Editing Texas Revolution (section)

===San Jacinto===
{{Main|Battle of San Jacinto}}

The area along Buffalo Bayou had many thick oak groves, separated by marshes. This type of terrain was familiar to the Texians and quite alien to the Mexican soldiers.<ref name=hardin202/>  Houston's army, comprising 900 men, reached Lynch's Ferry mid-morning on April 20; Santa Anna's 700-man force arrived a few hours later. The Texians made camp in a wooded area along the bank of Buffalo Bayou; while the location provided good cover and helped hide their full strength, it also left the Texians no room for retreat.<ref name=hardin200and1>Hardin (1994), pp. 200–201.</ref><ref name=moore258>Moore (2004), p. 258.</ref>  Over the protests of several of his officers, Santa Anna chose to make camp in a vulnerable location, a plain near the San Jacinto River, bordered by woods on one side, marsh and lake on another.<ref name=hardin202>Hardin (1994), p. 202.</ref><ref name=moore283>Moore (2004), p. 283.</ref>  The two camps were approximately {{convert|500|yd|m}} apart, separated by a grassy area with a slight rise in the middle.<ref name=hardin208>Hardin (1994), p. 208.</ref>  Colonel Pedro Delgado later wrote that "the camping ground of His Excellency's selection was in all respects, against military rules. Any youngster would have done better."<ref name=moore287>Moore (2004), p. 287.</ref>

[[File:The Battle of San Jacinto (1895).jpg|thumb|left|300px|alt=The painting shows many men, some on foot and some on horseback, engaged in hand-to-hand combat. One man carries the Mexican flag; another carries the flag of the Republic of Texas. In the background are several tents; behind them is a body of water.|[[Henry Arthur McArdle]]'s 1895 painting, ''The Battle of San Jacinto'']]
Over the next several hours, two brief skirmishes occurred. Texians won the first, forcing a small group of dragoons and the Mexican artillery to withdraw.<ref name=hardin202/><ref name=hardin203/>  Mexican dragoons then forced the Texian cavalry to withdraw. In the melee, Rusk, on foot to reload his rifle, was almost captured by Mexican soldiers, but was rescued by newly arrived Texian volunteer [[Mirabeau B. Lamar]].<ref name=hardin203>Hardin (1994), p. 203.</ref>  Over Houston's objections, many infantrymen rushed onto the field. As the Texian cavalry fell back, Lamar remained behind to rescue another Texian who had been thrown from his horse; Mexican officers "reportedly applauded" his bravery.<ref name=hardin204>Hardin (1994), p. 204.</ref> Houston was irate that the infantry had disobeyed his orders and given Santa Anna a better estimate of their strength; the men were equally upset that Houston had not allowed a full battle.<ref name=davis267>Davis (2006), p. 267.</ref>

Throughout the night, Mexican troops worked to fortify their camp, creating [[breastworks]] out of everything they could find, including saddles and brush.<ref name=hardin205>Hardin (1994), p. 205.</ref>  At {{nowrap|9 a.m.}} on April 21, Cos arrived with 540 reinforcements, bringing the Mexican force to 1,200 men, which outnumbered the Texians.<ref name=hardin206>Hardin (1994), p. 206.</ref>  Cos's men were raw recruits rather than experienced soldiers, and they had marched steadily for more than 24 hours, with no rest and no food.<ref name=moore292>Moore (2004), p. 292.</ref>  As the morning wore on with no Texian attack, Mexican officers lowered their guard. By afternoon, Santa Anna had given permission for Cos's men to sleep; his own tired troops also took advantage of the time to rest, eat, and bathe.<ref name=moore328>Moore (2004), p. 328.</ref>

Not long after the Mexican reinforcements arrived, Houston ordered Smith to destroy [[Vince's Bridge]], {{convert|5|mi|km}} away, to slow down any further Mexican reinforcements.<ref name=hardin207>Hardin (1994), p. 207.</ref>  At {{nowrap|4 p.m.}} the Texians began creeping quietly through the tall grass, pulling the cannon behind them.<ref name=hardin312-8>Hardin (1994), pp. 312–318.</ref>  The Texian cannon fired at 4:30, beginning the [[battle of San Jacinto]].<ref name=moore210>Moore (2004), p. 210.</ref>  After a single volley, Texians broke ranks and swarmed over the Mexican breastworks to engage in hand-to-hand combat. Mexican soldiers were taken completely by surprise. Santa Anna, Castrillón, and Almonte yelled often conflicting orders, attempting to organize their men into some form of defense.<ref name=moore211>Moore (2004), p. 211.</ref>  Within 18 minutes, Mexican soldiers abandoned their campsite and fled for their lives.<ref name=davis271>Davis (2006), p. 271.</ref>  The killing lasted for hours.<ref name=hardin213>Hardin (1994), p. 213.</ref>

Many Mexican soldiers retreated through the marsh to Peggy Lake.<ref group=Note>Peggy Lake, also called Peggy's Lake, no longer exists. It was located southeast of the Mexican breastworks, which is now the site of the monument. Hardin (2004) pp. 71, 93</ref> Texian riflemen stationed themselves on the banks and shot at anything that moved. Many Texian officers, including Houston and Rusk, attempted to stop the slaughter, but they were unable to gain control of the men. Texians continued to chant "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" while frightened Mexican infantry yelled "Me no Alamo!" and begged for mercy to no avail.<ref name=hardin211to5>Hardin (1994), pp. 211–215.</ref>  In what historian Davis called "one of the most one-sided victories in history",<ref name=davis274>Davis (2006), p. 274.</ref> 650 Mexican soldiers were killed and 300 captured.<ref name=hardin215>Hardin (1994), p. 215.</ref>  Eleven Texians died, with 30 others, including Houston, wounded.<ref name=moore364>Moore (2004), p. 364.</ref>

Although Santa Anna's troops had been thoroughly vanquished, they did not represent the bulk of the Mexican army in Texas. An additional 4,000 troops remained under the commands of Urrea and General [[Vicente Filisola]].<ref name=davis272>Davis (2006), p. 272.</ref>  Texians had won the battle due to mistakes made by Santa Anna, and Houston was well aware that his troops would have little hope of repeating their victory against Urrea or Filisola.<ref name=davis273>Davis (2006), p. 273.</ref>  As darkness fell, a large group of prisoners were led into camp. Houston initially mistook the group for Mexican reinforcements and shouted out that all was lost.<ref name=davis276>Davis (2006), p. 276.</ref>