Today marks the historic battle at San Jacinto when Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna and his army of 1300 and Texas won its independence. Texas had formally declared its independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836.
On the afternoon of April 21, 1836, General Sam Houston and his army of 900 volunteers attacked Santa Anna of Mexico. Sam Houston had been retreating for about six weeks and Santa Anna was not expecting any thing different. The Mexican army bedded down for an afternoon siesta when Sam Houston attacked. Due to the element of surprise, Sam Houston had control of the Mexican camp in eighteen minutes.
Approximately 600 Mexicans were killed, 700 allowed to surrender, with 9 Texans killed or mortally wounded. Sam Houston was shot in the ankle. Santa Anna was captured but was let go after he formally surrendered. About 1/3 of the now existing U.S. changed hands as a result of the Battle of San Jacinto. Texas was a republic for ten years and then petitioned for annexation by the U.S. in 1845.
The monument is 570 feet tall. For more information, visit The San Jacinto Museum of History.
Until next time, God bless.
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