First of all, a word about how to pronounce the name. Really we
should call it "Sahn-ha-SEEN, toe," since it comes from Spanish, but we
Texans have corrupted it into "San-juh-SIN-tuh." Literally it means
"Saint Hyacinth." It is a name applied to a river which was discovered
by the Spanish explorers in 1746, on August 17, Saint Hyacinth's Day. They
found the stream so choked with hyacinths that crossing was next to impossible.
After cutting their way through, they named the stream SAN JACINTO
in honor of Saint Hyacinth. This river now forms part of the Ship Channel
between Houston and Galveston.
Texas had been claimed by the Spaniards ever since Piñeda mapped
the coastline in 1519, but after three centuries, in 1810, the Mexicans
began their struggle for independence from Spain; then just 26 years later,
on March 2, 1836, the Texans in turn declared their independence from Mexico.
General Antonio López de Santa-Anna had come into Texas with an
army and was marching in pursuit of General Sam Houston, who appeared to
be retreating toward the Sabine. Suddenly, though, he made a stand
on the bank of the San Jacinto River, on April 21, 1836.
Some Mexican historians have commented that Sam Houston conducted the
whole affair in a very unsportsmanlike manner. In the first place,
he chose to launch his attack during the siesta hour, while most of the
Mexicans were asleep. That is, all except General Santa-Anna.
He was engaged in another Mexican custom: entertaining a young lady
in his tent.
Champagne cases were stacked outside the entrance to the gaudy marquee,
and inside "His Most Serene Highness, the Napoleon of the West," was busily
engaged with a comely mulatto girl named Emily whom he had confiscated
from Colonel James Morgan when he burned the plantation at Morgan's Point.
The tent was equipped with an eye to functional elegance: silver serving
dishes, exquisite crystal stemware, silk sheets, plush carpeting, and--over
in the corner--the champagne cycle was completed with a silver chamber
pot.
However, it must have been the temptation of those silken sheets that
proved his undoing. How else can we account for the fact that Santa-Anna
escaped from the battlefield clad only in his "drawers and red slippers"?
He fled at the beginning of Sam Houston's surprise attack, leaving the Mexican army without leadership and totally demoralized.
Thus it was that Emily, Colonel Morgan's indentured servant, became
a heroine in Texas history by delaying Santa-Anna so long in his tent that
the Texans won a complete victory at San Jacinto. This incident inspired
a folk song that became extremely popular. In one version the girl is called
"Emily, the Maid of Morgan's Point." It is better known today as
"The Yellow Rose of Texas."
The Texans caught the entire Mexican army completely by surprise.
The battle cry was: "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!"
General Houston stated in his official report
"The conflict lasted about eighteen minutes from the time of close
action until we were in possession of the enemy's encampment, taking one
piece of cannon (loaded), four stands of colors, all their camp equipage,
stores, and baggage. Our cavalry had charged and routed the enemy
upon the right, and given pursuit to the fugitives, which did not cease
until they arrived at the bridge which I have mentioned before--Captain
Karnes, always among the foremost in danger, commanding the pursuers.
The conflict in the breastwork lasted but a few moments; many of the troops
encountered hand to hand, and, not having the advantage
of bayonets on our side, our riflemen used their pieces as war-clubs, breaking
many of them off at the breach. The rout commenced at half-past four,
and the pursuit by the main army continued until twilight. A guard
was then left in charge of the enemy's encampment, and our army returned
with their killed and wounded. In the battle, our loss was two killed and
twenty-three wounded, six of them mortally. The enemy's loss
was six hundred and thirty killed, among whom was one general officer,
four colonels, two lieutenant colonels, five captains, twelve lieutenants;
wounded two hundred and eight, of which were five colonels, three lieutenant-colonels,
two second lieutenant-colonels, seven captains, one cadet; prisoners seven
hundred and thirty. ..."
