After the Siege of Bexar, General Cos agrees to leave Texas with all the Mexican army. They also agree to never fight in Texas again.
In February of 1836, General Santa Anna led a force of about 6,000 Mexican troops into what is now Texas to put down the insurrection. He first entered San Antonio de Béxar and, after a 13-day siege, defeated and slaughtered a Texan force on March 6, 1836 at the Alamo.
After the long eastward retreat from the Mexican Army, known as the “Runaway Scrape,” the Texan Army, under the leadership of General Sam Houston, turned south and crossed the bayous near Vince’s Bridge on April 19, 1836.
They camped in a grove of live oak trees, obscuring the army from view. There the Texians readied themselves for battle and waited for the Mexican army to arrive.
On the afternoon of April 20, a skirmish developed between the Mexican army and the Texan cavalry. The major part of the battle took place on the afternoon of April 21. At first, Houston’s troops of about 800 outnumbered Santa Anna’s army.
On the morning of April 21, 1836, Mexican General Cos arrived on the battlefield with reinforcements for Santa Anna’s army swelling his ranks to more than 1,300 soldiers.
Houston ordered Deaf Smith to burn Vince’s Bridge, which would prevent the Mexican army from retreating. At about 3:00 P.M. as the Mexican army rested for the battle, they expected to occur the next morning, Houston arranged his men on the field.
They marched to the beat of a drummer and three fifers playing “Will You Come to the Bower?” They struck the right flank, or side, of the Mexican army, pushing the troops back into each other all down the line.
Sherman’s soldiers struck first blood from the Mexican army, catching General Cos’ troops asleep or eating in their encampment. Sherman’s Second Regiment quickly overran those troops, who retreated with many of Col. Juan Almonte’s soldiers into the trees and marshes to their rear, along Peggy’s Lake. Sherman’s troops broke the right flank of the Mexican camp, creating disorder.
Caught unprepared for an attack, the Mexican leaders scrambled in confusion. The battle lasted about 18 minutes, but the Texans continued to capture scattered Mexican troops until dark. In the end, the Texans suffered two deaths and 30 wounded, seven of whom died later. About 630 of the Mexican soldiers were killed and 730 captured.
Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, was captured the following day and held as a prisoner of war. General Cos and Santa Anna’s personal secretary, Ramón Caro, were captured over the next two days and were also brought back to the Texian camp as prisoners.
Three weeks later, General Santa Anna signed the peace treaty that dictated that the Mexican army leave the region, acknowledging his own defeat and the successful independence of Texas.
Battle of San Jacinto
