Texan Camp - San Jacinto Battlefield State Historic Site - La Porte, TX
Posted by: 
jhuoni
N 29° 45.223 W 095° 05.394
15R E 297915 N 3293324
In eighteen minutes on the morning of April 22, 1836, the Republic of Texas began.
Waymark Code: WM1144K
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 08/13/2019
Views: 3
This informative sign breaks down the Battle of San Jacinto. (In an extremely abridged version)
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From the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
The Republic of Texas - The Texas Revolution - The Battle of San Jacinto
“The Battle of San Jacinto lasted less than twenty minutes, but it sealed the fate of three republics. Mexico would never regain the lost territory, in spite of sporadic incursions during the 1840s. The United States would go on to acquire not only the Republic of Texas in 1845 but Mexican lands to the west after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican War in 1848.”
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Texan Camp
The Battle of San Jacinto
which began on this spot, earned Texas
its independence and help shape the course of history.
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The Texan Army fought for a variety of reasons, which
were outlined in a Texas Declaration of Independence.
Tensions Mount
Conflicts between Mexico and the Anglo colonists of Texas were rooted in distrust. While Mexico moved to restrict immigration, North American settlers continue to pour over the border illegally. The earliest settlers sign oaths of loyalty, but the newcomers felt no sense of duty to Mexico. In 1835, President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna assumed dictatorial powers and abolished the Constitution of 1824. Anglo colonists then took up arms with Tejanos who were also frustrated with the political changes
Victory at San jacinto cemented Sam Houston’s fame,
and he went on to become the first President
of the Republic of Texas.
Battle Lines Drawn
Santa Anna responded to the Texan rebellion swiftly. He crushed most of their forces in early 1836 and forced the remainder of the army into retreat. The Texas provisional government pushed general Sam Houston towards battle, viewing his strategy of retreat as an unnecessary delay. Houston knew that his untrained troops were no match for the Mexican Army. Victory at San Jacinto was far from certain. While Houston may have had reservations about the attack, he personally led the charge and was among the 30 Texans wounded.
As a direct consequence of the Battle of San jacinto, Mexico lost over half of
its former territory, including all or part of 10 modern U.S. States.
A Lasting Effect
The Battle of San Jacinto was a very important victory for the Texans, but it was the capture of Santa Anna that won the war. With their Commander-In-Chief held hostage, the Mexican Army was forced to withdraw from Texas. However, the Mexican government refused to recognize the new Republic of Texas. United States annexed Texas in 1845, provoking the Mexican-American War. At the war's conclusion in 1848, Mexico reluctantly accepted its losses.
Battle Timeline
1. Texan Army makes camp near a strategic intersection in the early morning of April 20, 1836, the day before the battle.
2. Mexican army arrives a few hours later and makes camp across the plain from the Texans.
3. Calvary skirmishes on afternoon of April 20, 1836. Both sides retreat back to camp.
4. Texans begin their charge on the Mexicans on the afternoon of April 21, 1836.
5. Battle begins here when Sherman's infantry advances around the Mexican breastworks and opens fire on Gen. Cos’s reinforcements.
6. After an 18 - minute fight, Mexican forces are quickly overwhelmed.
7. Texans continue to kill over 600 retreating Mexican soldiers, while only nine Texans died.