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frankboddn
Major
USA
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 Posted - August 11 2007 : 02:09:57 AM
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In the forums regarding the Little Big Horn, Custer and his men thought they had "caught them napping." At the decisive battle of San Jacinto fought a few weeks after the Alamo and Goliad battles, Sam Houston more or less led Santa Anna to where he, Houston, could choose his own field for battle. Buffalo Bayou was to Houston's back, Galveston Bay to his side and the Mexicans directly in front of him. Houston's camp was in the trees against the bayou. At first, Santa Anna was camped on the high ground. It's not very high, but just enough. The monument is built on what was the high ground. Santa Anna gave up the high ground, I've heard because he wanted to camp in the shade. Here's a few pictures:
This is a bird's eye view taken from atop the San Jacinto Monument. Buffalo Bayou is seen, with the Battleship Texas docked to the right. Houston was camped in the trees to the left. The high ground is directly under the monument. Houston moved the "Twin Sisters" cannon up near the high ground and opened fire from there. The cavalry charged in from the left of the photo. Here's the scene:
I can't remember if these are the actual Twin Sisters, but I believe they are. If not, they are representative of them. This is taken from Houston's camp which was in the trees. The cannon were placed closer to the high ground where the monument now stands:
Buffalo Bayou and the channel that leads to the port of Houston. Many people don't realize that Houston is a major seaport. It was near this marker that Houston was laid to rest--not, like, buried, but really to rest up--due to a gunshot wound to his ankle. Many of you have maybe seen the famous picture showing Houston sitting up against a large oak with Santa Anna being presented to him. It was generally in this area. I don't think the tree exists:
This is a view from the opposite side of the battlefield. Sherman's cavalry and the rest of the Texians drove the Mexicans into this marsh, where the real carnage took place. The fight lasted less than 20 minutes, and more than 600 Mexicans were killed. The Alamo and Goliad were revenged:
Here is the famous painting I mentioned. This is a huge mural inside the base of the monument:
Taken from the base of the monument, you can't even see the huge star where the observation deck is located. The monument is 570 feet tall. It has an elevator that takes you to the top non-stop. Quite a ride:
Here you can see what a large seaport Houston is. The skyline is in the background. Downtown Houston is probably 20 miles from the battlefield:
Another mural inside the monument museum:
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Battle of San Jacinto
