THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO HELPED SHAPE AMERICA


By bblouin
Battle of San Jacinto

The various battles that have kept America safe are well documented, but there can be times when the warfare that literally shaped our nation is often glossed over. This includes the Battle of San Jacinto. A conflict that would not take place with the U.S. at the time, but rather with the Republic of Texas and the Mexican Republic. However, the events on this fateful day, while brief, would be one of the first dominos instrumental in setting off the Mexican-American War. Read next: The True Military History Behind the Yellow Rose of Texas

When Was the Battle of San Jacinto?

The Battle of San Jacinto took place on April 21, 1836, and it saw General Antonio López de Santa Anna and the Mexican army fighting General Samuel Houston and the Texan Army. Today, the area of La Porte, Texas, and Pasadena, Texas, was where the Battle of San Jacinto took place. After General Santa Anna took over what was then known as the New Washington settlement, they would soon find themselves in combat to defend it. Strategically, it’s a great place to hold when you’re trying to create a settlement, but defending the area can be difficult. This is because the geography isn’t exactly forgiving and involves multiple waterways, which can hinder where troops based on land can navigate. Further complicating things was the fact that General Santa Anna was known to be a collector of fine things, making his convoy anything but quick moving. It also didn’t help Mexico that their leader may or may not have been distracted by the Yellow Rose of Texas. But regardless of the circumstances, when you describe what happened at the Battle of San Jacinto, you’re detailing a group of people ready to fight and die for what they believed was right. It’s also a piece of history that would help shape America forever.

Why Was the Battle of San Jacinto Important?

The Battle of San Jacinto was important because it allowed Texas to separate itself from Mexico. This would also allow the U.S. to continue its movement westward and grow as a nation, especially once Texas joined the United States. Before a single shot was fired at the Battle of San Jacinto, many other battles had been fought for Texan independence. The Texas Revolution came about due to the passing of Siete Leyes by General Santa Anna in his attempt to establish more control in the region and throughout Mexico. It backfired and led both Anglo settlers and Mexicans living in Texas to oppose the way the government was moving. This battle was the culmination of all of it. Today, you can find the San Jacinto Battle Monument and Museum acting as a landmark and preserving the history of the conflict. But it might not be this way if not for sound thinking from General Houston and a little disobedience from his overambitious fighters.

Sam Houston Becomes a Hero Despite Disobedience

There’s no question that the Battle of San Jacinto would solidify General Houston in history as a victor, but there are a lot of mistakes that went in favor of the Texan Army. For starters, the initial skirmishes that broke out before the main conflict weren’t General Houston’s idea. He was trying to hide the full strength of their forces because he knew that Mexico had many more men at their disposal overall. Next, Santa Anna decided to pick a camp that, while close to his opponent, put him at a marked disadvantage. Even his own men disagreed with the decision because not only were they not used to fighting in the marsh, but it was just overall not a great place to be. Furthermore, at this time, the “Remember the Alamo!” motto was alive and well among the men. They were furious and ready to exact revenge, meaning they were hard to control. Against General Houston’s tactics, his men would rush into the grassy portion of land, dividing the two armies. While this attack led to Mexican forces bringing in reinforcements during the night, it ultimately wouldn’t matter. The Texan Army attacked the camp and caused a retreat of Mexican forces; however, they also kept firing. Despite having fewer men, their determination and force were able to dominate the battlefield.

How Long Did the Battle of San Jacinto Last?

The actual battle only lasted around 18 minutes, but Texan forces continued attacking for hours upon hours. It was an overwhelmingly lopsided battle that would see the end of the conflict because of what transpired next. Earlier in the day, General Houston ordered the destruction of Vince's Bridge in order to keep Mexican forces from being able to retreat effectively. Because things went so wrong, so quickly, Santa Anna took off; however, he was eventually captured because of this obstacle. He tried to blend in as just another Mexican fighter, but once he was discovered and captured, the other men that were captured recognized him. This would blow his cover. The Texans wanted an execution, but Santa Anna begged for his life. Negotiations continued for weeks, and eventually, the two sides came to an agreement. This would restore property and power to Texas above the Rio Grande and effectively end the conflict. At least, the formal conflict was ended because while some of Texas was simply conceded, the actual territory at the time included other portions of land that are present-day Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Wyoming. The closer you were to the Rio Grande border, however, the more disputes you'd find between the two parties. These disputes continued even as Texas joined the U.S. in a move that inspired anger throughout Mexico, leading to the Mexican-American War. All in all, this event helped America move west and provided the framework for Texas to join the United States. Texas could be a lot different than the Lone Star State we know today if not for the Battle of San Jacinto. Suggested read:Hispanic Heritage Month Honors Active Duty and Veterans

Image: CBN News


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