The Road to San Jacinto Chapter 11 Texas History Coach Fletcher

Santa Anna in Texas After the battle of the Alamo Santa Anna remained in Texas. Santa Anna felt he had to do several things to secure the Mexican control of Texas. Have Mexican soldiers in the towns located in central and east Texas Arrest David G. Burnet and the temporary government

Houston builds the Texas Army Sam Houston was elected Commander of the Army. Houston joins the army at Gonzales, where about 370 volunteers had gathered. At this time Houston hears about the fall of the Alamo and he then decides to retreat because.. He was hoping to gather more men He wanted to take time to train the men

Houston’s Army Retreats Houston began his retreat from Gonzales on March 13, 1836. He stops along the Colorado River at a place called Burnham’s Crossing. At the crossing Houston trains his men for 9 days, and in those days his army grew to about 1,400 men. It is at this time that Houston hears about the Massacre at Goliad. Houston again decides to retreat even farther into East Texas, this would help stretch out Santa Anna’s supplies.

“Runaway Scrape” As Houston begins to retreat news of the fall of the Alamo and the Massacre at Goliad spread throughout Texas. Hundreds of families began to gather belongings and leave Texas. The retreat by families was known as “Runaway Scrape”

Houston Trains Army Houston in his retreat crosses two major rivers. The Colorado The Brazos It was here at the Brazos River where Houston used two weeks to train his men at Groce’s Plantation.

Problems during the Retreat During the retreat Houston’s soldiers faced many problems: Sickness Rain and mud Lack of action Lack of loyalty to Houston Many soldiers left the army during the retreat because of these problems.

Keeping an Eye on Santa Anna Houston had many spies helping him keep an eye on the movement of Santa Anna. Hendrick Arnold was an African American that would inform Houston on the movement of Santa Anna. Arnold would pose as a runaway slave and would move throughout the Mexican army’s camps and gather information for Houston.

Mexican Army Move East One of Santa Anna’s goal was to capture David Burnett. So Santa Anna began a move towards Harrisburg where Burnett was at. Burnett continued to move around so it was near impossible to capture him. Both Santa Anna and Houston moved troops towards Harrisburg. It was at this time Houston received two cannons from Cincinnati, Ohio. The cannons were known as the “Twin Sisters.” Soon both the Mexican Army and the Texas Army were to clash again at San Jacinto.

The Eve of Battle April 20, 1836 Texans camped in a grove of oak trees with the San Jacinto river on the left. The Mexicans camped about ¾ of a mile from the Texans with marsh and swamp land around them.

Juan Seguin’s Troops Juan Seguin commanded about 20 to 30 Tejanos. The Tejanos wore a piece of cardboard in their hats to distinguish them from Santa Anna’s men.

Houston Call a Council of War April 21, 1836 – In the early morning Houston orders “Deaf Smith” and others to destroy the bridge across Vince’s Bayou to the southwest. This would cut off a path of retreat for both the Texans and the Mexican Armies. Showed that Houston was willing to die.

Houston called a council of war with his officers asking them: Do we fight that day or the next morning All the officers voted to fight that day. The next question Houston had was strategy: 2. Do the Texans attack directly or set up a defense and wait for Santa Anna to attack. Sam Houston dismissed the officers without answering.

Santa Anna’s Numbers Morning of April 21, 1836 Santa Anna had 850 troops General Cos that previous night marched in another 540 troops. Mistakes Santa Anna made that day: Cos’ troops were inexperienced Santa Anna allowed most of Cos’ troops to rest the afternoon of April 21. Santa Anna himself rested in the middle of the afternoon

“Battle of San Jacinto” April 21, 1836- 3:30 p.m. Houston orders his men to form battle lines for an attack on the Mexican camp. Many of the Mexican soldiers were in tents resting, and before they knew it the Texans were deep inside the Mexican camp. The battle lasted 18 minutes with many Mexican soldiers attempting to flee. The Texans attacked with chants of “Remember the Alamo”

Mexican Suffer Heavy Losses Texans- fewer than 10 killed 30 injured including Sam Houston A musket ball shattered Houston’s ankle Mexican- 630 killed 730 taken prisoners including Santa Anna Santa Anna was found hiding in the tall grass. He was taken to Sam Houston under a large tree and there Santa Anna introduced himself as being “General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna…a prisoner of war at your disposition.”

Houston’s Compassion The Texas soldiers wanted to kill Santa Anna, but Houston refused to let the men kill him. Houston explained this compassion towards Santa Anna by saying: “My motive in sparing the life of Santa Anna was to relieve the country of all hostile enemies without further bloodshed, and to secure his acknowledgement of our independence.”

By Houston letting Santa Anna live, Houston sent a message to all the world: 1. Santa Anna had to acknowledge that Texas was an independent country 2. That Houston was not out to get revenge on Santa Anna, but only to gain freedom.

Treaty of Velasco Santa Anna signed two treaties: The Treaty said the following things. A. Santa Anna promised to never fight Texas again B. ordered all Mexican soldiers out of Texas C. exchange of Mexican and Texas soldiers back to each side D. all property Mexico took from Texas had to be returned

Treaty of Velasco E. to get the Mexican government to recognize the independence of Texas F. Texas would secretly escort Santa Anna back to Mexico G. The Texas-Mexico border was to be set at the Rio Grande After the Battle of the Alamo Santa Anna was put on a ship called the “Invincible”- but forced off the ship by Texas soldiers and forced to stay in Texas

In the End Sam Houston went to New Orleans to seek medical help. General Filisola led the defeated Mexican soldiers back to Mexico Santa Anna wasn’t able to leave Texas for several months. Runaway Scrape people returned home to find houses burned and possessions gone.