Bridges history column: At the height of his power, Santa Anna set his sights on Texas

Editor's note: This is part two of three on a series about the life of Santa Anna, who has been portrayed as one of the great villains of Texas history. Part one explored Santa Anna's complicated role in the history of Mexico as president on 11 different occasions and a leader in supressing rebellions. Today's column focuses on his role at the Alamo. Part three will cover his later years in life.

In 1836, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the president and general who dominated the political scene in Mexico, rose into Texas with his army, with destruction on his mind. He was determined to put down the uprising of the Texas colonists. He had spent months campaigning across Mexico to put down other rebellions, stepping down from the presidency to do it. Nevertheless, he was at the height of his power in Mexico; and for his opponents, including Texas, he was at the height of his cruelty.

When he reached San Antonio, he found the small outpost on the edge of the town defiantly standing their ground. The Alamo was once part of a Spanish mission complex.  Determined to eradicate any opposition, Santa Anna settled in for a siege on February 23. The Texans put up a furious resistance though they were outnumbered perhaps as much as 10:1. Santa Anna watched his own casualties increase. Col. William B. Travis sent word out, asking for reinforcements, but none were coming. On March 6, he ordered a final assault, signaling to the Texans there would be no quarter. More than 180 Texans died defending the Alamo, but Santa Anna had three times as many casualties.

Three weeks later, Santa Anna repeated his depredations. More than 400 Texas troops, led by Col. James Fannin, had surrendered at Goliad. On March 27, Santa Anna ordered their execution. Each man was to die for defying him. The general had overseen these tactics since he was a young officer; but even in the years before the Geneva Convention and the fair treatment of prisoners, the Goliad Massacre was still condemned an atrocity.

Texas forces led by Gen. Sam Houston were preparing for Santa Anna’s march eastward. But Santa Anna’s arrogance would be his downfall. At the Battle of San Jacinto, near modern-day Houston, on April 27, he allowed his troops to rest for the afternoon while Houston gathered his forces. In a surprise assault, Houston overpowered the Mexican army, forcing their surrender. Santa Anna, however, had escaped. Instead of standing with his men, he turned and ran. A Texas patrol found him some time later, disguised as a private. After his captured troops in their stockade gave him away under cries of “Presidente,” the Texans realized who they had captured.

Santa Anna was brought before Houston, still in the private’s uniform and totally humiliated. He agreed to recognize Texas independence and order the withdrawal of all Mexican troops in Texas. Mexico refused to recognize the treaty, and Santa Anna was sent to the United States.

After he was allowed to return in 1837, he found himself powerless. When France attempted to invade Mexico in 1838, the new government allowed him to take command of an army unit. Called the “Pastry War” after debts owed to French citizens, Santa Anna fought several battles with the French. During one fight, he was shot in the hand and the leg. The leg was amputated, and Santa Anna ordered it be buried with full military honors. In spite of a peace treaty that forced Mexico to pay off the French, Santa Anna was now seen as a hero again. Afterward, he led a coup against the government, leading Mexico again for four months before stepping down once again. Santa Anna was at the center of Mexico’s political chaos in this period, and he still looked to another attack on Texas as revenge for his humiliation during the Texas Revolution.

Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan. He holds a doctorate from the University of North Texas. Bridges can be reached by email at drkenbridges@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Bridges: At height of his power, Santa Anna set sights on Texas