#texasrepublic

Sam Houston: Man of Two Worlds

Sam Houston (1793-1863) was an American soldier in the War of 1812, a statesman, a general in the Texas Revolution, the first president of the Republic of Texas, and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He was a White man who lived among Native Americans, a farmer who hated farming, a slave owner who opposed the spread of slavery, a Southerner who supported Northern policies, and a politician who disliked politics.

He could be considered a man of two worlds at any given time in his life, moving between different spheres, not completely at home in any of them. Charismatic and a natural leader, Houston drew people to him while often simultaneously pushing them away. He remains one of the most fascinating and controversial figures in American history.

Early Life & Cherokee

Sam Houston was born on 2 March 1793 to Samuel Houston and Elizabeth Paxton Houston of Rockbridge County, Virginia. He had five brothers and three sisters, all born on the Timber Ridge Plantation that was worked by slaves. Samuel Houston died in 1807, and his wife moved the family to Maryville, Tennessee.

Sam Houston attended school as a boy for perhaps half a year and later may have attended an academy near Maryville, but he was largely self-taught, spending time in his father's library reading classical literature and history.

Although he was born into a farming family, he had no taste for it, preferring to spend time reading or exploring the woods around his home. His older brothers did not take kindly to what they saw as his 'idle disposition' and tried to force him to take on more responsibility. In response, Houston ran away from home when he was 16 and went to live with the Cherokee.

He was taken under care by their chief, Ahuludegi (also known as John Jolly) on Hiwassee Island, learned their language, observed their traditions, and was given the name, "Raven." He remained with the Cherokee for three years, returning to the world of the White Man in 1812 and taking a position as schoolmaster in Maryville at the one-room schoolhouse.

Read More

Battle of San Jacinto: Birth of the Texas Republic

The Battle of San Jacinto (21 April 1836) was the decisive engagement of the Texas Revolution in which General Sam Houston (1793-1863) defeated the Mexican Army under President and General Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794-1876) in 18 minutes. After Santa Anna was captured the next day, the Texian troops demanded his execution to avenge those who had fallen at the Battle of the Alamo and the Goliad Massacre. Houston was able to leverage this threat over the next few weeks to get Santa Anna to sign the Treaties of Velasco, withdrawing all Mexican troops from Texas and allowing for the birth of the Texas Republic.

Background

The Texas Revolution began on 2 October 1835 with the Battle of Gonzales, and the Texian forces won every engagement for the rest of that year. Their luck changed when Mexican General José de Urrea (1797-1849) won a string of victories, defeating Texian forces at the Battle of San Patricio on 27 February 1836, at the Battle of Agua Dulce on 2 March, at the Battle of Refugio on 14 March, and the Battle of Coleto on 19-20 March.

Meanwhile, Santa Anna had besieged the Alamo at San Antonio de Béxar for 13 days (23 February to 6 March), finally ordering a pre-dawn assault on 6 March. All the defenders were killed in the battle or executed afterwards. Santa Anna demanded his officers adhere to the Tornel Decree of 30 December 1835, which defined all who took up arms against Mexico as "land pirates", fighting only for their own self-interest, who, therefore, should be shown no mercy. No prisoners would be taken by the Mexican army, according to his orders, and any rebel force that surrendered was to be executed.

After General Urrea defeated Colonel James W. Fannin (1804-1836) at the Battle of Coleto, Fannin surrendered on the understanding that, as prisoners of war, they would be disarmed and then allowed to return to the United States. Urrea had refused to follow Santa Anna's orders regarding prisoners at San Patricio, Agua Dulce, and – except for Captain Amon B. King and some of his men – at Refugio, choosing instead to send the Texians as prisoners to Matamoros. He left Colonel Nicolás de la Portilla in charge at Goliad, ordering him to continue this policy and treat the prisoners well.

Portilla, however, followed Santa Anna's directive, and, on 27 March 1836, 350-400 men of the garrison were marched out of the fort in three different directions and executed. The sick and wounded still inside Fort Defiance, including Colonel Fannin, were shot dead in the courtyard. This event became known as the Goliad Massacre.

Read More