On April 21, 1836 an 18-minute military engagement at this place near Houston created a new nation and forever changed the course of history for the United States of America. Because of the result, it's considered to be one of the world's most decisive military battles.

One third of what today is now the United States was given up by Mexico when an overconfident Santa Anna, Emperor of Mexico, was decisively defeated and captured by a much smaller ragtag army of Texians led by Sam Houston. It was the first, and only, major military engagement commanded by Sam Houston.

Santa Anna thought he'd already crushed the Texas rebellion with his great victory at The Alamo where he butchered every defender. He thought he was now putting the finishing touches on his glorious win.

Santa Anna had split his massive army into three sections. One chased Sam Houston's retreating force that had failed to come to the aid of The Alamo. Another went to Goliad where 303 Texians surrendered in the Battle of Coleto. They thought they were being given free passage in exchange for their surrender. Instead, by order of Santa Anna, the unarmed Texians were slaughtered while being marched away. The third force, commanded by Santa Ana, unsuccessfully chased and tried to capture the fledgling rebel government of Texas. The government escaped to Louisiana.

Santa Anna had camped his 1,400 strong contingent without posting any lookout sentries and were taking an afternoon siesta when Houston's men sneaked through the tall grass to make a surprise attack. Trained in Napoleonic military tactics, Santa Anna's army was unable to form ranks. Instead, they panicked and ran into a nearby marsh where Houston's small 900-man force killed 630 Mexican soldiers and captured another 730. Houston lost only 9 men.

A cowardly Santa Anna was captured during mop-up operations the next day. Santa Anna disguised himself by ditching his ornate commander's uniform and putting on a common soldier's garb. He was discovered when his own soldiers bowed and addressed him as Emperor when he was brought in as a POW.

For being given safe passage back to Mexico City, Santa Anna signed the Treaties of Velasco. They recognized Texas as a new nation and agreed to withdraw the Mexican army from Texan soil. Santa Anna also agreed to give up all Mexican claims to lands from the Rio Grande River north to Nebraska, and from Louisiana in the east all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
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