"We view ourselves on the eve of battle. We are nerved for the contest, and must conquer or perish. It is vain to look for present aid: none is at hand. We must now act or abandon all hope! Rally to the standard, and be no longer the scoff of mercenary tongues! Be men, be free men, that your children may bless their father's name."
—General Sam Houston,
before the Battle of San Jacinto |
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San Jacinto was the most decisive battle in the military history of the Western hemisphere. And its leaders were equally as decisive. During the war's prelude, it became apparent that events would soon come to a climax.
And an understandably frantic effort was made to get women, children, and the elderly out of harm's way during the Runaway Scrape.
By the time Mexican and Texian forces camped close to each other on the night of April 20th, few were there by accident. Sam Houston's Texians—under the command of men like Thomas Jefferson Rusk, Juan Seguín, Henry Millard, Mirabeau B. Lamar, Ed Burleson, George Hockley and Sidney Sherman—were eager to fight.
But they weren't crazy.
They knew General Santa Anna's men, led by loyal leaders like Cos, Castrillón, Almonte and Morales overshadowed them in number, equipment, training, and experience. And the Mexican forces understood how far they were from home. The Mexican leaders were eager to establish order within the legal boundaries of their nation and defend their nation's honor.
As the battle unfolded, each commander of the field, no matter how grave his lot, fought for his beliefs and honor. And when the sun rose on Texas independence —and fell upon Mexican Texas—no man there would be the same. Many were casualties. Some were prisoners. Others were declared victors.
Yet all were heroes. |
