SAM HOUSTON, HERO OF SAN JACINTO
Houston among the Cherokees
142. Sam Houston. Young Houston was born of Scotch-Irish parents, in Virginia (1793). His father had fought under General Morgan in the Revolution. Sam Houston did not have much schooling, and when but thirteen his family moved to east Tennessee. Made angry by his older brother, he left home and went to live with the Cherokee Indians. He liked the wild life of the Indians and took part with the Indian boys in their pastimes of hunting, fishing, and playing at games.
THE BATTLE OF HORSESHOE BEND
Here Houston, under Jackson in the victory over the Creeks, won great distinction
Returns home
Wounded in battle
He was now eighteen. He returned home and went to school a term at Marysville Academy. In the war of 1812 General Jackson called the men of Tennessee to arms. Young Houston responded to the call, and fought against the Indians in the great "Battle of Horseshoe Bend." After doing heroic deeds, he was dangerously wounded. Houston was a long time in getting well.
SAM HOUSTON
From a photograph by Matthew B. Brady in the collection of the War Department, Washington, D.C.
Elected to Congress
At twenty-five he began to study law in Nashville and in six months—just a third of the time said to be necessary—he was ready to practice. Houston's rise in the law and in the favor of the people was rapid. He went from one position to another until the people elected him to Congress.
Governor of Tennessee
Forsakes his home
He was in Congress four years. He won many friends by his gracious behavior. The people of Tennessee made him their governor. But suddenly, without warning, Houston resigned as governor, and forsook his home and friends. He sailed down the Mississippi River to the Arkansas, and up this river several hundred miles to the land of his early friends, the Cherokees, whom the United States government had sent to that far-away country.
Returns to the Cherokees
The old chief's welcome
Here Houston found the old chief—now the head of his tribe—who had adopted him as a son years before on the banks of the Tennessee. The chief threw his arms around him in great affection and said: "My son, eleven winters have passed since we met. My heart has wondered often where you were; and I heard you were a great chief among your people.... I have heard that a dark cloud had fallen on the white path you were walking, and when it fell ... you turned your thoughts to my wigwam. I am glad of it,—it was done by the Great Spirit.... My wigwam is yours, my home is yours, my people are yours,—rest with us."
Visits Washington
When Andrew Jackson became President of the United States Houston went, in his Indian dress, on a visit to Washington. He was warmly received by his old friend from Tennessee.
Visits Tennessee
Once more he turned his face toward the wilderness. He stopped in Tennessee and was warmly greeted by old friends. He did not stay long in Tennessee.
Hastens to Texas
Neither did he stay long with the Cherokees, but hastened to Texas, where the people were already murmuring against the treatment they were receiving from Mexico.
Texas declares independence
The people of Texas finally issued a declaration of independence. Thereupon the Mexicans resolved to send a large army into Texas and force the revolutionists into submission to the government.
THE ALAMO, SAN ANTONIO
Of its defense by Travis, Crockett, and their few men it was said, "Thermopylae had her messenger of woe—the Alamo had none"
A most important event of this war was the capture, by a large Mexican force, of an old mission building used as a fortress, called the Alamo. It was defended by one hundred forty men, among them the famous "Davy" Crockett, Colonel Travis, and Colonel Bowie—the inventor of the bowie knife. Only six Texans were alive after the capture of the fortress. These heroic men died, fighting the Mexicans to the last.
THE FLAG OF THE TEXAS REPUBLIC
"Remember the Alamo!"
"Remember the Alamo!" became the war cry of every Texan. The Mexicans were approaching, five thousand strong, under General Santa Ana. General Houston commanded the Texans, about seven hundred in all.
Massacre of Goliad
Suddenly the news came that General Fannin and his men, five hundred in number, had been massacred by the Mexicans at Goliad. The cause of Texan independence looked dark indeed.
HOUSTON AT SAN JACINTO
Where his battle cry, "Remember the Alamo!" won Texas independence from Mexico
Houston's retreat
Houston began a retreat of two hundred fifty miles to the eastward. Santa Ana followed closely after him, but scattered his men, just as Houston wanted him to do, until he had with him only eighteen hundred men. They were now on the banks of the San Jacinto.
Battle of San Jacinto
Houston waited till the Mexicans were a bit careless, then seven hundred Texans charged the breastworks of the Mexicans. After the first fire they clubbed their guns and went at it, pioneer fashion, with the cry, "Remember the Alamo!" The right and the left wings of the Mexicans gave way first, and then the center.
SCENE OF HOUSTON'S CAMPAIGN
Retreat of the Mexicans
They retreated, expecting to cross a deep, narrow bayou or stream on a log bridge, but Houston had had the bridge destroyed. The slaughter was terrific. The stream was choked with Mexicans and their horses.
Santa Ana captured and sent to visit Washington
Santa Ana was captured and was turned over to the Texan government. Many thought he ought to die because of the massacres at the Alamo and Goliad, but Houston, generous toward the beaten man, sent him on to visit Washington.
Houston elected president of Texas
Houston had been badly wounded, and sailed to New Orleans for medical care. He returned to be elected first president of the "Lone Star Republic," as Texas was called. He was reëlected for a second term and served his country well.
Annexation of Texas
Houston wanted Texas made a part of the United States. This was afterwards done, and war followed with Mexico.
In 1845 Texas sent Houston to the United States Senate, where he served his state for fourteen years. He was devoted to our national Union. He died in 1863.