I decided to do a part 2 from the article I posted last week on the Battle of San Jacinto which compared the accounts of San Jacinto written by leaders of the opposing Texan and Mexican forces.

Report of Secretary of War Thomas J. Rusk

General Sam Houston, in his official report of the engagement to President David G. Burnet, dated April 25, 1836, reviewed his movements during the three days preceding the battle, and then said:

“About nine, o’clock on the morning of the 21st, the enemy were reinforced by 500 choice troops, under the command of Genera Cos, increasing their effective force to upward of 1500 men, whilst our aggregate force for the field numbered 783. At half-past three o’clock in the evening, I ordered the officers of Texian army to parade their respective commands, having in the meantime ordered the bridge on the only road communicating with the Brazos,  distant of eight miles from the encampment, to be destroyed-thus cutting off all possibility of escape. Our troops paraded with alacrity and spirit and were anxious for the contest. Their conscious disparity in numbers seemed only to increase their enthusiasm and confidence, and heightened their anxiety or the conflict. Our situation afforded me an opportunity of making the arrangements preparatory to the attack without exposing our designs to the enemy. The first regiment, commanded by Colonel Burleson, was assigned to the center. The second regiment, under special command of Colonel Sherman formed the left wing of the army. The artillery, under special command of Colonel George W. Hockley, Inspector General, was placed on the right of the first regiment; and four companies of infantry, under the command of Lieut. Col. Henry Millard, sustained the artillery upon the right. Our cavalry, 61, in number, commanded by Colonel Mirabeau B. Lamar (whose gallant and daring conduct on the previous day had attracted the admiration of his comrades), completed our line. Our cavalry was first dispatched to the front of the enemy’s left, for the purpose of attracting their notice, whilst an extensive island of timber afforded its an opportunity of concentrating our forces, and deploying from that point, agreeably to the previous design of the troops. Every evolution was performed with alacrity, the whole advancing rapidly in line, and through an open Prairie, without any protection whatever for our men. The artillery advanced and took station within 200 yards of the enemy’s breastwork and commenced an effective fire with grape and canister.

Mirabeau Lamar…..…”Colonel Sherman, with his regiment, having commenced the action upon our left wing, the whole line, at the center and on the right, advancing in double quick time, rung the Warcry, ‘Remember the Alamo!’ received the enemy’s fires, and advanced within point blank shot, before a piece was discharged from our lines. Our lines advanced without a halt, until thy were in possession of the woodland and the enemy’s breastwork, the right wing of Burleson’s and the left of Millard’s taking possession of the breastwork; our artillery having gallantly charged up within seventy yards of the enemy’s cannon, when it was taken by our troops. 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 stand of colors, all their camp equipage, stores and baggage. Our cavalry had charged and routed that of the enemy upon the right, and given pursuit of the fugitives, which did not cease until they arrived at the bride 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 club, breaking any of them off at the breach. The rout commenced at half past four, and the pursuit by main army continued until twilight. A guard was then left in charge of enemy’s encampment, and our army returned with our killed and wounded. In the battle, our, loss was two killed and twenty-three wounded, six of them mortally. The enemy’s loss was 630 killed, wounded 208, prisoners 730.”

Mexican Version of Battle

General Santa Anna, in the memoirs of his old age, wrote a brief and untruthful account of the battle of San Jacinto, an alibi blaming General Filisola for the defeat. He said he had ordered Filisola to join him by forced marches, for the attack on Houston’s army, and was waiting for the reinforcements when he found Houston camped on the San Jacinto. He continued: “At two o’clock in the afternoon of April 21, 1836, I had fallen asleep in the shade of an oak, hoping the heat would moderate so that I might begin the march, (to find Filisola), when the filibusterers surprised my camp with admirable skill. Imagine my surprise, on opening my eyes, and finding myself surrounded by those people, threatening me with, their rifles and overpowering my person. The responsibility of Filisola was obvious, because he and only he had caused suh a catastrophe by his criminal disobedience.” This is somewhat at variance with an earlier report, in which Santa Anna recounted his own heroic efforts to rally his troops in the battle until “the new recruits threw everything into confusion, breaking ranks and preventing veterans from making use of their arms, whilst the enemy was rapidly advancing with loud hurrahs, and in a few minutes obtained a victory which they  could not some hours before, even have dreamed of.” Then, El Presidente went on:

“All hope being lost, and everyone flying fast, as he could, I found myself in the greatest danger, when a servant of my aide-de-camp…..found me his horse, with the tenderest, and most urging expressions insisted on my riding off the field….I remembered tat General Filisola was only seventeen leagues off, and I took my directions toward him, darting through the enemy ranks. They pursued me, and after a ride of one league and a half, overtook me on the banks of a large creek, the bridge over which had been burned by the enemy to, retard our pursuit.”

“I alighted from my horse and with much, difficulty succeeded in concealing myself in a thicket of dwarf pines. Night coming on I escaped them, and the hope of reaching the army gave me strength. I crossed the creek with the water up to my breast and continued my route on foot. I found, in a house which had been abandoned some articles of clothing, which enabled me to change my apparel. At eleven o’clock a.m., while I was crossing a large plain, my pursuers overtook me again. Such is the history of my capture. On account of my change of apparel they did not recognize me, and inquired whether I had seen Sant Anna. To this I answered that he had made his escape; and this answer saved me from assassination, as I have since been given to understand.”

Colonel Pedro Delgado, of Santa Anna’s staff, gave a more detailed and more accurate Mexican version of the battle. He told how Santa Anna, his staff and most of the men were asleep when the bugler sounded the alarm of the Texan advance. Some of the men were out gathering boughs for shelter; cavalrymen were riding bareback, to and from water. Continuing:

“I stepped upon some ammunition boxes the better to observe the movements of the enemy. I saw that their formation was a mere line of one rank, and very extended. In their center was the Texas flag; on both wings, they had two light cannons, well manned. Their cavalry was opposite our front, overlapping our left. In this disposition yelling furiously, with a brisk fire of grape, muskets, and rifles, they advanced resolutely upon our camp. There the utmost confusion prevailed. General Castrillon shouted onone side; on another Colonel Almonte was giving orders; some cried out to commence firing; others to lie down and avoid the grape shot. Among the latter was His Excellency. Then already, I saw our men flying in small groups, terrified, and sheltering themselves behind large trees. I endeavored to force some of them to fight, but all efforts were in vain……the evil was beyond remedy; they were a bewildered and panic-stricken herd. The enemy kept-up a brisk crossfire of grape on the woods. Presently we heard, in close proximity, the unpleasant noise of their clamor. Meeting no resistance they dashed, lightning-like upon our deserted camp. Then I saw His Excellency running about in the utmost excitement, wringing his hands, and unable to give an order. General Castrillon was stretched on the ground, wounded in the leg. Colonel Trevino was killed, and Colonel Marcial Aguirre was severely injured. I saw also, the enemy reaching the ordnance train, and killing a corporal and two gunners who had been detailed to repair cartridges which had been damaged on the previous evening.”

In a grove on the Bayshore, Colonel Delgado said, the Texans wrought the worse carnage of the battle. “There they killed Colonel Batres; and it would have been all over with us had not providence placed us in the hands of the noble and generous captain of cavalry, Allen, who by great exertion, saved us repeatedly from being slaughtered by the drunken and infuriated volunteers.”