The Battle of San Jacinto was the final military engagement of the Texas Revolution. Mexican troops, under the command of General Santa Anna, had overextended themselves while following the Texian forces that were retreating from earlier defeats. The two armies were camped within a mile of each other near Harrisburg, Texas. On the afternoon of April 21, the outnumbered Texans, led by Sam Houston, staged a surprise attack and routed the Mexican forces within twenty minutes. General Santa Anna escaped initially, only to be discovered later disguised as a Mexican soldier. Due to the events at the Battle of San Jacinto, the Republic of Texas gained its freedom from Mexico, and remained independent until 1845, when it was annexed to the United States. The San Jacinto Collection contains original documents and prints relating to the Battle of San Jacinto in the Texas War for Independence. The documents contained in this collection include promissory notes, pay scrip, discharge papers, printed portraits, and correspondence. Many of the individuals associated with the battle of San Jacinto are represented, including Sam Houston and David Burnet. Most of the documents in the collection bear the names or the signatures of individuals who fought in the battle or were significant to the history of the Republic of Texas. The collection is organized chronologically, with undated materials being filed at the back.
