The New Student's Reference Work/San Jacinto, Battle of

San Jacin′to, Battle of, the last battle of the Texan war for independence, took place on April 21, 1836, near San Jacinto, Tex. General Santa Anna, in command of the Mexican force of 2,000, was attempting to cut off the retreat of the Texans, and came up with them at the mouth of the river. Gen. Sam Houston ordered his small force of 783 men to charge, which they did to the shout of “Remember the Alamo!” (See Alamo.) After fighting an hour and losing 630 men, the Mexicans surrendered. This decisive battle ended the war.