The
old battlefield will boom with cannons, the thunder of hooves,
and the crackle and smoke of musket fire to bring from the
grave a 160 year old engagement between the Texans and the
Mexican Army. In the battle, the freedom of Texas from Mexico
was won and a stepping stone was placed for the acquisition
of the United States for the states of almost one third
of the nation which included Texas, New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, California, Utah and parts of Colorado, Wyoming,
Kansas, and Oklahoma. Texas had declared its independence
on March 2, 1836 and less than two months later the defeat
of Santa Anna at San Jacinto. The location is La Porte,
3523 Highway 134 LaPorte,
TX 77571 281/479-2431 , just outside of
Houston. The web page for the battleship is: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/battlesh/index.htm.
Other Texas State Park Historical events scheduled
for 2004 may be view atthe same location.
General
Houston ordered his troops to advance and start shooting
– the battle only lasted 18 minutes, but the Texans were
so angry over the defeat at the Alamo and at Goliad they
continued to kill Mexicans into the dark shadows of the
night.
The
reenactment will be true to period costumes and weapons.
This day full of excitement will be free and only a small
entry charge for the ride to the top of the San Jacinto
Monument. There will be tours of the Battleship of Texas
and a 55 th birthday party at 1:00 for the great ship.
During
the day the events will be:
10:00
a.m. Festival and Reenactment Camps
to be visited.
3:00
p.m. Battle Reenactment
4:30
p.m. Memorial Service
5:00
p.m. Festival Continues (Camps close)
6:00
p.m. Festival Closes
There
will be plenty of special exhibits and crafts from blacksmith's
shops to life in an 1836 military camp. Special archeological
exhibits will take place in the “San Jacinto Museum of History
with a multitude of artifacts. Special guest speakers will
participate. At 11:30 there will be Texas-style food served
at a reasonable price.
Texas
Forever , an exciting
multi-image presentation will cover the events leading up
to and through the battle.
As
a child I remember the trips to the Battleship of Texas
and ascending the great heights of the monument. This is
an excellent “take the family to event.” If your children
have never seen a reenactment, this will be a thrilling
event as the battle takes place. It is also an excellent
time to do photography. I personally recommend 200+ telephoto
lens if you have them. Don't forget to bring ear plugs.
The cannons can actually make the earth tremble. In my photojournalism
coverage of reenactments I have learned this the hard way.
Photographs provided by the Greater Houston Convention and
Visitors Bureau.
Be
sure to check by phone at 281 479-2421 for the final event
schedule since they are subject to change. A visit to www.sanjacinto-museum.org
. Another
wonderful web site is: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/sanjac/walktour.htm
the Battleship Texas State Historic Site.
Happy Traveling
