William R. Sanford - Sam Houston. Courageous Texas Hero

Remember the Alamo!

Crushing losses at the Alamo and Goliad sent the Texans reeling. With the stronger Mexican army poised for victory, General Sam Houston commanded all that remained of the Texas army fighting for its independence. Greatly outnumbered, General Houston led his soldiers into battle at San Jacinto. Surprising the Mexican troops with their bold attack, the fiery Texans rallied to an overwhelming victory, claiming their independence. One of the founders of Texas, Sam Houston served the state as governor and senatorbut he is most remembered as an American hero.

About the Author

William R. Sanford and Carl R. Green are the authors of more than one hundred books for young people. They bring over sixty years of teaching experience to the many projects they have created.

This book tells the true story of Sam Houston. Sam was one of the American Wests greatest heroes. In his day, he was known as an outstanding general and statesman. His daring exploits and fiery speeches were featured in newspapers, magazines, and dime novels. In more recent years, Sam has been the subject of novels, films, and biographies. You may find it hard to believe that one man could pack so much adventure and achievement into a single lifetime. If so, rest easy. All of the events described in this book actually happened.

Weary Texans grumbled as they set up camp on the plain of San Jacinto. The date was April 21, 1836. The soldiers were tired of retreating. The Mexican army was camped almost within rifle shot. Would General Sam Houston ever let them stand and fight?

A battle had been brewing for weeks. Leading the Mexicans was General Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna. The Mexican dictator was trying to crush the Texans fight for independence. He had begun by marching on San Antonio. On March 6, his troops had stormed the Alamo. All of the defenders had died in that bloody battle. At Goliad, he had ordered the slaughter of almost four hundred Texan prisoners. Now only Sam Houston and his tiny army were left to defend Texas.

Tall oak trees trailed a curtain of Spanish moss over the Texans camp. Less than a mile away, Santa Annas men built a barricade of brush and baggage. The dictator felt certain that the outnumbered Texans would not attack. The barricade finished, his men stacked their rifles and lay down for a siesta.

Santa Annas confidence seemed well founded. He commanded 1,260 men to Sam Houstons 910. Sams best hope lay in the deadeye shooting of his riflemen. He waited, hoping the Mexicans would attack.

At last, as his men grew more impatient, Sam launched an attack. First, he sent the famous scout Deaf Smith riding west to burn Vinces Bridge. With the bridge down, Santa Annas reinforcements could not reach him. Water and marshy ground would make retreat difficult. This would be a fight to the finish.

At 3:30 P.M ., Sam was ready. He mounted his white horse and led his men forward. The advancing troops flanked two small cannon called the Twin Sisters. Houston rode up and down the line. Hold your fire, men. Hold your fire, he urged. His silent soldiers pressed forward through the tall grass. A reserve force waited in the cover of the trees.

When the sleeping enemy lay only two hundred yards away, Sam waved his hat. The Twin Sisters roared. With grapeshot in short supply, the gunners had loaded the cannon with scrap metal. Chunks of broken horseshoes ripped through the barricade. The Texans surged forward. As they ran, they yelled, Remember the Alamo!

Santa Annas men groped for their guns. A few wild shots peppered the attacking Texans. Sams white horse went down. Sam jumped free, grabbed a second horse, and swung into the saddle. A moment later, a musket ball shattered his ankle. The second horse fell under him. Somehow, Sam pulled himself onto a third horse.

The Texans broke through what was left of the barricade. Many of the Mexicans fought bravely, while others ran for their lives. Santa Anna, unnerved by the assault, fled on horseback. Eighteen minutes after the first shots were fired, the battle was over.

Me no Alamo! frightened Mexicans pleaded. The Texans were beyond caring. Blind with rage, they shot, clubbed, and knifed hundreds of helpless prisoners. When the dust settled, 630 Mexicans lay dead. Another 630 had surrendered. More than 200 of them had been wounded. Only two Texans had been killed in the surprise attack, although seven more died later of their wounds.

A patrol found Santa Anna the next day. The riders brought the dictator back to camp. They found Sam sitting under a tree, nursing his wounded ankle. Santa Anna feared he would be sent to a firing squad. Sam had a better idea. He offered to spare the dictators lifeif all Mexican troops left Texas. Santa Anna quickly signed the orders that sent his men home.

Sam Houston, nursing his wounds under a tree, meets with Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna after the Texans victory at San Jacinto. General Houston offered to spare Santa Annas life if the Mexican general promised to order his soldiers to leave Texas.

The stroke of Santa Annas pen ended the Texas war for independence. Thanks to Sam Houston and his brave soldiers, Texas was free.

In 1793, the United States was still a young country. Most of its 4 million people lived near the Atlantic coast. The great surge westward was still to come.

On March 2, Elizabeth Houston of Timber Ridge plantation gave birth to her fifth son. She named the boy Samuel. The name was a tribute to her husband, Major Samuel Houston. Two days later, President George Washington began his second term.

Timber Ridge lay in a sunny valley near Lexington, Virginia. Slaves worked in the fields and helped out in the large house. Major Houston, an inspector in the state militia, was seldom home. While he was gone, Elizabeth managed the plantation. While she was busy with her duties, a slave girl took care of Sam.

Four more babies arrived over the next few years. Left free to wander the nearby woods, Sam learned to hunt, fish, and swim. When he was eight, Elizabeth sent him to a log schoolhouse. Although he often cut class, Sam mastered the arts of reading and writing. At home, his father filled his head with stories of the young nations heroes. In his free time, the youngster read books on geography and history.

Major Houston paid his travel costs out of his own pocket. In time, his debts outstripped his income. The Houston family talked of selling out and moving west. The majors sudden death in 1807 made the move even more urgent.

Elizabeth sold Timber Ridge and bought land in eastern Tennessee. The family piled its belongings into two wagons and headed west. The grueling three-hundred-mile journey to the new farm near Maryville took three weeks. This was truly the western frontier. The Cherokee Nation owned the land on the far side of the nearby river.

Sams older brothers carved a farm from the wilderness. Sam did his share of the work, but he was bored by farming. For a time, he went back to school. There, he fell in love with Homers epic work, The Iliad. Sam never forgot those stirring tales. Like Homers ancient Greek heroes, he believed he was destined for greatness.

As the farm prospered, Sams brothers invested in a dry goods store. After Sam quit school at sixteen, they put him to work as a clerk. Sam hated this job as well. When he felt too tied down, he vanished into the woods. One day, he did not return.