Battle of San Jacinto, Texas

The Battle of San Jacinto, a fleeting yet monumental clash, unfolded on April 21, 1836, as the conclusive engagement in the Texas Revolution. In a mere 18 minutes, the Texan forces secured a decisive victory against Mexico, forever altering the course of history. The ramifications of this triumph reverberated far beyond the immediate battlefield, ultimately paving the way for Texas’s independence and fueling the westward expansion of the United States.

The annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845 served as a direct catalyst for the Mexican-American War. The resolution of that conflict resulted in Mexico’s cession of vast territories, including the American Southwest and California, to the United States. Today, the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site and Monument stand as a testament to this pivotal battle, commemorating the Texan victory and its profound impact on the trajectory of American history. This hallowed ground, now designated as a National Historic Landmark, serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the enduring legacy of the Battle of San Jacinto.

Following Mexico’s hard-won independence from Spain in 1821, the nascent Republic of Mexico extended a welcoming hand to American immigrants, encouraging them to settle in the region of Texas, then a part of the Mexican State of Coahuila y Tejas. Enticed by the promise of affordable land, settlers from the United States flocked to Texas, leading to a significant demographic shift. By 1830, the American population in Texas swelled to approximately 25,000, substantially outnumbering the Mexican population. This demographic imbalance sparked growing concern within the Mexican government, prompting them to re-evaluate their policies and seek ways to safeguard their territorial claims to this burgeoning frontier. The rising tensions between the Mexican government and the American settlers culminated in 1830, when Mexico prohibited further American immigration to Texas, a move that further inflamed the already simmering discontent. The Battle of San Jacinto would eventually become the culmination of these tensions.

Over the subsequent five years, a growing sense of dissatisfaction festered among Texans of both American and Mexican descent, fueled by a multitude of grievances against the Mexican government. For some American settlers, Mexico’s prohibition of slavery was a major point of contention, while others chafed under Mexican law, which denied them many of the rights and freedoms they had enjoyed in the United States. The absence of fundamental rights such as trial by jury and freedom of religion, which were deeply ingrained in the American consciousness, further fueled their resentment. Moreover, the Mexican government’s decision to increase property taxes in Texas and impose tariffs on goods imported from the United States added to the growing discontent. These multifaceted grievances, simmering beneath the surface, would eventually erupt into open rebellion, culminating in the decisive Battle of San Jacinto.

The simmering tensions finally reached a boiling point in 1835 with the rise of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the newly elected President of Mexico. In a move that sent shockwaves throughout the nation, Santa Anna dissolved Mexico’s federal Constitution of 1824, a cornerstone of the country’s legal framework. By dismantling the Constitution, Santa Anna consolidated power in his own hands, effectively dismantling Mexico’s Congress and state legislatures. This audacious power grab ignited outrage among Texans of both American and Mexican heritage, who viewed it as a blatant assault on their rights and freedoms. The Battle of San Jacinto became increasingly inevitable.

By October of 1835, Texans, united by their shared grievances, organized a rebellion against the Mexican government, marking the official commencement of the Texas Revolution. Five months later, on March 2, 1836, delegates convened at Washington-on-the-Brazos, where they solemnly signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. This historic document, echoing the spirit of American democratic principles, mirrored the United States Declaration of Independence, formally declaring the independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico. The signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence was a watershed moment in the struggle for Texan independence, setting the stage for the final, decisive showdown at the Battle of San Jacinto.

The signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence was an important stride towards the establishment of a Republic of Texas, independent from Mexico. However, March of 1836 was a challenging month for General Samuel Houston, the Commander-in-Chief of the Texas forces. Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna commanded three armies, totaling roughly 5,500 men, moving north to squash the revolts. Santa Anna’s armies killed and defeated Texans throughout the month at settlements such as San Antonio de Bexar, Agua Dulce, Refugio, and Victoria. The largest and most upsetting of these defeats were the massacres at the Alamo (March 6) and Goliad (March 27). The annihilation of Texans at the hands of the Mexican army both enraged and frightened Houston’s men. Some of the troops fled to assist their families before the advancing Mexican army reached them in what became known as the “Runaway Scrape,” while others continued the fight, fueled by feelings of revenge.

Houston slowly retreated to the east throughout March, realizing that his army was small and had only meager provisions. He spent the end of March and the beginning of April training recruits into a semblance of a disciplined army. By April 18, Houston began to move strategically when documents captured from a Mexican courier revealed that Santa Anna had isolated himself from most of his troops and only had about 750 men (slightly smaller than Houston’s 820 men). The intercepted documents also revealed that Santa Anna planned to move east to pursue interim Texas President David G. Burnet and other Texas government officials. These officials had avoided Santa Anna in Harrisburg (an extinct town about 11 miles west of the San Jacinto Battleground).

Houston anticipated that Santa Anna would next cross the San Jacinto River, where it joins Buffalo Bayou at Lynch’s Ferry. Feeling confident that their chance had come, Houston and his troops crossed south of the Buffalo Bayou and proceeded in the vicinity of Lynch’s Ferry. Houston established a camp in the woods slightly north of the ferry to wait for Santa Anna on the morning of April 20, 1836.

As expected, on April 20, 1836, Santa Anna took his position where the San Jacinto River joined Buffalo Bayou, setting up camp in a position slightly south and east of Houston’s forces. On the morning of April 21, Santa Anna’s forces swelled from 600 men to 1,200 men as his brother-in-law’s forces joined his troops as reinforcements by crossing the bridge over the Brazos River. Santa Anna had expected Houston to attack on the morning of the 21st, and when he did not, permitted his now numerous Mexican troops to relax, eat, and sleep.

Houston was dismayed at Santa Anna’s reinforcements and ordered the destruction of the bridge crossing the Brazos River to prevent further swelling of Mexican troops. This also prevented retreat by both the Mexican and Texan armies. By that afternoon, Houston had a battle plan. He sent out three forces – the main frontal force advanced quietly, hoping to take the Mexican army by surprise, as two other forces circled around the left and right flanks of the Mexican camp. Houston’s men got within 200-300 yards of the Mexican camp before the Mexicans detected them.

As the Texans attacked, they chanted, “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!” At the end of the violent battle that lasted only 18 minutes, the Mexican Army surrendered. Caught off guard by the bold broad-daylight attack, the Mexican Army hardly had time to respond. Nine Texans died, and only 30 more suffered wounds, while the Mexican losses totaled 630 killed, 208 injured, and 730 taken prisoner.

Santa Anna ordered his troops to withdraw from Texas. The Texans captured Santa Anna disguised as a Mexican private the following day. On May 14, 1836, Presidents David G. Burnet and Santa Anna signed the public and private treaties of Velasco, confirming Mexican retreat and declaring an end to the war. However, Mexico did not formally recognize Texas independence until the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War in 1848.

Today, visitors to San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site and Monument can take a walking tour of the battleground to see where significant events leading to Texas independence occurred. San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site includes the San Jacinto Monument, the world’s largest column memorial (taller than the Washington Monument by 12 feet). Constructed between April 21, 1936, and April 21, 1939, the Monument serves as a memorial to all of those who fought in the Battle of San Jacinto and to all others who contributed to the independence of Texas. A large star atop the Monument symbolizes the Lone Star State, while friezes along the Monument’s base depict eight significant periods in the history of the Republic of Texas. The San Jacinto Museum of History is at the base of the Monument and offers information on the San Jacinto Battle and the history of Texas and the Spanish Southwest. The museum promotes friendship between Texas, Mexico, Spain, France, and Latin America.