While you watch the video, listen for the answers to the following questions:
Who is the person leading the Texan army after the fall of the Alamo?
What event motivated more people to fight?
Where did Houston make his camp for the final battle with Santa Anna's troops?
How long did the Battle of San Jacinto last?
What is the outcome of the battle?
What prevents Congress from annexing (adding) Texas to the United States?
Sam Houston and the small army of Texas retreated eastward following the fall of the Alamo in the spring of 1836. Sam Houston’s men were eager to meet the Mexican Army. They wanted a fight to gain revenge for the Alamo and Goliad.
On the morning of the April 19, the Texian army set up camp on the San Jacinto River. Here, the army prepared their defenses on the edge of a grove of trees. Their rear was protected by trees and the bayou, while before them was an open prairie.
On the following morning, Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna came marching across the prairie. A shot from the Texan's "Twin Sisters" cannons brought him to a sudden halt. Falling back to a clump of trees a quarter of a mile distant, Santa Anna formed in line of battle. Colonel Sidney Sherman, at the head of the Texas cavalry, charged the Mexican army, but accomplished little except to inspire the Texians.
The morning of April the 21st found men from both sides ready for battle. The main forces of the Texas army was about 750 men. They faced an army of over 1500 Mexican soldiers. Early in the morning, Houston sent Deaf Smith, a Texas spy, with two or three men, to destroy Vince's bridge over which the Mexican army had passed. This cut off the Mexican’s only escape route. However, Houston did not attack in the morning, he waited until mid-afternoon, when the Mexican army, tired from their forced march, rested.
When Houston's long awaited order to advance was given at 4:30 pm, the Texians did not hesitate. When within seventy yards the word "fire" was given, the Texian shouts of "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad" rang along the entire line. The Battle of San Jacinto was over within 18 minutes – the fasted victory for any army in history. 700 Mexicans were killed in the battle with another 730 taken as prisoners. Eleven Texians died, with 30 others, including Houston, wounded.
Santa Anna had disappeared during the battle, and next day General Houston ordered his men to search the surrounding area. In the afternoon a Mexican soldier was caught slipping through the woods toward Vince's Bayou. The Texian soldiers took the captive to camp, and on the way, Mexican prisoners began to shout, "El Presidente!" Santa Anna had been captured dressed as a common soldier! He was brought to General Houston, who lay under a tree due to his wounded foot.
Santa Anna was afraid that he would be immediately executed. He asked Sam Houston for mercy. "What claim have you to mercy?" Houston replied, "when you showed none at the Alamo or at Goliad?" Stephen F. Austin’s nephew helped interpret the conversation between the two leaders. Santa Anna agreed to order his troops to withdraw south of the Rio Grande. The Texians had won their independence at San Jacinto.
Some of the men were sleeping, some cooking, some washing, in short, any situation but that of preparation for battle, when they were pounced upon by us at about 4 o-clock P.M. of the 21st.
Guided Questions: As you read the primary source, look for the answers to these questions.
Which side of the battle do you think the author was on? Was he a Texan or Mexican soldier?
What does this tell us about the Mexican army at the time of the attack?
Your presentation needs to include the following information and address the following questions:
Name of the battle
Date for the battle
Location of the battle
Who is Sam Houston?
Who is Santa Anna?
How long did the battle last?
What did the men yell to motivate them during battle?
What was the outcome of the battle?
Why is this battle important?
Add at least 2 pictures to your google slides that you feel represent this event in some way