In editing the PAPERS CONCERNING ROBERTSON'S COLONY IN TEXAS we have
come across two documents which give accounts of the battle from the point
of view of the individual participants. The first is a letter written
four days after General Houston's official report, by Robert M. Coleman,
who was serving as an aid-de-camp on Hoston's staff. Addressed to Joel
Moor, John Caldwell, A. Perry, and others at Robbins' Ferry on the Trinity,
it reads as follows:
"Dear Friends
Fearing the several communications transmitted by me to you may have failed to reach you, I thought proper to dispatch D. W. Bennett (my special messenger) that you may be informed of the victory achieved by the Americans over San Taana [Santa-Anna] and his forces, on the 21st of the present month. Being much engaged, I will now only give to you the particulars of that engagement as well as the particulars of a skirmish fought on the day previous, leaving you to receive of Bennett general details. We reached this place on the 20th about 12 oclock (perhaps earlier); saw the enemies advance, and drove them. Their main Body soon appeared in View, and soon began to skirmish with our advance. This kind of fighting lasted the remainder of the day but few were killed several wounded, among whom Col. Nail of Colorado & Mr. Wood ... of Brassos Mr. Frost & others. The app[roach] of night put a stop to the fight[ing.] We maintained our position. The Mexicans drew off and encamped within one mile. each army arrose on the morning of the 21st gay and full of fight. We occupied the fore part of the day reconnoitering the camp of the enemy and preparing for action. after late dinner we marched out and attacked the Lion in his den and in 10 minutes carried his works, and put his army to flight his force amounted to 1500 & ours to 800. We killed of the ene[m]y near 600 we lost 3 dead on the field Their wounded is near 150 our wounded amounted to 24, four of whom have since died, no others dangerous and some slightly touched. Our prisoners amount to 600, or more among whom are San Taana, Cap. Almonte, and many other officers most of whom I took with a few men, having headed them on the retreat. I give it as my de[ci]ded opinion that the war has ended. [Tho]se who wish to return to their homes [ca]n in my opinion safely do so San [Ta]anna pledges himself to have the Independence of Texas recognized by the Mexican republic. he has ordered his troops out of Texas. We are waiting now to see our President, who will be here in two days. I advise you all to return to your homes without delay. We should if possible make corn this year, as there is much land planted on Colorado [and some] persons who cannot return in time to [at]tend to it. I should be glad that ... Joel Moor and others, of [that] company could find it convenient to return to that place and cultivate the land that is already planted. You must however exercise your ow[n] judgement to a certain extent, as I cannot say certainly what is best. apprise me immediately of what you do I hope you will act in concert. I hope to be with you in a few days. Write me and fail not.
"I there joined a detachment of mounted men, and went on a reconnoitering trip, in pursuit of Sesma, and Filisola, on their retreat out of the country.--From every appearance presented, by scattered baggage, muskets thrown away, and mules left bogged in the mud, the panic appeared even greater, than among the fugitives; from the field of battle. They left fifty mules, and fourteen baggage wagons, in the mud in the distance of ten miles; buried one piece of cannon, and threw at least one thousand stand of arms in the river San Bernard. When the advance of the detachment came up with them, they said they were getting out of the country, as fast as they could; and would obey the orders of Santa Anna, and go on to Monte Del rey, by the way of San Antonio. We could have taken at least 1000 men of them, with all of their mules, and baggage and cannon, if we had been allowed to do so, but as a treaty was on hand we were ordered not to molest them. If I had had the command, I would have endeavoured to have misconstrued my orders, and at least taken their cannon, and arms from them. They had ten pieces of cannon--six pounders; and an immense quantity of plunder, which they had taken from the houses of the citizens of Texas, after they had left them. Our men were all anxious for the contest; flushed with victory, and full of resentment against the Mexicans. On the other side, the officers and soldiers, were nearly frightened to death; and would have surrendered, in one moment, and I think without the firing of a gun. I have no doubt, General Rusk regrets, that it was not done, as nothing has been done with regard to the treaty; and he is now on his march, after them to San Antonio; at which place I expect, we shall have them to fight, unless we can shew a respectable army. If we do, I think they will acknowledge our independence. Two expresses, in the last two days, have gone on from General Gaines, to the head quarters of the Texan, and Mexican armies. Some think he offers mediation of the United States between the parties, and others that the United States have bought the country.
