil was beyond remedy; they were a bewildered and panic-stricken herd. The enemy kept up a brisk cross-fire of grape on the woods. Presently we heard, in close proximity, the unpleasant noise of their clamor. Meeting no resistance they dashed, lightning-like upon our deserted camp. Then I saw His Excellency [Santa Anna] running about in the utmost excitement, wringing his hands, and unable to give an order. General Castrillon was stretched on the ground, wounded in the leg. Colonel Trevino was killed, and Colonel Marcial Aguirre was severely injured. I saw also, the enemy reaching the ordnance train, and killing a corporal and two gunners who had been detailed to repair cartridges which had been damaged on the previous evening. “ [in a grove on the bayshore] “…they killed Colonel Batres; and it would have been all over with us had not providence placed us in the hands of the noble and generous captain of cavalry, Allen, who by great exertion, saved us repeatedly from being slaughtered by the drunken and infuriated volunteers.”
Although the Battle of San Jacinto was quickly won, its significance was long-reaching for North America; after nearly a decade of independence, Texas joined the United States (1845), sparking the Mexican-American War, or the U.S. Invasion of Mexico (1846-1848). This resulted in Mexico losing nearly a third of its northern territories, including parts of present-day California, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona, in addition to Texas several years previously.
