Texas History - 12

Santa Ann’a orders

burn every town, farm, house, dividing into 5 units to march across East Texas

Gonzales

400 weak soldiers began training under Houston, got news of the Alamo

Retreat

Houston disappointed many by his withdrawal, 1) more time to plan, 2) gather more men, 3) train

Runaway Scrape

Settlers packed what they had and fled (older men, women, children)

Jared Groce Plantation

Houston & 1200 men trained (2 weeks)

More frustration

Troops wanted to defend their homes, not train (it was boring to them), David G. Burnet publicly criticized Houston

Thomas J. Rusk

Secretary of War, supported Houston

April 7, 1836

Santa Anna’s army reached the Brazos River (there was no bridge)

Moseley Baker

and troops prevented Santa Anna from crossing (shot them until they could not go anymore)

Harrisburg

Santa Anna quickly moved in to capture government, narrow escape to Galveston

Twin Sisters

2 six pound cannons donated by city of Cincinnati, Ohio; before that Houston had no artillery (because of speed) but he kept them despite it slowed them down

April 27

Houston turns South towards Santa Anna

Deaf Smith

scout for Houston; reported Santa Anna’s crossing of San Jacinto River at Vince’s Bayou Bridge

James Neil

(former commander of the Alamo), in charge of the “Twin Sisters” at San Jacinto

Houston’s army

about 900 men

Santa Anna’s Plan

thought Texans would fight defensive battle

Mirabeau B. Lamar

impressive to Houston, quickly promoted to command Calvary for Houston (good on horse so he got to the top)

April 21

General Perfecto de Cos arrived with reinforcements (marched all night)

Siesta

traditional afternoon rest

Vince's Bayou bridge

Houston ordered destroyed; (starts at 4ish, burns main bridge) 1) no more reinforcements, 2) no one could retreat

Houston’s plan

attack Santa Anna the next day, persuaded by his men to attack that day!

18 minutes

battle was short; several hours spent chasing down enemy

Casualties

soldiers killed; less than 10 Texans; Houston shot in the ankle; 630 Mexicans were killed; 730 Mexicans taken as prisoners

Revenge

many Mexicans were killed after the battle (Alamo/Goliad) (Mexicans killed and showed no mercy so Texans gave them it back this time)

Santa Anna

found the next day in common soldiers clothes

Santa Anna’s orders

all Mexican soldiers South of Rio Grande

Velasco

city at the mouth of the Brazos River, served as Texas Capital, where Santa Anna signed 2 treaties