ONE WEEK TO HISTORY

[williamlayton]

Where are the Texians?
This date, 1836, They are being chased by three armies of Santa Anna.
His goal: Capture of the newly formed Texas Government who are trying too escape to the Sabine River bordering louisiana and Texas.
Where is the army under General Sam houston? North of Harrisburg (the now, city of Houston).
The plan: Who knows at this moment---Houston may not even have a complete plan, but he advises no one. The troops, as many as 900 but never, according to houston, more than 700 battle ready, are itching for a fight and disgrundled at Houston's seeming retreat.
The outcome will be decided on the 21st but it is going to develope in ways we must study to see how.
Blessings

[williamlayton]

There are some logistics to consider, and, if you want to follow this thread a map will be handy.
Modern maps will give you a somewhat accurate idea of the lay of the land but in these days we are discussing it was bit more primative and Buffalo Bayou is not, today, as it was then.
There was, and still is, a great thicket from near San Augustine, texas to near Present day Beaumont.
This thicket, called the Big Thicket, was impenetral for East-West movement.
South of this thicket is a great bay--the Galveston/Trinity Bay complex.
At this time in history the only primative road is the El Cameno Real---roughly, the HWY 90 you might find on modern maps.
Texas Gulf Coast weather, in these months, are wet and the many bayous are generally swollen to three times normal size.
IT IS MUDDY as only gulf coast gumbo can be----no sand or loam here boys--gumbo clay.
We will investigate.
Blessings

[Oldshooter]

OK William I'm interested (I think I know how this is gonna end     )

[williamlayton]

Not to change the subject, as it is another complete study, this movement by Sam Houston and the Government is known, in history, as The Runaway Scrape.

There is an famous sermon by Anthony Compallo that is titled "It's Friday---but Sundays A'comin." It seems that IT REALLY IS THE DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN. This general chaos was seemingly unraveling Texas, But, Sam Houston.

Santa Anna had spit His three armies. He had no fear. He was a much greater army than The Texians could muster. He had one army sweep the country from Victoria too Galveston, along the coast, in order to prevent and capture the government if it tried to escape by sea.
The army on His left flank was sent in the direction of Nacodoches to eliminate possible reinforcements from the East Texas settlements.
Santa Anna continued a general movement along the El Camino Real with his army.
We are headed too San Jacinto---but no one knows this, including Houston.
It is Friday but Sunday's a'comin.
TEXAS, by GOD.
Blessings 

[williamlayton]

This is not suposed to be a time-line accout, just a telling of a tale.
Santa Anna has devided his forces.
Sam Houston with his little army  is north of Harrisburg, now Houston, and it is small.
Time to understand the geography.
Southeast Texas is built on land that is drained by bayous. These bayous are not static in size, they are however, all the same, they are at sea leave. The tides determine the flow--in or out. Creeks/rivers empty into them but the sea determines the flow.
These bayous run in all different directions, south to north, north too south, east to west, west to east. They determine and block ingress and egress.
If you have an atlas, you can see that Houston is located several miles east of a location where the San Jacinto River converges with a bayou, Buffalo Bayou.
If the atlas is good enough you will notice a number of small bayous which empty into Buffalo Bayou. Sims, White at any rate a number. You will also notice a number of bayous which empty into barious bays and larger bayous. These hamper movement EAST,WEST,NORTH and SOUTH.
Santa Anna has burned harrisburg and he has information that the Texas Government is attempting to cross Galveston/Trinity bay to escape to Anahuac and east too the Sabine.
Santa Anna has sent runners to his Northern flank and Southern flank to converge together.
Blesssings   

[Glanceblamm]

Good Read William and I am looking forward to the next chapters and the conclusion.

In the mean time, I cannot help but think of the U.S. citizens chasing Obama and his crew across the countryside. This was able to happen because Obama got rid of all of our arsonel because of the carbon footprints that they leave. Obama would be at the rear of the chased pack yelling Stop, Stop, We Are Friends!

