Sam Houston's Copy of His Official Report of the Battle of San Jacinto
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The Texian Army halted within half a mile of the Ferry in some timber,
and were engaged in slaughtering beeves, when the army of Gen Santa Anna
was discovered to be approaching in battle array, having been encamped at
Clopper's point eight miles below- Disposition was immediately made of our
forces, and preparation for his reception - He took a position with his Infantry &
Artillery in the center occupying an island of timber- his cavalry covering the left
flank. Their artillery then opened upon our Encampment, consisting of one doub=
lle fortified medium brass twelve pounders - The Infantry in columns advanced
with the design of charging [our lines] but were repulsed by a discharge of
grape and cannister from our artillery, consisting of one double fortified
two six pounders. The Enemy had occupied a piece of timber within
rifle shot of the left wing of our Army, from which an occassional
interchange of small arms took place between the troops, until the
Enemy withdrew to a position on the bank of the San Jacinto, about
three quarters of a mile from our Encampment and commenced a fortifi=
cation - A short time before sunset our mounted men, about Eighty-
five in number, under the special command of Col. Sherman, march'd
out for the purpose of reconoitering the Enemy. Whilst advancing
they received a volley from the left of the Enemy's Infantry, and after
a sharp rencountre with their cavalry, in which ours acted extremely well
and performed some feats of daring chivalry, they retired in good order
having had two men severely wounded, and several horses killed, in the mean
time the Infantry under the command of Lieut Col. Millard and Col.
Burleson's regiment, with the Artillery had marched out for the purpose of
covering the retreat of the Cavalry, if necessary; all then fell back in good
order to our Encampment about sunset, and remained without any ostensible
action until the 21st at ½ past 3 o'clock, taking the first refreshment which
they had enjoyed for two days. The Enemy in the mean time, having
extended the right flank of their Infantry so as to occupy the extreme points
of a skirt of timber on the bank of the San Jacinto and secured their
left by a fortification about 5 feet high, constructed of packs and
Baggage, leaving an opening in the centre of the Breastwork in which