On April 21, 1836 the Texas Army, under the command of General Sam Houston, attacked and in a brief 18 minutes, defeated the Mexican Army, under the command of Generalismo Santa Anna. Out of that victory the Republic of Texas was formed. Nine years later Texas was admitted into the United States. Today Texas is the only state of the Union that was once an independent nation, and the Texas Flag is the only flag of the fifty states that is entitled to the honor of flying at the same level as that of the United States Flag.
Each year the San Jacinto Volunteers assemble on that famous battleground and re-enact the battle that is considered one of the sixteenth most decisive battles in history. The granite stone in the foreground is one of the markers locating the site of the battle. The monument in the background was built in 1937 in honor of those heroes of the Texas Revolution. The 570' sturcture is the tallest monument column in the world.
Like the army of 1836, the present day re-enactors are a "rag-tag" collection of volunteers. They share a passion for history and the desire to educate the public about their Texas history and heritage.
Three "camps" are set up for the public's inspection. The first is the civilian camp which includes families who were fleeing the fighting in what was called "the runaway scrape." The second camp is the Texas Army camp which arrived at the battlefield before the Mexican Army and occupied the best location on the field. The third camp is that of the Mexican Army. Although the Mexican army was larger and better trained, the element of surprise won the day for the Texians.
From a re-enactment standpoint it is always difficult to find enough volunteers to represent the Mexican Army and often an actor will have to switch roles when he arrives. But they are all dedicated to telling the story acurately and the event is always well received by the public. Actors this year came from as far away as Arizona to participate. 8mm, 16mm and video film all record the event for personal and academic uses.
Here is a sampling of the Mexican Army "troops" that presented themselves on the field this year. They served as the artillery squad that manned the Mexican cannon. With well placed pyrotechnics placed the night before, the cannon battle between the Texas Army "Twin Sisters" and the Mexican "Golden Standard" is a big hit with the public. But by the end of the battle it is always the San Jacinto Battleflag that is the only banner flying.
After the program the public is invited to intermingle with the actors and interview them about their role in the history of Texas.
Return to San Jacinto Day