The Day of San Jacinto

April 21, 1836. Sam Houston’s army of some 800 Texans charged across the sloping plains of San Jacinto (near Houston). They quickly destroyed the Mexican troops led by El Presidente Santa Anna. Texas gained its freedom from Mexico. The fighting lasted but eighteen minutes.

A story once well-known to school children in Texas, the Day of San Jacinto approaches the legend of The Alamo. The rout of the Mexican army. Houston’s wound – left or right ankle? Santa Anna’s attempted escape in disguise, and his accidental capture. Was Emily West the Yellow Rose of Texas?

And the rag-tag Texan army that defeated seasoned Mexican regulars. Here’s Noah Smithwick’s description:

Our only arms were Bowie knives and long single-barreled, muzzle-loading flintlock rifles. Buckskin breeches were the nearest approach to uniform, some being new and soft and yellow, others had become hard and black and shiny. Boots were an unknown quantity; some wore shoes and some moccasins. Here a broad-brimmed sombrero overshadowed the military cap at it’s side; here a beegum beside a coonskin cap with the tail hanging down. A big American horse loomed above a nimble Spanish pony; a half-tame mustang pranced beside a sober, methodical mule. Here a shaggy buffalo robe contrasted with a gaily checkered counterpane.

Is April 21 still a holiday in Texas? Is it still taught in Texas schools? Do the banks still close on that date? (Well, this year it falls on a Saturday, but still…)

Dac Crossley
April 18, 2012

“Some of them were for Independence, some for the Mexican Constitution of 1824, and some were for anything, just so it was a row.” – Private Noah Smithwick

Comments

[Susanne Drazic]

Stopping by to say hello! Interesting post.

[Eileen Obser]

I love all this history you provide for us, Dac. I loved history in school but didn't remember about Sam Houston's army and that April 21 battle.

[Augie]

Dac thank you for reminding us about Americana, I'm sure many schools no longer teach as we were once taught. Keep on writing and taking us back to a time of this country's vast wealth of history even though we are not very old (as the Greeks and other cultures). You're doing a phenomenal job. Augie

[Celia Yeary]

Nothing closes, and all our kids learn about Mexico is Cinco de Mayo, and it's not even a Texas nor US holiday. Ah, well, it does provide music, food, and fun all day.
Did you read about the young man last month who urinated on the Alamo. He is in deep trouble right now. I don't know who caught him, but if one of the Daughters did, she'd turn him over her knee for a good paddling.

[Mike Long]

I love your stuff, Dac. Keep it coming.

[Caroline Clemmons]

Thanks for the reminder, Dac. Isn't that also the day we plant a tree for Earth Day?

[Luella b. Wheeler-Bell]

I remember. No, banks don't close.
But my Texas flag will fly!

[Bill Stroud]

See, Dac, now you've gone and done it. I'm actually going to have to do my own research just to answer the posed questions.