San Jacinto's Battle Lasted 18 Minutes; Recognition Took Years

On April 20, 1836, Sam Houston camped near Lynch's Ferry. Santa Anna's smaller force settled about three-quarters of a mile away, and the two sides traded cannon fire. Five hundred more Mexican troops arrived the next morning. Santa Anna then let his tired soldiers eat and rest.

Houston moved that afternoon with about 930 soldiers against roughly 1,250. Trees and rising ground hid the advance until the Texians rushed the camp around 4:30. The fighting ended 18 minutes later. More than 600 Mexican soldiers were killed, most of the rest were captured, and nine Texians died.

Santa Anna escaped dressed as a common soldier but was caught the next day. The paperwork that followed is often told too neatly. On May 14, he signed public and secret agreements at Velasco. The public terms called for an end to fighting and a troop withdrawal. The secret terms asked him to seek Mexican recognition of Texas independence. The Mexican government rejected the agreements, and they never took effect. Mexico did not formally recognize Texas independence until 1848.

The battleground now holds the 567-foot San Jacinto Monument, a museum, and miles of historic ground. The monument was completed in 1939. A driving route, trails, and battlefield tours help put the short battle back onto the coastal prairie where it happened.