Today, April 21, is known by most Texans as San Jacinto Day because it marks the date in 1836 when Sam Houston led the Texans against Santa Anna's troops. Yada, yada, yada -- Texas became a sovereign nation.
The Texas Historical Association has a nice description of the battle. To wit:
Houston disposed his forces in battle order about 3:30 in the afternoon while all was quiet on the Mexican side during the afternoon siesta. The Texans' movements were screened by trees and the rising ground, and evidently Santa Anna had no lookouts posted. The battle line was formed with Edward Burleson's regiment in the center, Sherman's on the left wing, the artillery under George W. Hockley on Burleson's right, the infantry under Henry Millard on the right of the artillery, and the cavalry under Lamar on the extreme right. The Twin Sisters were wheeled into position, and the whole line, led by Sherman's men, sprang forward on the run with the cry, "Remember the Alamo!" "Remember Goliad!" The battle lasted but eighteen minutes. According to Houston's official report, the casualties were 630 Mexicans killed and 730 taken prisoner. Against this, only nine of the 910 Texans were killed or mortally wounded and thirty were wounded less seriously. Houston's ankle was shattered by a rifle ball. The Texans captured a large supply of muskets, pistols, sabers, mules, horses, provisions, clothing, tents, and $12,000 in silver. Santa Anna disappeared during the battle and search parties were sent out on the morning of the 22. The party consisted of James A. Sylvester, Washington H. Secrest, Sion R. Bostick, and a Mr. Cole discovered Santa Anna hiding in the grass. He was dirty and wet and was dressed as a common soldier. The search party did not recognize him until he was addressed as "el presidente" by other Mexican prisoners.
And note this inscription at the San Jacinto Monument:
Measured by its results, San Jacinto was one of the decisive battles of the world. The freedom of Texas from Mexico won here led to annexation and to the Mexican War, resulting in the acquisition by the United States of the states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Almost one-third of the present area of the American nation, nearly a million square miles of territory, changed sovereignty.
There were some very heroic characters who helped win the independence, but you don't need me to retell the legends about them. Needless to say, Texans are very proud of those guys and what they accomplished.
Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!
P.S. There's a lesson in all this. How does that old saying go? Those who don't remember the past are condemned to repeat it? The Mexicans opened their borders and welcomed the North Americans. But then there were too many, and they wouldn't do what they were told. Along comes another old saying: Open your borders and welcome your future rulers.
Comments