"... Ever since the war has been going on in Texas I have been
more uneasy about you than ever. I request that you will take care
of yourself and not be too forward in the wars. ...
The members of high society, however, commemorated the event in a more elegant way. For the first anniversary, in 1837, the citizens of Houston organized a San Jacinto Ball, with invitations printed on white satin, and everyone who could get there came. Ladies and gentlemen rode on horseback from distances of fifty or sixty miles, accompanied by men servants and ladies' maids, who had charge of the elegant ball costumes for the occasion, which was recorded as the greatest social and fashion event of the era under the Republic of Texas.
This social trend eventually developed into the Fiesta San Jacinto,
in San Antonio, Texas, where each year, during the week which included
the date Aprl 21, the city was decked out for a spring festival.
More than half a million people took part. The celebration
began on Monday afternoon, with a brief, solemn procession to the
Alamo, and ended on Saturday with a spectacular illuminated night parade
that stretched over two miles.
The Fiesta had a Queen and a King, and the coronation ceremony took
place on Wednesday evening, when the Queen was attended by her princesses
and duchesses, all dazzling in bejeweled sumptuous robes with long trains,
and escorted by the town's most eligible male catches. Tickets for
the Coronation were expensive; the show was not for the common herd, who
did not get a chance to see the Queen until she rode on a gorgeous float
in the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday. That was when the participants
pelted each other with flowers, as a symbolic re-enactment of the Battle
of San Jacinto, and hence the event became known as the Battle of
Flowers Parade.
The defeat of the Mexicans did not go entirely forgiven, however, at
least according to the whimsical imaginings of a North Carolinian who had
come to live in Austin about 1885. His real name was William Sydney
Porter, but most people know him by his pen name of "O. Henry." He
learned of Texas history, and he tasted of Mexican food. These combined
experiences inspired him to write a poem entitled "Tamales" about a Mexican
who left his land and came to Texas in search of revenge. Here is the poem:
This is the reason,
Hark to the wherefore;
Listen and tremble.
One of his ancestors,
Ancient and garlicky
Probably grandfather,
Died with his boots on.
Killed by the Texans,
Texans with big guns,
At San Jacinto.
Died without benefit
of priest or clergy;
Died full of minie balls,
Mescal and pepper.
Don José‚ Calderón
Heard of the tragedy.
Heard of it, thought of it,
Vowed a deep vengeance;
Vowed retribution
On the Americans,
Murderous gringos,
"!Válgame Dios! !Qué
Ladrones, diablos,
Matadores, mentidores,
Carracos y perros!
Voy a matarles,
Con sólo mis manos,
Toditos sin falta."
Thus swore the Hidalgo
Don José‚ Calderón.
He hied him to Austin,
Bought him a basket,
A barrel of pepper,
And another of garlic;
Also a rope he bought,
That was his stock in trade;
Nothing else had he,
Nor was he rated in
Dun or in Bradstreet,
Though he meant business,
Don José‚ Calderón,
Champion of Mexico,
Don José‚ Calderón,
Seeker of vengeance.
With his stout lariat,
Then he caught swiftly
Tomcats and puppy dogs,
Caught them and cooked them,
Don José‚ Calderón,
Vower of vengeance,
Now on the sidewalk
Sits the avenger
Selling tamales to
Innocent purchasers.
Dire is thy vengeance,
Oh, José‚ Calderón,
Pitiless Nemesis
Fearful Redresser
Of the wrongs done to thy
Sainted grandfather.
The Texans, with their victory at San Jacinto, gave birth to a new
nation: the Republic of Texas, and this Republic, in turn, begat
numerous Sons and Daughters. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas
were formally organized in 1891, but, fortunately, they spend their time
chasing ancestors instead of Mexicans.
