SAN JACINTO, BATTLE OF

(April 21, 1836), defeat of a Mexican army of about 1,500 troops under General Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna by about 800 men (mostly recent arrivals in Texas) led by General Sam Houston. The outcome assured the success of American settlers in Texas in their war for independence from Mexico. Along the San Jacinto River, near the site of what was to be the city of Houston, Houston's men, after days of retreat, took the Mexican fortified position by surprise, shouting Remember the Alamo, remember Goliad (the scenes of their previous defeats by Santa Anna); in less than a half hour, they killed about 600 Mexicans and wounded 200 more. Within 24 hours, 700 more were captured, including Santa Anna, who was freed after he came to terms with Houston to end the war. Six of Houston's men were killed, about 30 wounded.