Texans have been cheering Sam Houston ever since the Battle of San Jacinto, 175 years ago today, decided once and for all the Texas Revolution. But back in the day, Houston bided his time and waited for the right place to do battle — very often to the consternation of more impulsive fellow Texans. History has confirmed his wisdom.

On March 15, 1836, Houston’s eastward retreat from Gonzales after the fall of the Alamo proved a blessing, thanks to 200 fresh Kentucky volunteers joining his ragtag army of 400. The farther he retreated, the more his army grew. But he also drew Mexican Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna deeper into Texas. Plus he was stretching his supply lines, increasing the chance for a fatal mistake.

Learning Santa Anna had divided his army into three columns, Commander-in-Chief Houston kept his own counsel, sharing his plans with no one. The Texas Army absolutely seethed for battle upon hearing of the Goliad massacre. And the Texas government, headed by David Burnet, demanded Houston stand and fight. But Houston stayed his course, continuing to retreat eastward, tracking every move by Santa Anna. The Mexican president-general meanwhile believed the rumors that Houston was retreating to the Sabine River.

Santa Anna crossed the Brazos, prompting Houston to do the same to the north. This neatly sealed the fate of the Mexican army, now surrounded on three sides by water and the army of the Texas Republic on the fourth. The Mexican first column, led by Santa Anna, almost captured the Texas government at Harrisburg, but President Burnet and his Cabinet escaped by boat to Galveston Island — barely.

Houston’s army, after crossing the Brazos north of the Mexican army, still didn’t know of their leader’s intentions until they came to the “which-way tree,” a great oak tree on the road east whose massive limbs marked the way east to Nacogdoches and south to Harrisburg. Upon reaching this dramatic crossroad, Texas troops cheered when Houston motioned his army south. That meant battle was imminent. 

Upon crossing the Brazos, Houston was greeted by the “Twin Sisters,” donated to the cause by the city of Cincinnati. These cannons only reinvigorated the army’s urge to do battle. Houston then pushed his men 55 muddy miles in 2 1/2 days. Houston knew Santa Anna’s army was within 10 miles and he roused his men, saying, “Victory is certain,” “Trust in God” and “Remember the Alamo.” A battle cry was born.

After a perilous crossing at Buffalo Bayou, the fatigued army marched 12 miles. Now they were within 1,000 yards of the Mexican army. Houston, learning of Santa Anna’s blunder of leaving his army surrounded on three sides by water, knew the time and place were at last right. 

On the morning of April 20, Houston’s scouts captured a Mexican food supply boat, giving his men badly needed rations. The men feasted on roasted beef and flour dough cakes, enjoying their best meal in weeks. After breakfast, skirmishes broke out and Houston moved his army back to a stand of trees, giving them a command of Lynch’s Ferry and placing the army directly in Santa Anna’s view and path. In the afternoon, Mexican artillery ineffectively fired on their position. The Twin Sisters of Cincinnati answered with keen accuracy. Santa Anna then decided against an all-out assault and retired his troops for the day.

By now, Houston’s men were full of fight. However, the battle would have to wait another day. Enemy campfires glowed less than a mile in the distance come nightfall.

Houston had slept but three hours a night for six weeks. But this night he slept till midday, somehow sensing Santa Anna would not attack at daybreak. When Houston awoke, he saw an eagle soaring above — a good omen. Exhilarated by a great night’s sleep, he appeared to enjoy walking aimlessly in the woods while his men fidgeted for battle. Meanwhile, Santa Anna was being reinforced by Gen. Martin Perfecto de Cos and the second column, bringing his army to around 1,350. Houston’s army totaled about 800.

Shortly after 3 p.m., Houston formed his army to attack. Worried that Santa Anna’s third column of between 2,000 and 3,000 Mexican troops might appear momentarily, he ordered Vince’s Bridge destroyed. Deaf Smith (who really was hard of hearing) and six others were dispatched to destroy the only escape route for Santa Anna — and the only viable entry by the feared Mexican third column.

Around 4 p.m., Houston lined up his men two deep and 900 yards long, cavalry on the right and Twin Sisters in the line center. Houston rode 30 yards in front of his infantry, directly in front of the cannons. The line advanced to within 200 yards of the Mexican line before firing the Twin Sisters. The advancing infantry punctuated the thunder with deadly accuracy. The enemy line gave way immediately and a general rout ensued.

The battle lasted less than 20 minutes; however, the killing went on until dark. Cries of “Remember the Alamo” and “Remember Goliad” rang out as Mexicans pleaded for their lives, saying “Me no Alamo,” “Me no Goliad.” But their pleas fell on deaf ears of the Texas Army seeking vengeance. Mexican forces suffered more than 600 killed, 200 wounded and 700 captured. Republic of Texas forces suffered nine killed and 30 wounded, among the latter Sam Houston, shot in the left ankle. His officers carried him from the battlefield, all of them being unable to stop the carnage.

Suddenly Houston spied a line of Mexican regulars marching in column and, fearing the arrival of Santa Anna’s third column, exclaimed, “All is lost, my God, all is lost.” But the column was 700 captured Mexicans rounded up by Secretary of War Thomas Jefferson Rusk. Santa Anna was not among the prisoners.

The morning afterward, however, Santa Anna was captured near the remains of Vince’s Bridge dressed as a private. He was taken to Houston, lying beneath a large oak tree. After some discussion, Santa Anna signed an order to his third column army of 2,000 to withdraw from Texas. Houston had just won the biggest military upset in the history of the Western Hemisphere. 

A few days afterward, Houston received Mrs. McCormick, on whose property the battle was fought. She complained of all the dead Mexicans. “Why, lady,” Houston replied, “your land will be famed in history where the glorious battle was fought.”

History tells us that Mrs. McCormick was not particularly impressed with Sam Houston’s rousing rationale, but the dead were never buried or removed.

Clifton Robinson is chairman of Robinson Media, which owns the Tribune-Herald .