Texas Wins Independence After the Alamo and Goliad, Mexican troops moved further into Texas while Texan forces retreated in disarray.

The Texans Retreat March 1836, Santa Anna felt he had crushed the Texas rebellion. He w was determined to punish the Anglo American settlers of Texas. He ordered his soldiers to burn every town, farm, and house.

Sam Houston and the Texas Army On March 4, Sam Houston was given control of the Army, he headed to meet his troops (400) in Gonzalez. Some had come in response to Travis plea, some were long time residents Tejanos and Anglos and about 50 Kentucky volunteers (brought by Sidney Shermen) It was a ragtag group with no food, and a shortage of guns and ammunition.

A Difficult Decision A week after Houston arrived  Susanna Dickinson and Travis’s servant Joe arrived, from the Alamo. They relayed the news of battle—and of Santa Anna’s plans to move east to Gonzales. Houston recognizing that a fight would be impossible at this stage, he ordered a retreat. His decision was met with disbelief and grumbling. His plan was to draw Santa Anna further into Anglo Texas; while giving him time to plan a strategy, gather more men, and train his army. He sent Fannin (still alive at this point) orders to blow up the Goliad fortress and join Houston. Houston’s men burned Gonzales on his order, they headed to the northeast.

How did the Texan army and civilian Texans react to Santa Anna’s continued invasion?

“The Runaway Scrape” The settlers who remained were old men, women, and children. In a few short days, Stephen F. Austin’s colony disappeared, as many settlers packed what belongings they could and quickly left. 

Identifying The Road to San Jacinto What were three reasons that Houston decided to retreat? How did Houston’s retreat help the Texas army? His troops were untrained and did not have enough weapons or ammunition. Houston also hoped to draw the enemy forces deeper into Texas.

The Road to San Jacinto The Government moved to Harrisburg.

Building an Army On March 25, Houston heard about Goliad. Houston’s force had grown to about 1,200 men, but many now left to be with their families. On March 30, Houston’s troops made camp on the Brazos River near present-day Hempstead. For two weeks they trained. After weeks of retreating, however, they were frustrated because they wanted to fight, not train—especially the Texans who had joined the army to defend their homes and families. President David G. sent Secretary of War Thomas Rusk to evaluate the situation. After discussing it with Houston Rusk was satisfied, and supported Houston blocking any further criticism.

The Mexican Pursuit On April 7, 1836, Santa Anna’s army reached the Brazos. Texan troops on the opposite shore prevented the Mexican army from crossing. After several days, Santa Anna headed south to capture the Texan government, then located at Harrisburg. (which moved to New Washington on Galveston Island before he could reach them.) April 11, 1836, the Twin Sisters (cannons) arrived from Cincinnati, Ohio, Texas President Burnet’s hometown, adding to the much needed artillery.

Predicting How might the capture of the Texas government have affected the Texans’ cause? The Mexicans’ capture of the government would have been a severe setback, possibly ending the Texans’ independence movement.

1. Use the word barricade in a sentence about preparing for a battle. 2. Describing Describe the condition of the army Houston found upon arriving at Gonzales. TEKS: 3B, 21B 3. Analyzing Who was pressuring Sam Houston to stop retreating and fight, and why did Houston continue to retreat despite the objections he faced? 4. Identifying What was the Runaway Scrape? 5. Explaining Did President David G. Burnet approve of Houston’s command of the army? What actions did Burnet take concerning Houston and why? 6. Defending Defend Secretary of War Thomas Rusk’s decision to support Houston. 7. What would a volunteer from outside of Texas who is marching with Sam Houston and the Texas army describe.

