City - Houston State - TEXAS Country - United States
About
The battle of San Jacinto was the concluding military event of the Texas Revolution. After his victory at the Alamo, Antonio López de Santa Anna decided to take possession of the Texas coast and seaports. With that object in view he crossed the Brazos River at present Richmond on April 11 and on April 15, 1836, with some 700 men, arrived at Harrisburg. He completely burned down Harrisburg and started in pursuit of the Texas government that had fled to Galveston. The Mexican general then set out for Anahuac by way of Lynchburg. Viewing this strategic situation on the morning of April 19, Houston told his troops that it looked as if they would soon get action and admonished them to remember the massacres at the ALAMO. Shortly before noon, Houston held a council of war then disposed his forces in battle order about 3:30 in the afternoon while all was quiet on the Mexican side during the afternoon siesta. The Texans' movements were screened by trees and the rising ground, and evidently Santa Anna had no lookouts posted. The battle line was formed and the whole line sprang forward on the run with the cry, "Remember the Alamo!" The battle lasted but eighteen minutes. According to Houston's official report, the casualties were 630 Mexicans killed and 730 taken prisoner. Against this, only nine of the 910 Texans were killed or mortally wounded and thirty were wounded less seriously. Houston's ankle was shattered by a rifle ball. The Texans captured a large supply of muskets, pistols, sabers, mules, horses, provisions, clothing, tents, and $12,000 in silver. Santa Anna disappeared during the battle and search parties were sent out on the morning of the 22. The party discovered Santa Anna hiding in the grass. He was dirty and wet and was dressed as a common soldier. The search party did not recognize him until he was addressed as "el presidente" by other Mexican prisoners. The San Jacinto Monument is dedicated "to Heroes of the Battle of San Jacinto and all others who contributed to the independence of Texas." The monument, built 100 years after the battle it honors, is a 570-foot limestone shaft topped by a 34-foot, 220-ton star symbolizing the Lone Star Republic. The building incorporates a number of innovative engineering features not common during the 1936 - 1939 period of its construction. In 1992, this technology was recognized with the prestigious designation of State and National Historic Structure by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Criteria for these awards include significant contributions to state and national heritage and to the civil engineering profession. The building is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the world's tallest stone column memorial. For additional info, please use these links:
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{K:31373} 11/7/2004