It is interesting to compare the accounts of the battle of San Jacinto
written by leaders of the opposing Texan and Mexican forces.
General Sam Houston, in his official report of the engagement to
President David G. Burnet, dated April 25, 1836, reviewed his movements
during the three days preceding the battle, and then said:
"_About nine o'clock on the morning of the 21st, the enemy were
reinforced by 500 choice troops, under the command of General Cos,
increasing their effective force to upward of 1500 men, whilst our
aggregate force for the field numbered 783. At half-past three o'clock
in the evening, I ordered the officers of the Texian army to parade
their respective commands, having in the meantime ordered the bridge on
the only road communicating with the Brazos, distant eight miles from
the encampment, to be destroyed--thus cutting off all possibility of
escape. Our troops paraded with alacrity and spirit, and were anxious
for the contest. Their conscious disparity in numbers seemed only to
increase their enthusiasm and confidence, and heightened their anxiety
for the conflict. Our situation afforded me an opportunity of making the
arrangements preparatory to the attack without exposing our designs to
the enemy. The first regiment, commanded by Colonel Burleson, was
assigned to the center. The second regiment, under the command of
Colonel Sherman, formed the left wing of the army. The artillery, under
special command of Colonel George W. Hockley, Inspector-General, was
placed on the right of the first regiment; and four companies of
infantry, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Henry Millard, sustained the
artillery upon the right. Our cavalry, 61 in number, commanded by
Colonel Mirabeau B. Lamar (whose gallant and daring conduct on the
previous day had attracted the admiration of his comrades), completed
our line. Our cavalry was first dispatched to the front of the enemy's
left, for the purpose of attracting their notice, whilst an extensive
island of timber afforded us an opportunity of concentrating our forces,
and deploying from that point, agreeably to the previous design of the
troops. Every evolution was performed with alacrity, the whole advancing
rapidly in line, and through an open prairie, without any protection
whatever for our men. The artillery advanced and took station within 200
yards of the enemy's breastwork, and commenced an effective fire with
grape and canister._
"_Colonel Sherman, with his regiment, having commenced the action upon
our left wing, the whole line, at the center and on the right, advancing
in double quick time, rung the war-cry, 'Remember the Alamo!' received
the enemy's fire, and advanced within point blank shot, before a piece
was discharged from our lines. Our lines advanced without a halt, until
they were in possession of the woodland and the enemy's breastwork--the
right wing of Burleson's and the left of Millard's taking possession of
the breastwork; our artillery having gallantly charged up within seventy
yards of the enemy's cannon, when it was taken by our troops. The
conflict lasted about eighteen minutes from the time of close action
until we were in possession of the enemy's encampment, taking one piece
of cannon (loaded), four stand of colors, all their camp equipage,
stores and baggage. Our cavalry had charged and routed that of the enemy
upon the right, and given pursuit to the fugitives, which did not cease
until they arrived at the bridge which I have mentioned before--Captain
Karnes, always among the foremost in danger, commanding the pursuers.
The conflict in the breastwork lasted but a few moments; many of the
troops encountered hand to hand, and, not having the advantage of
bayonets on our side, our riflemen used their pieces as war clubs,
breaking many of them off at the breech. The rout commenced at half-past
four, and the pursuit by the main army continued until twilight. A guard
was then left in charge of the enemy's encampment, and our army returned
with our killed and wounded. In the battle, our loss was two killed and
twenty-three wounded, six of them mortally. The enemy's loss was 630
killed ... wounded 208 ... prisoners 730...._"