[williamlayton]

Houston has recieved word that Santa Anna has burned Harrisburg. he has also learned from two captures that Santa Anna has learned that the texas government has fled harrisburg for  Morgans Point (La Porte) and He has crossed to the South side of Buffalo Bayou in hot persuit of this government.
Houston leaves his encampment in Spring Creek to join in the persuit of Santa Anna.
Let us get a lay of the land the battle will be fought on.
Buffalo Bayou begins several miles to the West of harrisburg and meanders easterly to a point where it empties into the San jacinto river.
The SanJacinto River runs from the North to the South. the Junction of this River and Buffalo Bayou is about 2 miles from the Trinity/galveston Bay complex.
The Buffalo bayou is about 100 yards wide before it empties into the San Jacinto.
The Bayou is a sawmp. It is congested with trees and shrubs, snakes, alligators and mosquitos. It does not flow on a regular basis and the water is foul and smelly. It really is not a place for a picnic.
The high ground is about 1000 yards from the Bayou and makes it presence in a small pennisula protruding into Bufffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto river on the North and West side of the Pennisula.
The East side of the battle ground backs up too Peggys Creek and lake---really a swamp and bayou.
Santa Anna has recieved reinforcements from general Cos and he now has better than 1200 men in his army.
General rule the attacker of a fixed position will need a minimum of 3:1 forces to attack.
Blessings 

[williamlayton]

President Burnett is at Morgans point awaiting a steamer too take him too Anahuac as the government of Texas flees East, juts ahead of Santa Anna.
Burnett recieves warning of a troop of Mexicans headed for him.
The goverment commandeers a sloop and is rowing about 40 yards offshore, in Galveston/trinity Bay, when the troops dismount, thereby, just barely escaping.
Houston and his band have just crossed Buffalo Bayou at Harrisburg and are exhausted after a 40 day forced retreat. They stop to rest and resupply.
They are now about 7 miles behind Santa Anna but it will take another three days to move this 7 miles.
The land is muddy and bayous swollen from rain. The troops are dirty and muddy. No help is coming from East Texas, but, Santa Anna is not going to get further reinforcements either.
700 to 1200.
Blessings 

[williamlayton]

The Bayous are out of bank. All of the bridges across Buffalo Bayou in Harrisburg were burned by the Mexicans.
Sam Houstons army has the measels and 200 are left in harrisburg.
The army is forced to cross the Bayou on rafts and swim the horses.
This takes a day and more energy that the little army can afford.
Advance spys have secured a bridge over Vince's Bayou, which is out of banks.

Lay of the land.
From Harrisburg the main tributary, Buffalo Bayou, runs generally east or southeast into the San Jacinto river at Trinity/Galveston bay. Feeding Buffalo Bayou and running fro South to north are several bayou's, all out of bank, which have bridges which need to be secured, Vinces Bayou is the last bridge before San Jacinto AND Santa Anna's only meand of retreat.
Houston's army of 700 is moving East along Buffalo Bayou towards Vince's Bridge.
I don't know about you boys, but I am tired of all this and want top get too the fight. This is the same with houston's army.
Blessings

[williamlayton]

We are coming too conclusion.
Any questions, comments or observations to this point?
Blessings

[Oldshooter]

I keep trying to visualise the setting here, its hard due to the fact that for years I brought vessels into that port, and it dont resemble what you describe  The ship channel and refineries have given the area a different complexion.   But I am intrigued William. Your description of the area at that time is illuminating. I wood love to see that area as it was then.

I havent heard these details in a coons age, but I had always thought Santa Anna had more men. Was there a ferry at Lynchburg then ? If not where was the San Jacinto river crossing to what is now Highlands ? 

[williamlayton]

OS
Buffalo Bayou was a narrow, choked, swampy bayou then. Narrow? Now the ship channel is perhaps a 1000 yards wide, then it was perhaps 200 yards across at flood. It was not a navigitable stream as it is now.
There was and is a ferry at Lynchburg, across the San Jacinto River, just at the convergence of the Bayou.
We are coming too that part of the story.
Blessings

[williamlayton]

Houston and his band of 700/900 have, by the end of today, moved to a position some 1000 yards short of Santa Anna.
The Mexicans own the high ground, well, actuall they are over the horizon on the far side of the high ground.
High Ground?
Buffalo Bayou is at sea level and high ground is about 14'.
The Mexicans are on a prarie---the Texians are in thick undergrowth on the bayou.
Vince's bridge has been siezed and the Lynchburg Ferry will soon be in Texian control.
The Mexicans have now swelled too better than 1400 troops. They have erected a breastwork in front of the the texians---yes they know they are there--- and are prepared for what they know will be a battle. Santa Anna is unafraid and is looking forward too the battle---he is the self-declared Napoleon of the West and his numbers give him reason too swagger.
Houston is having a difficult time holding his boys back.
Tomorrow will be more difficult for Houston.
Blessings

[ironglow]

Bill;
  I just tuned in, but am intrigued...I will follow the tale. Been to San Jacinto battlefield and seen the Texas..but somehow, didn't visualize the fight being that involved with water..but now that you mention it...
   
