Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Texan Capture of Mexican Dispatches
The San Jacinto Campaign in Southwest Harris County
By Gregory Walker, May 8, 2010
1. Texan Capture of Mexican Dispatches Marker
After the fall of the Alamo on March 6, 1836, Gen. Sam Houston led the Texan Army in retreat from Gonzales. The Mexican army under Gen. Santa Anna followed eastward from San Antonio. On April 14, while Houston's army was north of him, Santa Anna led a division of his army from the Brazos River near present Richmond to Harrisburg. He crossed present southwest Harris County, then an uninhabited prairie, and reached Harrisburg (12 miles east of this site) on April 15. The Mexicans burned Harrisburg on April 17 and continued marching east.Houston's army, arriving at Buffalo Bayou opposite Harrisburg on April 18, found the town in ruins, but did not know the whereabouts of the Mexican army. That day, Texan scouts led by Erastus "Deaf" Smith captured three Mexicans, including Capt. Miguel Bachiller, a courier, and a guide in this vicinity. The prisoners and their dispatches revealed the location, size, and plans of the Mexican army. With this vital intelligence, Houston intercepted Santa Anna's march on April 20 and defeated his division with a surprise attack on April 21 at the San Jacinto River. The Battle of San Jacinto ended the Texas
By Gregory Walker, May 8, 2010
2. Location of Mexican Dispatches Marker
Erected 1989 by Texas Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Texas Independence.
Location. 29° 42.345′ N, 95° 27.867′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. Marker is on North 2nd Street north of Bellaire Boulevard, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bellaire TX 77401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bellaire Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bellaire Streetcar Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bellaire (approx. 0.3 miles away); Teas Nursery Company (approx. 0.8 miles away); City of West University Place (approx. 1.7 miles away); Astrodome (approx. 3.6 miles away); Forum of Civics of River Oaks Garden Club (approx. 3.8 miles away); Rice University (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
Also see . . . Erastus "Deaf" Smith article in the Handbook of Texas. (Submitted on September 19, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,400 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
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