Texas History- Chapter 12 Lesson 1

Texas History- Chapter 12 Lesson 1

Houston and the Texan Army

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: What are the characteristics of a leader? Why do conflicts develop?

IT MATTERS BECAUSE

After the Alamo and Goliad, Mexican troops moved further into Texas while Texan forces retreated in disarray.

Multiple Select

Which TWO battles did the Texans just lose?

• Gonzales

• Alamo

• Goliad

• San Jacinto

The Texans Retreat

• By March 1836, Santa Anna had confident about his defeat over Texas was inevitable and even considered returning to Mexico. His officers talked him out of it.

• Instead, he ordered every town, farm, and home be burned.

• He divided the army into five separate columns so as to do more damage.

Sam Houston and the Texas Army

• Many people had given up hope for Texas independence, but many had not-including Sam Houston.

• Houston arrived in Gonzales to fewer than 400 men. Many had come after William B. Travis' letter.

• Many people were long-time fighters, however, about 50 Kentucky volunteers were brought by Sidney Sherman.

• The group was ragtag with no food and few guns and ammunition.

• Houston made Edward Burleson a colonel and Sherman a lieutenant colonel.

Multiple Choice

Who brought 50 Kentucky natives to fight for Texas?

• Sidney Sherman

• Sam Houston

• Edward Burleson

• James Fannin

A Difficult Decision

• One week after Houston, Susanna Dickinson and two of Travis' servants arrived in Gonzales. They told them of the bad news at the Alamo AND that Santa Anna was on his way.

• As the new commander, Houston made the decision to retreat, despite objections from the group. He decided to use the time to train his troops, plan a strategy, and gather more men.

• At this time, James Fannin, the commander at Goliad, was still alive. Houston told him to leave Goliad, blow up the fortress, and fall back and meet him in Gonzales.

"The Runaway Scrape"

• When the settler's heard that Santa Anna was advancing towards them, the colonists between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers panicked and began to flee.

• Most of the able-bodied men and boys went to join Sam Houston. The elderly men, women, and children left quickly. This became known as "The Runaway Scrape."

• It was a difficult escape. High water made it difficult to walk or take wagons. Many fell ill and died or died from hunger.

• " The prairie at times was white with feathers emptied from beds, and the road lined for miles with household goods." —Kate Scurry Terrell, quoted in Dudley G. Wooten, A Comprehensive History of Texas

Multiple Choice

What people joined Houston and his army?

• old men and women

• children

• women

• able-bodied men and young boys

The Road to San Jacinto

• Along with the Runaway Scrape, the Texas government moved to Harrisburg and Houston continued his retreat.

• Many people were upset as they saw all the women and children running so Houston allowed some men to stay near the Brazos.

• In the meantime, Houston needed to build his army. He sent a scout to check on Fannin in Goliad, but soon learned he had been captured.

• Houston began training troops, which made the men even more unhappy as they were tired or retreating and ready to fight. In addition, the government was also unhappy. David Burnett, the president of Texas, sent Thomas Rusk to Houston's camp to deliver a letter.

“The enemy are laughing you to scorn.… You must retreat no farther. The country expects you to fight. The salvation of the country depends on your doing so.”

—President David G. Burnet, quoted in James L. Haley, Sam Houston

Multiple Choice

Who did David G. Burnett send to deliver the letter to Houston?

• Deaf Smith

• Davy Crockett

• Thomas Rusk

• James Fannin

Building an Army

• Houston allowed Rusk to take command of his army and explained his plans. Rusk, the Secretary of War, supported Sam Houston and blocked any further criticism of the general from others in the government.

• In the meantime, Houston's camp at Jared Groce's plantation was still preparing.

• They used the blacksmith to make bullets. The soldiers ate the food that was on the plantation. Some of the soldier's wives even helped make barricades out of sandbags.

The Mexican Persuit

• Santa Anna's troops reached the Brazos, near where the Texas government was located in Harrisburg. They were met with Moseley Baker’s troops, who helped slow Santa Anna's and his troops. and after several days, Santa Anna got tired of waiting.

• Instead, he decided to send more troops south to the capital, Harrisburg, but the government had fled. They had gone to New Washington in Galveston Bay. Santa Anna had Harrisburg burned in April of 1836.

• Shortly after, a prize arrived. Two, six-pound cannons arrived called the "Twin Sisters." They were donated by the people of Cincinatti, Ohio. Houston had abandoned his artillery, so this was very useful. He now decided it was time to fight, and he headed towards Harrisburg.

Multiple Choice

What were the two cannons donated from Ohio called?

• "Twin Sisters"

• "Best Friends"

• "Nina and Nino"

• "Jack and Jill"

​***Points to Remember***

• By March 1836, Santa Anna had confident about his defeat over Texas was inevitable and even considered returning to Mexico.

• Many people were long-time fighters, however, about 50 Kentucky volunteers were brought by Sidney Sherman.

• James Fannin was the commander at Goliad before he was captured and killed by Santa Anna.

• When the settler's heard that Santa Anna was advancing towards them, the colonists between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers panicked and began to flee.

• Houston began training troops, which made the men even more unhappy as they were tired or retreating and ready to fight. In addition, the government was also unhappy. David Burnett, the president of Texas, sent Thomas Rusk to Houston's camp to deliver a letter.

• Rusk, the Secretary of War, supported Sam Houston and blocked any further criticism of the general from others in the government.

• They were met with Moseley Baker’s troops, who helped slow Santa Anna's and his troops.

• Santa Anna had Harrisburg burned in April of 1836.

• Two, six-pound cannons arrived called the "Twin Sisters." They were donated by the people of Cincinatti, Ohio.