    I lived for a time, near Beaumont..near a town called Vidor, worked painting high steel ..tanks, towers, bridges & refineries.
  Please..go on with the story...

[williamlayton]

OK. Today is decison day.
There are reports of arriving reinforcements headed for Santa Anna.
There is a bridge, Vince's Bridge and it is the only means of reinforcement. It is also the only means of escape--not only for the Mexicans but the Texians.
Sam Houston has "Deaf" Smith destroy the bridge. They also take the Ferry at Lynchburg and secure it too the far bank.
There is an early engagement with Santa Anna that nearly break out into a general engagement.
Houston calls a council of war. He is having a hard time containing his army. They are tired---tired of being chased across Texas and not allowed to fight.
He knows he must have suprise on his side but tells no one what his plans are.
Houston has Sidney Sherman's Regiment, Edward Burleson's Regiment, George Hockley's artillery----artillery? Two six pounders called the "Twin Sister" and donated by the city of Cincinatti. Hardly seige guns.----Henry Millard's infantry, Mirabeau B Lamar's Calvery and a group of Mexicans under Juan Seguin.
700 men--two hundred left at Harrisburg with measles.
Facing him is Santa Anna with now 1400 men.
There is no way to go, no escape.
Houston's orders are for the men too concecrate theirownselves and be ready for action at a moments notice.
Blessings

[ironglow]

  Great Wm..continue, please. ..But you have opened up a can of worms..tell us about "deaf Smith"..I thought he was a Texian..

[Glanceblamm]

  Great Wm..continue, please. ..But you have opened up a can of worms..tell us about "deaf Smith"..I thought he was a Texian..

Agreed as "deaf Smith" rings a bell for me. I cant quite place my finger on it though.

[Redtail1949]

Keep talking William Layton the story you are telling is one I was raised on. told many times mostly around an old open firelace by my great aunt. As her children grandchildren and many cousins sat around spell bound by the tales of hardship and heroism. As it was one of our kin drew a black bean at goliad and was executed there.

Others in my family were with Houston at San Jacinto and my great great grandfathers brothers captured Santa Anna under a bridge there. It was said that he was on a hunting party out to shoot deer or whatever they could get for the troops to eat. Hand a few others stumbled upon Santa Anna in a privates uniform hiding with others. He was taken to Sam Houstons camp.

Another of my family was on a ship going to join forces with the Texas troops when the ship was captured and the Mexican Navy executed him at sea. Others in my family went on to fight in the Texas Mexican War 1848 then they went on to fight in the Civil War.

So the story you tell is one of great interest to me one that inspired me with the "TEXAS SPIRIT" you might say. It is a story that was required in all school education in the Great State when I was young. The story of the Alamo was related in almost all state school systems  way back then.

Now they either barely mention it or skipp the details altogether. They have tried their best to rip the heart from Texas by doing it. So tell your story it needs to be told.

One of outnumbered and outgunned men who did was thought to be impossible. It is a story of the Brave men from many states like Tennessee Alabama Mississippi as well as others that joined in a fight for what they believed was right. That was Freedom from Tyranny. They fought and died for that and the Great Republic of Texas was formed.

So keep on telling it!

[ironglow]

  Getting better all the time..Redtail adds personal family history..that's good stuff which you can't find in history books, but some of the best info because it is direct..

