San Jacinto Day - Upcoming and important for Texas

Friday, April 21, will mark the 187th anniversary of the most decisive battle in both Texas and American history. 

It will mark the date when a new, independent, free nation would become a part of the North American continent. A date which would alter the life of Texas and Texans. For the twenty-first day of April in the year 1836 would see the Battle of San Jacinto unfold and the landscape and identity of Texas change forever. 

Imagine, if you will, a rag-tag army of volunteers assembling on the coastal plains of Texas. Soldiers of little experience bravely facing a well trained professional army. 

At the conflux of Buffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto River, Texans set out to win their independence from Santa Anna’s ruthless tyranny. Freedom in Texas would be born from a swampy marshland just southeast of today’s massive city of Houston.

At approximately 3:30 in the afternoon, General Sam Houston ordered his officers to line up their troops for battle. He would order an immediate and somewhat surprise attack on the Mexican Army under Santa Anna’s command. This in hopes of ending the Texas Revolution.

Earlier that same day, General Houston had ordered his valued scouts, Erastus “Deaf” Smith, Henry Karnes, and Hendrick Arnold to destroy the bridge across Vince’s Bayou just to the southwest of the Texans’ camp. The men simply burned the bridge. This action would ensure that the Mexican Army and the Texas forces would not be able to escape. It would mean they all must fight or die. 

The Texan Army was comprised of four infantry units, an artillery force that included two identical cannons called the “Twin Sisters,” and a cavalry unit led by Mirabeau B. Lamar. 

During the army’s advance, a small fife and drum band played a popular tune of the day, “Will You Come to the Bower.” Then General Houston drew his sword to begin the attack and told his men to “Remember the Alamo” and Remember Goliad.” 

This became the Texan Army’s battle cry. It referenced the cruel losses the Texans had endured at The Battle of the Alamo and the Massacre of Goliad in March, 1836. It was also a rallying cry to warn Santa Anna and his troops that Texans were seeking vengeance for the lives lost at the two previous battles.

As the Mexican Army rested, regrouped, and watered their horses, the Texas Army attacked. There were heavy casualties on the Mexican side and less than 10 dead for the Texans. 

As quickly as it had begun, the Battle of San Jacinto was finished in only eighteen minutes. A clear and decisive victory for Sam Houston and the Texas troops. The short conflict seemed to mean immediate freedom for Texas. But, the oppressive dictator that the rebellious Texans were truly fighting against, Santa Anna, had escaped. He had run into the brush and was hiding during all the confusion of the battle.

Unabated, the Texan soldiers searched for Santa Anna and found him disguised as a commoner the next day, April 22nd. Brought before a wounded Sam Houston as a prisoner, Santa Anna had no choice but to surrender and give Texas its freedom. Then the dictator asked, “What is the name of this place…” to which Sam Houston replied, “The Republic of Texas!” Thus, a new nation was born and Texans could rejoice for their hard earned freedom.

So, next week, on Friday, April 21, let’s all “Remember San Jacinto!” 

The important little battle that gave us our Big Independent Texas.