1. Use the word barricade in a sentence about preparing for a battle. Soldiers often set up a barricade between themselves and the opposing army before a battle. 2. Describing Describe the condition of the army Houston found upon arriving at Gonzales. Houston found a ragtag group of fewer than 400 men, some who had no guns or ammunition. 3. Analyzing Who was pressuring Sam Houston to stop retreating and fight, and why did Houston continue to retreat despite the objections he faced? Both the army volunteers and the Texan government wanted Houston to engage Santa Anna’s troops. Houston felt he needed time to recruit, train, and equip his troops to have a chance of winning. 4. Identifying What was the Runaway Scrape? It is the name for the flight of hundreds of Texan civilians because of the oncoming Mexican army. 5. Explaining Did President David G. Burnet approve of Houston’s command of the army? What actions did Burnet take concerning Houston and why? Burnet thought Houston had to stop retreating and fight Santa Anna, instead. He sent Secretary of War Thomas Rusk to take over the army if Houston would not fight. 6. Defending Defend Secretary of War Thomas Rusk’s decision to support Houston. Possible answer: Rusk allowed Houston to explain his actions so far and his plans. Houston was preparing the army to fight and gaining time to make it larger and better trained. 7. NARRATIVE WRITING You are a volunteer from outside of Texas who is marching with Sam Houston and the Texas army. Write a letter to your family explaining what you are seeing on your march and what life is like in the Texas army. Students’ letters should describe what conditions were like in the Texas army and the events that occurred during this time. Letters might include descriptions of the lack of food and ammunition, and the untrained and small force. They might also describe the retreat and the dissension about it.

Battle San Jacinto With his army trained, Sam Houston attacked the Mexicans at San Jacinto and secured Texan independence.

Before the Battle What factors determined the outcome of the Battle of San Jacinto?

Soldiers All On April 18, 1836, Texan scout Deaf Smith told General Sam Houston that the Mexican army was moving toward the San Jacinto River. 

Drawing Inferences Why was Santa Anna confident that the Texans would not attack? Texan forces had largely fought on the defensive up to this point, and the main army had spent weeks retreating and training without engaging the Mexican troops directly.

A Texan Victory How did the Texans win the Battle of San Jacinto?

The Armies Prepare On April m18, 1836, Texan Scout Deaf Smith reported to that the Mexican army was moving toward the San Jacinto River, having already crossed the bridge at Vince’s Bayou (the only bridge.) As a consequence on April 19, Houston set up camp in a grove of oak trees protected by rising ground along the banks of Buffalo Bayou where it joined the San Jacinto River which would shielded the Texans from view. Houston’s army was just over 900 men, his small Calvary and cannons faced the prairie.

Preparing Santa Anna and army were camped on a hillside with marsh and swamps to the right and rear, about ¾ of a mile from the Texans. Santa Anna was awaiting reinforcements. A small skirmish occurred on the afternoon of April 20; however both sides where not ready to for the big fight. Houston wanted his troops to rest after 2 1/2 days of marching. Notables included Juan Seguin and a company of Tejanos and Mirabeau LaMarr who was in charge of the Calvary.

Drawing Inferences Why was Santa Anna confident that the Texans would not attack? Texan forces had largely fought on the defensive up to this point, and the main army had spent weeks retreating and training without engaging the Mexican troops directly.

A Decision to Fight On April 21, 1836, the Texans could see the Mexican Army, however the Mexican Army could not see them over their barricades. In the morning General Cos arrived with 540 men, increasing the size to about 1,300 men. Santa Anna gave them a siesta to rest from the march. Houston sent Deaf Smith and a few others to destroy the bridge and prevent more reinforcements from reaching Santa Anna. Houston called a war council. He announced his plan to attach the following day however the soldiers did not want to wait and insisted on a vote, each company voted to fight that day.

“Remember the Alamo!” “Remember Goliad!” About 3:30 pm Santa Anna was surprised by the attack. Texans attacked shouting, “Remember the Alamo!” “Remember Goliad!” The Texans entered the Mexican camp firing their cannons and guns. Many of the resting Mexicans were killed, others surrendered, or tried to run away. Houston was wounded and Santa Anna escaped. Another Mexican army official surrendered the Mexican army.

