How do you? Howdy and welcome to a bonus episode of Wise About Texas, the Texas History

Podcast. It's April 21st, 2016, and 180 years ago today, one of the most decisive battles in world history

was fought just outside of present-day Houston, Texas.

On the plane of San Jacinto, a loosely organized band of independent-minded

Texans defeated the Mexican Army and won independence. In this bonus episode, I'll give you an

overview of that fateful battle in honor of those who fought it.

So let's go back 180 years and get wise about Texas.

April 20, 1836 found the Texan army arriving on the shores of Buffalo Bayou where it meets the San Jacenter

River.

Sam Houston decided to camp in a grove of oak trees on the Bayou.

Tensions were high and the army anticipated facing off with Santa Ana very quickly.

Before the army had crossed the byu the day before, Sam Houston had delivered a fiery speech urging

his men to remember the Alamo.

One Texian soldier recalled that,

quote, after such a speech,

damn few will be taken prisoners, close quote.

Thomas Rusk also gave a fiery speech

encouraging the men to remember Goliad.

On the early morning of April 20th, camp had barely been established when some scouts approached

from New Washington, which is present-day Morgan point, with news that Santa Ana was advancing.

The men were to arms immediately.

Now these men had been marching for weeks and the powder in their weapons was wet, so they

...