[williamlayton]

Ol Deaf Smith was a trusted spy for Sam Houston and Texian.
Here is what to think about.
Most had lost friends/relatives at Goliad and the Alamo. All had/have lost something. They have been chased and wanted too fight, there are pent up emotions.
War is hell enough, a mob is worse. Pissed off won't quite describe it all.
This is not a movie--it is real life in real time.
Blessings

[williamlayton]

Here is what is going on this morning as day breaks.
Santa Anna is going to finish off his business with Sam Houston and these Texan's. His plan is for an assault TOMORROW. He knows that the bridge over Vince's Bayou has been burned and that any route of escape for the Texians is lost. He has no fear, he can choose the timeing.
All know where everyone is.
Let's review the rules of action. Common military knowledge for the day, and still today, calls for the agressor force too have a 3:1 superiority in manpower and supplies in order to conquer an entrenched foe.
Sam Houston 700 men, tired men, undersupplied men, two cannon.
Santa Anna has 1400 men, well supplied, rested men and at least 5 cannon. He ownes the high ground. He is the Napoleon of the West.
Day breaks and there is no call too arms by the Texians.
All day they sit waiting.
It is late afternoon, 4:30 PM. The Mexicans have posted no sentry's. The Napoleon of the West is entertaing/being entertained by a young Mulatto slave girl in his tent---The Yellow Rose of Texas. Siesta has broken out all over the Mexican camp.
Whispered calls go out in the Texian camp, a call too arms.
Silently all find their place.
the Twin Sister's are hauled, by hand up the embankment, towards the Mexican camp. Men walk silently in line.
Just before the break on the high ground, a call goes out--"Remeber the Alamo, Remember Goliad."
The Twin Sister's fire off two cannister loads---and---there is a rush.
There are no drums, no bugles, no orderly advance, fireing and reloading.
We know that the Battle of San Jacinto lasted but 18 minutes.
What took place in these 18 minutes.
No automatic weapons, muskets and pistols.
700 Good Mexican troops died--not rag tag conscripts--good, well trained soilders died in 18 minutes.
It was a rush. One shot and rifles became clubs.
The Mexicans broke at the first volley and general chaos ruled. One Mexican General tried to rally his troops---he was killed.
The Texians suffered 9 casualties.
The Mexicans were forced too flee into Peggy's creek, really a swamp and marsh, where many drowned.
In 18 minutes it was over.
The next day Santa Anna was found, dressed in a privates uniform. He was being escourted to the area where prisoners were being kept when his men began too salute him and call him El Presidente.
When Santa Anna was escourted too Sam Houston he stated I am Santa Anna and you have captured the napoleon of the West and I am at your convenience.
I wish I had been a fly on the tree which Houston lay under--just to be able to witness the look on Houston's face.
Therefore I say---TEXAS, by GOD. David could not say the Lord was on his side more than God was on the side of TEXAS this day. It was Friday but today is Sunday.
Boys this is a snapshot. There is world of writing about this event.
I do hope you enjoyed as much as I enjoyed spinning this tale.
Blessings 

PS
This is the beginning of the saying concerning being caught with your pants down.

PS
In less time than it took me too compsose this tale, and type it, the battle was over.

[ironglow]

  Thanks Bill..I really enjoyed it ! Great history, concerning a great state! I absorbed knowledge, some new, some that has lain quiescent for years..

[no guns here]

After your first post I had to look up the Battle of San Jacinto.  My favorite part (besides probably the most lopsided casualty ratio in any action ever) was where a man who was a PRIVATE the day before was a COLONEL and in Command of a section of cavalry for this battle.  Talk about a battlefield promotion!!!  Thanks to you I've gone back and learned a bit more about a small part of history that I had learned about many years ago.



REMEMBER THE CONSTITUTION!!!
NGH

[Oldshooter]

Thanks William, good read!

I like the battle cry " remember the constitution" NGH

[Glanceblamm]

Very good read William, I think that the ferocity of the battle would have been one that we simply could not comprehend unless one was there to witness it.

I was wondering if you were going to associate the Mulatto slave girl with the Yellow rose of Texas song and is a question that I would have ask your thoughts on had you not done so. I have very early memories of that song as my Mother used to like to play it on the Piano.

[williamlayton]

With all of this information and $7.50 you can get a mutilated, frosted something or nuther caffee latadder at that fancy dancy coffee shop.
Blessings

[Oldshooter]

frosted something or nuther caffee latadder

   
"yeabut" (a local expression) it woudn't be near as much fun as this was!

Thanks Again!

[ironglow]

  A more welcome cry, to the Texians at least was;  " me no Alamo, me no Goliad."