Houston
San Jacinto Battleground - Picture it. It
is a humid spring day. April 21, 1836 to be exact.
General Houston and his men are tired and fed up with
the Mexican Army, led by General Antonio Lopez de
Santa Anna, who has run them and their families out
of their frontier homes. Not knowing where to go if
the Mexicans successfully reoccupy the coast, the
Texas soldiers voted to fight after Santa Anna's initial
attack. But Sam Houston had another plan. At 4:00
that afternoon, the Mexican army was tucked away in
their tents enjoying a siesta.
Houston gathered his men, and to
their surprise, he ordered them to attack the Mexican
camp. At 4:30pm, the Texas soldiers stormed the Mexicans
and had control of the camp in only 18 minutes. 600
plus Mexican soldiers were killed and 700 surrendered
while Houston's army suffered only 9 casualties. The
''brave" Santa Anna was found the next day shivering
in the grass dressed as a common soldier.
On this battleground east of downtown, lies the towering
San Jacinto Monument. It is the tallest
war memorial, standing 15 feet taller than the Washington
Monument. The monument houses a museum with over 17,000
artifacts that tell the story of early Texas history
and culture. In the Jesse H. Jones Theater, you can
see "Texas Forever! The Battle for San Jacinto"
with showings every hour.
No trip to the San Jacinto would
be complete without stopping for a tour on the Battleship
Texas. First commissioned in 1914, this battleship
saw wartime action in Normandy and Okinawa. It was
given to the people of Texas as the first memorial
ship in 1948. If you believe in ghosts, keep your
eyes peeled and your mind open while touring. The
Battleship is rumored to be haunted by the friendly
and very proud men who once fought on her.
www.sanjacintomuseum.org
1. Space Center Houston [More……]
2. San Jacinto Battleground [More…….]
3. George Ranch Historical Park [More……]
4. Kemah Boardwalk [More……]