Then in 1922 came the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and they have an
inner sanctum called the Knights of San Jacinto.
Both the Sons and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas were largely
responsible for the erection, in 1936, of a stone marker on the site of
the Battle of San Jacinto. Naturally they insisted that it be the
tallest stone monument in the world, and it was, at that time--570 feet
high--surmounted by a Texas star weighing 220 tons, but it is not that
high now.
The Houston area has grown at such a rapid rate, and so much water
has been pumped from the subsoil, that the San Jacinto Battleground Park
has become the center of a massive subsidence. The San Jacinto Monument
has already sunk from 3 to 3 and 1/2 feet since it was last surveyed, and
it is continuing to sink at the rate of almost 6 inches a year.
We can say, therefore, that the tendency in Texas to erect memorials to
commemorate victories in war reached its highest point, both literally
and figuratively, in the San Jacinto Monument.
A picture of this monument was featured on the cover of the 1972-73
TEXAS ALMANAC. On the outside walls around the base of the Monument
they placed eight panels of inscriptions, in letters eight inches high,
describing the events which preceded the Battle of San Jacinto, and the
last panel summed up its importance with this statement:
"Measured by its results, San Jacinto was one of the decisive battles
of the world. The freedom of Texas from Mexico won here led to annexation
and to the Mexican War, resulting in the acquisition by the United States
of the States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah,
and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma. Almost one-third of
the present area of the American nation, nearly a million square miles
of territory, changed sovereignty."
For three years after this monument was built, it stood there empty
and unused, but in 1939 the San Jacinto Museum of History Association was
formed, and it signed a contract with the State of Texas to operate a museum
in the huge halls at the base of the Monument. The San Jacinto Museum
of History formally opened its doors with a mammoth celebration on
April 20-21, 1939, with delegates from learned institutions all over the
world in attendance.
One half of the museum space was devoted to the history of Texas under Spain, France, and Mexico, while the other half depicted the Anglo-American phase, from the Texas Declaration of Independence down to the beginning of the Civil War. This marked the beginning of a new trend in Texas historical circles: an organized attempt to understand and interpret our cultural heritage from Spain and Mexico, and to promote friendship instead of stressing the violence, hatred, and bloodshed which resulted from our differences in the past.
The person primarily responsible for creating the San Jacinto Museum
was George A. Hill, Jr., but the seed which bore fruit then had been planted
immediately following the Battle of San Jacinto itself. The Hill
family had adopted and raised one of the Mexican boys who was taken prisoner
in the battle.
A few years later, in 1842, three members of the Hill family were,
in turn, captured on the Mier Expedition, and the youngest, John C. C.
Hill, was adopted by General Ampudia, who sent him to school in Matamoros
and then to Mexico City to Santa-Anna. Later he was sent to the College
of Mines of Mexico and graduated as a civil engineer.
Thus it is easy to see how George A. Hill, Jr., a direct descendant
of James Monroe Hill, who had participated in the Battle of San Jacinto,
had served as Chairman of the Texas Veterans Association committee to locate
the Battle Ground, and as agent to purchase the property for a state park,
should have developed a deep interest in the study of our Spanish and
Mexican heritage.
Thus it is a source of intimate satisfaction to be able to point
out that, whereas the mention of the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto in
1836 conjured up visions of hatred, destruction, and bloodshed, the Alamo
is now associated with the gallant tossing of flowers and the coronation
of beauty, and San Jacinto is a park where people can go for relaxation
to see some of the objects associated with our historical past. To
all those who have worked so hard to bring this about, we owe a generous
debt of gratitude.
Dr. Malcolm D. McLean, Ph.D. and Margaret S. McLean
206 Golden Oaks Drive
Georgetown, Texas 78628-3320
voice: (512) 869-0166 fax: (512) 869-7048
mdmclean@texas.net http://lonestar.texas.net/~mdmclean