Houston’s army defeats Santa Anna
(written as a newpaper article)
From the El Paso Times (during the Sesqui-centennnial)
by Ed Pass
San Jacinto, Texas, April 21, 1836
Here, where the land meets the sea. Gen Sam Houston’s Army of 783 men has defeated and put to rout Mexico’s Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his military force of about 1,200 men.
The Lone Star flag of Texas, and no other, flies over the newly-born republic as the sun sets on this glorious day.
Two Texans were killed and about 30 wounded. Mexican loses were heavy— 630 dead and 700 prisioners.
Somewhere in the marshes at land’s end, where there is no escape, Santa Anna, Mexico’s dictator-president, is in hiding.
The Texans expect to find the general tomorrow and establish surrender terms.
The victorious battle climaxes a long retreat by Houston from Gonzales, across swollen rivers, as he sought the right place and time to recoil. He found them here.
Santa Anna had outrun the main body of his army hoping to capture the Texas government at Harrisburg. President David Burnett and his cabinet fled in the nick of time to Galveston Island.
Santa Anna burned Harrisburg, then moved his army over Vince’s Bridge that crosses a bayou. When Houston learned of this move, he ordered his troops across the bridge and marched them to within less than a mile of the Mexicans.
At 9:00AM this morning (April 21), 540 men under Gen. Martin Perfecto de Cos crossed Vince’s bridge to join Santa Anna. Houston dispatched Erastus “Deaf” Smith to destroy the bridge, thereby preventing more arrivals or retreat by either side.
For Texans, this meant victory or death.
At 3:30PM today, Houston paraded his troops, telling them the time of battle was at hand. The infantry formed a line 1,000 yards across. Artillery and cavalry flanked them. Somebody in the line held a flag — a five-point blue star on a white field — Proclaiming in Latin “where liberty lives, there is our homeland”.
A German with a fife struck up a tune. “Come to the Bower”, as a black man beat a drum. Houston, on horseback, commanded: “Forward — Texas” as he drew his sword. The Twin Sisters — two cannon given by the people of Cincinnati — were poised.
Col. Sydney Sherman, on the left flank, cried, “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!”
Others picked up the chant as they advanced up a small rise of land shielding them from the enemy. Then they charged as the cannon blew away a bulwark of baggage and saddles. Caught in siesta and without sentries, the Mexican army was in panic. The Texans were amoung them before they could strike a formation.
Houston had 2 horses shot from under him and a rifle ball hit his foot.
In 18 minutes, the fighting was over. The following silence was like an anthem.
I've heard of that bridge.