What makes this night different than all other nights? That's easy, we celebrate Texas' independence from the tyranny of Mexico.
On March 2, 1836, Texans threw off the yoke of Mexican oppression, declaring their independence as a Sovereign Republic. Almost two months later, on April 21, 1836, the declaration became a reality with the battle of San Jacinto.
After a series of maneuvers, the two small armies faced each other, some 500 yards apart. Then, at 4.00 pm, Texans began a stealthy advance through tall grass to the Mexican lines, pulling cannon behind them.
At 4.30 pm the cannon fired and the Texans rose up, charging the enemy to the cries of Remember the Alamo! and Remember Goliad! After 18 minutes of ferocious hand to hand fighting, the Mexican army broke and ran.
The slaughter continued long after the main action, with the victorious Texans ill-disposed to give quarter to an enemy that had shown no mercy a month earlier in San Antonio.
And while General Sam Houston and other officers attempted to stop the killing, their soldiers "continued to chant "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" while frightened Mexican infantry yelled 'Me no Alamo!' and begged for mercy to no avail."
650 Mexican soldiers were killed and 300 captured, 11 Texans died and 30 were wounded. Santa Anna, "Napoleon of the West," was captured.
Less than a decade later, the Republic of Texas was annexed by the United States. Mistake?
You decide,
LSP
