1836
Battle of San Jacinto
The setting
Near the San Jacinto River, present-day Harris County, Texas
Coastal prairie and marsh bordered by the river and a bayou, limiting Mexican escape
Reveal the outcome
Recorded sideRepublic of Texas (Texian Army)
Recorded resultDecisive victory
Texian victory; won Texas independence
How the atlas explains it
Houston attacked during the Mexican afternoon rest, achieving complete surprise; his line crossed the open ground and broke the unprepared camp in about 18 minutes. The river and marsh trapped fleeing soldiers, and cries of 'Remember the Alamo' turned the rout into slaughter.
What followed
The capture of Santa Anna forced the Treaties of Velasco and secured the independence of the Republic of Texas.