Ch. 11 Sec. 2 Victory at San Jacinto
1. Describe where the Texans and the Mexicans camped on the eve of the battle. About
what did some Mexican army officers complain? Why was Santa Anna confident?
Texans: grove of oak trees where Buffalo Bayou and San Jacinto R. meet; a wide open prairie
extended in front of the camp toward Vince’s Bayou
Mexicans: on the edge of the prairie along the San Jacinto R.; about ¾ of a mile from
Houston’s camp; marshland and swamps to the right and the rear of the camp
Mexican officers complained that the camp was in a poor location to fend off an enemy
attack; Santa Anna felt that the Texans would fight on the defensive like they did at the
Alamo
2. What happened on the afternoon of April 20th?
A small skirmish between the Mexican army and Texas cavalry; Mirabeau B. Lamar was a
hero and promoted to overall commander of Texas cavalry
3. How many companies in Houston’s army were made up entirely of Texans? Who
commanded them? What did Houston do to insult them accidently? How did
Houston correct his mistake?
1; Juan Seguin; ordered the 20-30 Tejanos to guard the camp because he didn’t want them to
mistakenly get shot by the Texans; Houston, amazed by their courage, changed his order and
allowed them to join the battle wearing pieces of cardboard in their hatbands so they would
not be confused with Mexican troops
4. How many troops did Santa Anna have after General Cos arrived? What was the
drawback of these troops? What did Santa Anna allow them to do after they arrived?
1390 troops; they were inexperienced; Santa Anna allowed them to eat and rest because they
had marched through the night
5. What did Houston order in the late morning? Why?
Ordered scouts Henry Karnes and “Deaf” Smith to destroy the bridge over Vince’s Bayou to
cut off a possible escape route for the Mexican army
6. What was the disagreement at Houston’s council of war?
Whether to attack the Mexicans directly or to set up a defensive position and wait for an
enemy attack
7. Where did Houston place the “Twin Sisters” when he assembled his men?
In the center of the Texans’ line
8. What popular tune was played as the Texans advanced?
“Will You Come to the Bower?”
9. What were the Mexican troops doing while the Texans were advancing?
Many soldiers were taking their afternoon rest; others were watering their horses in a nearby
stream
10. After the attack began, what did many of the Mexican soldiers do?
Tried to flee from the battle—some across the Bridge on Vince’s Bayou which was destroyed,
others across the open prairie where they were cut down by Lamar and the Texas cavalry
11. How long did the battle last? How many Texans were killed? What happened to
Houston?
18 minutes; fewer than 10; his ankle was shattered by a musket ball
12. How many Mexicans were killed and captured?
630 killed; 730 captured
13. Describe the capture of Santa Anna.
He was founding hiding in the tall grass near the battlefield, dressed as a Mexican private; at
first the Texans didn’t recognize him, but his own men pointed him out; he was taken to meet
Sam Houston who was resting his injured ankle
14. What were some duties of the Texas navy?
Controlled the coastal waters; transported supplies; cut off Mexican supplies
15. How many treaties were signed by Santa Anna? Describe each treaty.
One public and one private treaty both signed by Santa Anna on May 14th, 1836 in Velasco;
PUBLIC: 1) Santa Anna promised to never again fight against Texans, 2) agreed to order all
Mexican troops out of Texas immediately, 3) exchange of Texan and Mexican prisoners of
war, 4) all property taken by the Mexican forces during the war was to be returned to the
rightful owners; PRIVATE: 1) Santa Anna agreed to work for Mexican recognition of Texan
independence, 2) agreed to work to get Mexico to recognize the Rio Grande as the official
boundary between Texas and Mexico, 3) Texas government would release him immediately
and escort him back to Mexico
16. Why did Houston spare Santa Anna’s life?
He wanted to “relieve the country (Texas) of all hostile enemies without further bloodshed,
and to secure his (Santa Anna) acknowledgment our independence.” Later President Burnet
also spared Santa Anna’s life after Texans stopped the ship Invincible and demanded the
execution of Santa Anna, who was on board; Burnet stopped the execution, but the Texans
forced him off the ship and held him prisoner for months before he was eventually allowed to
return to Mexico
17. What were some consequences of the Texans’ victory at San Jacinto?
Texas gained its independence; Santa Anna was captured; Texans could return home