April 21, 1836 San Jacinto River

On this day the Great Runaway Scrape ends.  General Sam Houston and his small army of Texians, approximately 800 volunteers, finally stop retreating and make their stand against the Mexican forces under the command of the president of Mexico, Generalissimo Juan Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana.   General Sam had withstood challenges to his strategy and questions about his manhood.  All to culminate here at a prairie at the junction of Buffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto River.  Deaf Smith and a few others were ordered to destroy the bridge that Santa Ana had just used to prevent any escape. 

The Mexican troops numbering about 1500 had camped across the prairie after encountering the Texian army on the 19th.  They were greeted by a volley from cannon fire from the 'Twin Sisters.'  They were also harassed by Texian cavalry until falling back into the woods with their backs to the river.  The stage was set.

As legend has it on the afternoon of the 21st, while Santa Ana was 'occupied' with the legendary 'Yellow Rose of Texas,'  General Sam gave the order to advance.  There was no hesitation.  When the Texian troops were within 100 yards they opened fire.  The cries of Remember the Alamo!  Remember Goliad! were heard across the battlefield.  The Texian troops took out their frustrations that had been building on the Mexican army that began to flee.  700 Mexican troops were killed and 730 were captured along with Santa Ana.  Thus effectively ended the Texas War of Independence.

Song of Liberty
By William Barton 1836
(for whom Barton's Creek and Springs in Austin is named)

WHEN the locusts of tyranny darkened our land,
And our friends were reduced to a small Spartan band,
When the Alamo reeked with the blood of the brave,
And Mexican faith slept in Goliad's grave;
When our star that had risen so beauteously bright,
Seemed destined to set in thick darkness and night;
'Twas then our proud leader addressed his brave men,
And the Prairies of Texas re-echoed-Amen.

On, on to the conflict, ye Texians brave,
March forward to victory or down to the grave
Let your swords be unsheathed in Liberty's cause,
And your bosoms be bared in defense of your laws
Let your watchword be Fannin, in treachery slain
And Alamo's sons, whose bones whiten the plain
For your friends and your homes let your rifle be aimed,
For your country that's bleeding, exhausted, and maimed:
Go, show to the world that our handful of braves
Can never be conquered by myriads of slaves

'Twas said, and the single-starred banner waved high
O'er the heads of our hero, whose deep slogan cry
Made the cravens of Mexico tremble and cower,
While our bugles rang forth, "Will you come to the bower?"

Happy San Jacinto Day