The Road to San Jacinto Chapter 12 Section 1
Essential Questions How did TX civilians respond to Santa Anna's continued invasion? How did the TX army respond to Santa Anna's continued invasion?
–The Texan defeats at the Alamo and Goliad allowed Santa Anna to move into TX unopposed –Santa Anna believed the war was over and considered leaving. However, his desire to punish TX was too great. –He began to march deeper in Texas in search of the government. Along the way he burned homes, towns, and crops along the way.
Texas Army –Houston arrived at Gonzales on March 11 and found about 400 men ready to join the fight. –Realizing the army needed training and supplies, Houston began a retreat
Texas Army –With 400 Troops, Houston retreated East toward the Colorado River, hoping to pick up additional men –The army grew to nearly 1,000 volunteers as it moved East
Texan Army –Houston’s soldiers became resentful because their homes were being destroyed and they wanted to fight the Mexican soldiers –Houston believed that his forces were still too weak and needed more time to train.
Panic Causes Runaway Scrape –Fearing the Mexican army would harm them, hundreds of Texas families fled east –Heavy rains, cold, and sickness made the journey miserable
Turn and Talk Essential Question: Essential Question: How did Texas civilians respond to Santa Anna’s continued invasion? Essential Question: Essential Question: How did the Texas army respond to Santa Anna’s continued invasion? Why?
Houston Trains his Army –On March 29, Houston’s army reached the Brazos River –Two companies refused to retreat any farther –Men are getting upset! –Houston left two companies to guard the river crossing
Houston Trains his Army –Houston and the main army moved north along the Brazos to Groce’s Plantation –Houston trained his army for almost 2 weeks
Mexican Army Follows Houston On April 5, Santa Anna crossed the Colorado River and tried to overtake the TexansOn April 5, Santa Anna crossed the Colorado River and tried to overtake the Texans Santa Anna is eager to catch Houston and defeat him…but his troops are slow and wearySanta Anna is eager to catch Houston and defeat him…but his troops are slow and weary
Juan N. Seguin MEXN who supported TX and fought against MEX Helps TX civilians escape Destroys heavy supplies Texans cannot carry Protect Texas Army flanks (sides) and rear as Texans retreat.
Erastus “Deaf” Smith Fluent in Spanish, Smith infiltrates camps in disguise as a Mexican He sends information on Santa Anna’s march route and men’s condition to General Houston
–Houston receives a gift from the people of Cincinnati, Ohio. –Two cannons called the “Twin Sisters” –Texas artillery had been lost at the Alamo, Goliad and during the Runaway Scrape –This gift convinced Houston it was time to fight Mexican Army Follows Houston
Houston turned south towards the San Jacinto River and prepared to fight the Mexican Army.
YozFbY YozFbY Watch from 1:26:45-1:33:30
The Battle of San Jacinto Chapter 12 Section 2
OPTIC
The Eve of Battle The Texas navy controlled the coastal waters Brought supplies to TX army Cut off supplies to Mexican army. *This will play a bigger role later on
The Eve of Battle On April 20, 1836, Texan troops camped on the banks of Buffalo Bayou. Santa Anna’s army moved to the edge of a prairie opposite the Texans. Santa Anna was in a poor position but believed the Texans would not attack.
The Eve of Battle Houston ordered the bridge across Vince’s Bayou destroyed This would make it impossible for either army to retreat Houston called his officers to a council of war, but they disagreed over whether to attack directly or set up a defensive position.
"We view ourselves on the eve of battle. We are nerved for the contest, and must conquer or perish. It is vain to look for present aid: none is at hand. We must now act or abandon all hope! Rally to the standard, and be no longer the scoff of mercenary tongues! Be men, be free men, that your children may bless their father's name." —General Sam Houston, Before the Battle of San Jacinto We must now act or abandon all hope! Rally to the standard, and be no longer the scoff of mercenary tongues! Be men, be free men, that your children may bless their father's name." —General Sam Houston, Before the Battle of San Jacinto
“Remember the Alamo” Around 3:30 in the afternoon of April 21, Houston ordered the Texas army to advance on the Mexican troops who were taking a siesta. The Texans seized the Mexican artillery.
San Jacinto Battlefield – April 21, 1836
“Remember the Alamo” The Mexican camp was in total confusion as soldiers tried to fight and flee. The battle lasted 18 minutes
“Remember the Alamo” The Mexican army suffered heavy losses at San Jacinto. An estimated 630 Mexicans were killed and 730 were taken prisoner, including Santa Anna.
“Remember the Alamo” Houston’s report to President Burnet praised his troops highly for their courage and loyalty. Santa Anna’s report to his superiors explained that the loss was due to the high number of inexperienced recruits.
Treaties of Velasco Santa Anna signed two treaties at Velasco—one public and one secret. The public treaty —Santa Anna promised that Mexican forces would never fight against Texans again and ordered all Mexican forces out of Texas. The TX Navy blocking supplies helped push the Mexicans out quicker
Treaties of Velasco The secret treaty —Santa Anna promised to work for Mexican recognition of Texas independence and Rio Grande as border in exchange for his release.
Victor’s Consequences Many Texans wanted to hang Santa Anna. David G. Burnet, determined to honor the treaty, placed Santa Anna on a ship to return to Mexico This took several weeks because people kept trying to execute Santa Anna
Victory’s Consequences Mexican gov’t called treaties illegal and refused to recognize TX independence This will lead to trouble later on…
Victory’s Consequences Many volunteers from the United States arrived in Texas too late. The Texans had already won the war. Texans were now citizens of the new Republic of Texas.
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