A Brief Fight Texans had light casualties, fewer than 10 Texans were killed or fatally wounded in the fighting. Thirty others were wounded, including Houston who suffered an ankle injury. Mexican losses were much greater. In his report to President Burnet, Houston listed 630 Mexicans killed with another 730 taken prisoner, although those numbers may have been high.  The next day the prisoners included Santa Anna, who had slipped away during the fighting. He was found dressed in the uniform of a common soldier. The Texans did not recognize him, but his own men did. The defeated Mexican general was taken to Houston, who was resting under an oak tree.  He did not execute Santa Anna. He was better alive than dead. Houston forced Santa Anna to withdraw his troops from TX.

The Commanders’ Reports Read the Commander reports…..

Describing What reasons did Santa Anna give for his defeat at San Jacinto? He blamed the defeat on factors such as untrained troops, lack of supplies, and fatigue. There were also no guards to watch for the Texans.

Aftermath of San Jacinto

The Treaties of Velasco: The president of TX Burnet & Santa Anna worked together to negotiate a peace treaty. They signed 2 treaties of Velasco on May 14, 1836. One was for the world to see, the other a secret. The treaty stated: The war was over. MX must withdraw from TX and never attack TX again. The Mexican army was to retreat South of the Rio Grande River. Each side was to release all prisoners captured in the war. 15

What factors determined the outcome of the Battle of San Jacinto?

Going Home The happy news of the victory at San Jacinto spread throughout Texas. Houston sent word to settlers who had fled during the Runaway Scrape that they could return home. Santa Anna After the defeat at San Jacinto, Santa Anna was held in Texas for several months. In the fall he was moved to the United States, where he remained for a time. He left for Mexico on a U.S. Navy ship and arrived home in February 1837. Santa Anna would play an important role in the history of the United States again. He commanded Mexican forces during the U.S.-Mexican War. He suffered stinging defeats in that conflict as well.

Inferring Why did Santa Anna agree to the secret treaty made at Velasco? The terms of that treaty guaranteed his freedom and return to Mexico.

Lesson 2 Review 1. Use the terms siesta and casualties in a sentence about the Battle of San Jacinto. 2. Explaining How did the Texans reach the decision to attack on the day of the Battle of San Jacinto? 3. Drawing Conclusions Why might Sam Houston have decided to stop retreating and face the enemy at San Jacinto? 4. Explaining What disadvantages did the Mexicans face at the start of the Battle of San Jacinto? 5. Citing Text Evidence Why were the Texans able to defeat the larger Mexican force at the Battle of San Jacinto? 6. Summarizing What were the terms of the two Treaties of Velasco? 7. NARRATIVE WRITING Write a newspaper article describing the course of the Battle of San Jacinto.

Lesson 2 Review 1. Use the terms siesta and casualties in a sentence about the Battle of San Jacinto. Sample answer: The Mexican army was taking its afternoon siesta when the Texans attacked, and because they were surprised, the Mexicans had many casualties. 2. Explaining How did the Texans reach the decision to attack on the day of the Battle of San Jacinto? Houston planned to attack the next day, but the men were impatient and insisted on voting to determine the timing. 3. Drawing Conclusions Why might Sam Houston have decided to stop retreating and face the enemy at San Jacinto? He felt his troops were finally trained well enough to win. 4. Explaining What disadvantages did the Mexicans face at the start of the Battle of San Jacinto? The Mexican forces were unprepared for battle. The Texans were too close for the Mexican artillery to be useful. 5. Citing Text Evidence Why were the Texans able to defeat the larger Mexican force at the Battle of San Jacinto? Because the Texan forces had been retreating for weeks, the Mexican army was surprised at San Jacinto. The Mexican forces were not coordinated, and some surrendered or fled on their own when they did not receive clear orders. 6. Summarizing What were the terms of the two Treaties of Velasco? In the public treaty Santa Anna promised never again to fight against Texas, said he would withdraw all Mexican troops from Texas immediately, and agreed to return all property seized from Texans. Both side also agreed to exchange prisoners of war. In the secret treaty, the Texans agreed to free Santa Anna, and he agreed to try to convince Mexico’s government to recognize the independence of Texas and set the border at the Rio Grande.

7. NARRATIVE WRITING Write a newspaper article describing the course of the Battle of San Jacinto.