John Bridge
04-21-2002, 02:47 PM
It was on this day in 1836 that the Texian Army, headed by General Sam Houston, defeated the Mexican forces of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana at San Jacinto, which lies just east of the modern city of Houston. The victory paved the way for the Republic of Texas, which lasted 12 years until Texas joined the Union.
The Battle of San Jacinto was a prelude for the eventual annexation of nearly half of Mexico's territory into the United States following the conclusion of the Mexican-American War. Mexico ceded all of what is now the U.S. Southwest, including California.
The victory at San Jacinto came as somewhat of a surprise to everyone, including Houston, it seems. The Texians were more or less being chased eastward by Santa Ana's armies. In fact, Houston was headed for Louisianna with the idea of preserving what was left of his Army so that it could fight another day.
For some reason the far superior Mexican forces let their guard down at San Jacinto. Over-confidence? Probably.
In any case, the Texians were able to surprise and rout the Mexicans with little loss in casualties. And a day later Santa Ana himself was captured, effectively ending the Texas War of Independence.
Subsequently, Texas set the boundary between the new Republic and Mexico at the Rio Grande River. Mexico, however, considered the Nueces River, somewhat to the north, to be the official boundary. It was this dispute that ultimately led the United States into the War with Mexico.
Conspicuously absent at the Battle of San Jacinto was movie actor John Wayne, "The Duke" having previously fallen at the Alamo. ;)
The Battle of San Jacinto was a prelude for the eventual annexation of nearly half of Mexico's territory into the United States following the conclusion of the Mexican-American War. Mexico ceded all of what is now the U.S. Southwest, including California.
The victory at San Jacinto came as somewhat of a surprise to everyone, including Houston, it seems. The Texians were more or less being chased eastward by Santa Ana's armies. In fact, Houston was headed for Louisianna with the idea of preserving what was left of his Army so that it could fight another day.
For some reason the far superior Mexican forces let their guard down at San Jacinto. Over-confidence? Probably.
In any case, the Texians were able to surprise and rout the Mexicans with little loss in casualties. And a day later Santa Ana himself was captured, effectively ending the Texas War of Independence.
Subsequently, Texas set the boundary between the new Republic and Mexico at the Rio Grande River. Mexico, however, considered the Nueces River, somewhat to the north, to be the official boundary. It was this dispute that ultimately led the United States into the War with Mexico.
Conspicuously absent at the Battle of San Jacinto was movie actor John Wayne, "The Duke" having previously fallen at the Alamo. ;)