The Runaway Scrape and San Jacinto

Sam Houston takes control After the disasters at the Alamo and Goliad, Sam Houston took control of the Texas Army. He ordered Gonzales burned and the people and his troops to evacuate to the east. He was determined to raise a proper army.

The Runaway Scrape After the fall of the Alamo and Goliad, Santa Anna and Urrea began moving east into the Texian colonies. The settlers panicked. They gathered a few personal possessions, abandoned their homes, and headed east under the most difficult conditions. Rain and cold weather during the period slowed the settler's eastward progress along the muddy roads and trails.

The Runaway Scrape would last all of March and April of 1836. Houston marched his troops to the east closer and closer to Louisiana. Houston believed that the United States Army stationed there may aide him, possibly even get into a fight with Mexican troops, causing the U.S. to declare war on Mexico. However, this did NOT happen!

As Houston went east his army grew As Houston went east his army grew. More and more volunteers from the Texians settlers and U.S. joined him. As his army fled they also burned crops and cities so the Mexican army couldn’t use them. As they fled more and more people wanted him to fight. But Houston wanted to wait for the perfect opportunity. Houston was able to stop for two weeks to train his army at Groce’s Plantation.

Battle of San Jacinto Santa Anna split from his main army (which was slowing him down) so he could catch up with the Texians. Santa Anna thought he had Houston’s army cornered near Harrisburg (near modern day Houston) and decided to rest and camp his 700 man army on April 19th at San Jacinto creek.

The next day, April 20th, Houston camped his men in the woods nearby and decided the time was right to fight. The same day that Houston wrote his letter, some of his cavalry fought with Santa Anna forces in a brief skirmish. Mirabeau B. Lamar, a private, so distinguished himself that on the next day he was placed in command of the cavalry.

Tejano and San Antonio native would lead the Tejanos in the battle. His father Erasmo Seguin had helped Austin pick out the land for his colony Seguin was at the Alamo but left when he carried a letter to Houston. Houston then would not let him return fearing for his life. Seguin fought hard during the runaway scrape to hold back the Mexican Army Juan Seguin

Santa Anna forces were reinforced by General Cos to about 1,400. Houston ordered Deaf Smith to destroy Vince’s Bridge so the Mexicans could receive no more reinforcements.

On the 21st Houston did not attack in the morning which led Santa Anna believe that he would not attack. Cos’ soldiers were tired after marching all night so he decided to let his soldiers rest.

Houston and the Texians attacked at 3p.m.

The Texians shouted “Remember the Alamo!” and “Remember Goliad”

The Mexican troops were caught totally off guard. The Texians overran the Mexican lines and the battle lasted about 18 minutes.

The battle quickly became a slaughter. Most of the Mexican soldiers ran within the first few minutes of the battle and were hunted down by the Texians. Around 600 or more Mexicans were killed and 700 captured. 10 Texians lost their lives.

Santa Anna Santa Anna slipped away during the battle but was spotted among the captured soldiers in a regular uniform when his soldiers started saluting him. He was brought before Houston where most soldiers wanted him executed. Houston spared his life knowing he was more useful alive. He could give Texas Independence.