The Saga Of The Texas Independence Trail Region

Part 5
~~ The Onslaught Continues ~~

After his crushing slaughter of the defenders of the Alamo, Gen Santa Anna decreed that he would not stop his purge of Texas until Fort Anahuac was rebuilt as the major gateway to Mexico from the United Stated.

On March 14, 1836, at a place known as Colito, Mexican General Urrea and his troops marched eastward. There he encountered Col. James Fannin his 400 Texans, spoiling for a fight. Urrea engaged Fannin in battle. However, Fannin was soon wounded, and hearing his men were also in agony, realized his few soldiers were no match against the overwhelming odds of Urrea’s troops.

Knowing the fate of the defenders of the Alamo, Fannin asked for terms of surrender for himself and his men, so they might live to fight another day. Urrea offered humane treatment of the captives upon their surrender, and promised eventual release of them, so Fannin surrendered. General Urrea directed the prisoners be marched to Goliad for imprisonment. Upon arrival at Goliad, Urrea received a message from Santa Anna.

At Santa Anna’s orders, on March 27, a Palm Sunday, Col. Fannin and his men were marched out, stood in formation, and shot. 342 brave Texans, who for a few brief moments thought they were going home, died. Col. Fannin was among the casualties. The few fortunate souls that escaped the carnage made their way back to General Sam Houston and told of the executions.
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Santa Anna continued his march eastward toward Harrisburg, where the Texans had moved the headquarters of Sam Houston.

Santa Anna had resolved to take Harrisburg, make prisoners of the Texas Officials, and burn the town. He did succeed in burning Harrisburg, but failed to capture any Texans.

Houston and Santa Anna began to exchange skirmishes, but neither side gained any advantages. On the evening of April 20, 1836, Santa Anna retired his army for the night, at a place called San Jacinto, or about 20 miles west of Anahuac.

The next day, Gen. Houston observed Mexican General Cos approaching with reinforcements for Santa Anna. Anta Anna army now numbered about 1600 soldiers.

At 3:00 p. m. on April 21, 1836, Gen. Houston called his men to parade. In a few stirring words, Houston told his army of about 700 brave men who stood before him, that he was about to lead them against Santa Anna’s 1600 troops. The news was gladly received by the Texans.

Quickly, yet quietly, preparations were made. For in the opposite camp, all was quiet. most of the army was taking their afternoon siesta.

And then, Houston and his ragtag army of Texans made the surprise attack on Santa Anna and his army. Amid cries of “Remember the Alamo and remember Goliad” the Texans fought with a savage fury never before seen.

Santa Anna’s soldiers were convinced they were fighting demons and mortals. The Texans allowed no mercy, vowing a bloody sacrifice to the memory of the martyred Travis and all of his men.

The battle lasted only 18 minutes. Houston lost 2 Texans killed, 23 wounded and 6 whose wounds later proved fatal.

Santa Anna lost 630 killed, 208 wounded and 730 prisoners taken. The remainder fled, many drowning in the San Jacinto river, pursued by the Texans.

Santa Anna was captured the next day, disguised as a lowly army private. His capture thus effectively ended Mexican rule in Texas.

On May 14, 1836, a treaty was signed with Santa Anna and Mexico, all prisoners were released, and Mexican troops removed from Texas. From that treaty, the Mexican Government acknowledged the Republic of Texas and Texas’ Independence. Santa Anna was placed on a ship and deported to Tampico Mexico never to return.

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When the Defenders of the Alamo were killed on March 6, 1836, Santa Anna had their bodies burned on a Sabbath. As the sun set on that Sabbath, the smoke from that Funeral Pyre of Heroes ascended to Heaven. From that sacred fire sprang the flames that lighted all of Texas and lit the way for the defeat of Mexico, and the gaining of Texas Independence.

Chambers County is proud to be one of the 28 counties within the Texas Independence Trail Region.

In the Saga of Texas history, from the jailing of Travis at Anahuac, the Turtle Bayou Resolutions, Gonzales, the fallen defenders of the Alamo, including the 3 brothers from Anahuac, to the 342 courageous Texans executed at Goliad, to the final defeat of Santa Anna at San Jacinto, no other period in Texas history is so distinctive as the Battle for Texas Independence.

Across Texas, where those dedicated patriots, who chose their fate to fight and die for freedom, their deeds and those hallowed sites are forever marked in Honor, along and across those 28 counties, The Texas Independence Trail Region

Texas Independence Trail Region

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