HistoricSiteMarkers
Early Republic

Mexican Cavalry, Battle of San Jacinto

Houston, Harris County, Texas

Marker Inscription

The Mexican Cavalry was on the left wing, Infantry and Artillery in the center behind a fortification of boxes and baggage, while the extreme right was far extended.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

This marker describes the Mexican army's battle line at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, with cavalry on the left, infantry and artillery centered behind a fortification of boxes and baggage, and the right wing far extended. In a swift assault, Sam Houston's Texans overran that line and won independence for Texas.

Why it matters

San Jacinto secured the Republic of Texas and set in motion events that led to war with Mexico and American expansion to the Pacific.

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Related events

  • · Battle of San Jacinto

Themes & tags

Military & WartimeBattlefield

Nearby & related markers

Site of Battle of San Jacinto, 1836

Houston, TX

On the afternoon of April 21, 1836, near this spot, Gen. Sam Houston's small Texian army formed up to fall upon the much larger Mexican force of Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna. The surprise attack that followed lasted only about eighteen minutes but shattered Santa Anna's army and led to his capture the next day. The victory secured the independence of the Republic of Texas.

Texas Army Attacked in Four Divisions

Houston, TX

On April 21, 1836, the small Texan army under Sam Houston formed for its decisive assault on Santa Anna's camp near the San Jacinto River. This marker records the order of battle: cavalry on the right under Mirabeau B. Lamar, infantry and the famed "Twin Sisters" cannon in support, Edward Burleson's regiment in the center, and Sidney Sherman's on the left. The surprise attack that followed lasted only minutes yet secured Texas independence.

Battle of San Jacinto

Houston, TX

On the afternoon of April 21, 1836, Sam Houston's roughly one thousand Texans stormed Santa Anna's larger Mexican army in a charge that lasted only eighteen minutes yet decided a continent's future. Crying "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" as their band played a love song, the Texans routed the enemy, capturing Santa Anna himself the next day. The stunning victory secured Texas independence and, with annexation nine years later, set in motion the U.S. acquisition of vast western lands.