The Battle of San Jacinto and the San Jacinto CampaignKemp, Louis Wiltz
History
The Battle of San Jacinto and the San Jacinto Campaign
Kemp, Louis Wiltz
San Jacinto, Battle of, Tex., 1836; Texas -- History -- Revolution, 1835-1836
“_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 war-cry, ‘Remember the Alamo!’ received
the enemy’s fire, and advanced within point blank shot, before a piece
was discharged from our lines. Our lines advanced without a halt, until
they 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 to the fugitives, which did not cease
until they arrived at the bridge 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 clubs,
breaking many of them off at the breech. The rout commenced at half-past
four, and the pursuit by the main army continued until twilight. A guard
was then left in charge of the 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 Aprl 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 such a catastrophe by his
criminal disobedience._”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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