At the end of February, 1836, they began to arrive at a little settlement on the Brazos River called Washington. There were fifty-nine of them from all parts of the Mexican province, Texas. On March 1, they entered a wood frame building owned by a local gunsmith. Construction of the building was not yet complete. They were there for the purpose of writing a constitution and establishing, at least in ink, a republic. The little building is today known as Independence Hall.

Two hundred miles away, twenty-six-year-old Colonel William Barrett Travis was pondering the hopelessness of his situation in an old Spanish mission called the Alamo. There he commanded approximately 185 men who were determined to stand against the thousands of troops under the command of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

The fifty-nine members of the delegation knew that all means of a peaceful resolution to their differences were impossible. There had been many diplomatic efforts, which were refused. Uprisings were thwarted by the overwhelming force of Santa Anna's army.

The time was pushed upon them to create a separate country, free of Mexico, or be subject to more hardship brought on by the tyrant, Santa Anna.

A cold front had moved in, making the little frame building a very uncomfortable place; it had not yet had any windows installed. The temperatures dropped to the low thirties.

Travis sent out a rider, requesting help from the delegation. The final assault on the Alamo was ordered in near-freezing temperatures, at about dawn on March 6, 1836. Witnesses said gunfire was heard until about noon that day. All defenders were put to death.

But, the work at Washington continued until March 17, 1836 when the constitution was completed. The completion of the consitution however, did not mean that Texas was free. After the convention, the citizens of Washington left the little village to join the Runaway Scrape as it was to be known. Santa Anna was on the move and in hot pursuit of the Texians.

Sam Houston led the Runaway Scrape, which consisted of his little, inadaquately trained, inexperienced army of less than 900 men, followed by their families, friends and Texas residents. For days on end, it appeared that the little ragtag army was running from Santa Anna. With each scouting report telling of Santa Anna's location, Houston ordered his command east, toward the Sabine River and the United States. At one point, on April 18, 1836, scouts reported to Houston that Santa Anna had just left the town of Harrisburg in flames. Houston then ordered his command south for a two-and-a-half-day forced march of fifty-five miles - toward Harrisburg. Any thoughts of Houston's cowardice were quickly forgotten. He was now, at long last, pursuing Santa Anna. With the capture of one of Santa Anna's couriers, it was learned that Santa Anna's army was camped along the San Jacinto River. There was one convenient road, with one bridge, crossing Sim's Bayou into the area of the San Jacinto River. Houston ordered his men to cross Vince's Bridge, which afforded the most likely path of reinforcements for Santa Anna. After which, he ordered it burned! There would be no escape by either army, nor would there be reinforcements.

At a few minutes before 3pm on April 21, 1836, Houston ordered his untested little army to assemble. During a brief speech, he spoke those immortal words, "Remember the Alamo - Remember Goliad!" These words became a battle cry that would in time, resonate around the world. In less than twenty minutes, that little band of farmers, ranchers, clerks, preachers and laborers won one of the most decisive victories in world history, the Battle of San Jacinto!

General Santa Anna lost 600 men killed, 208 wounded and 730 captured that day. General Houston lost 9 killed and 30 wounded, including himself.

To reach Washington on the Brazos State Park from Navasota, travel west from Navasota on Texas highway 105, cross the Brazos River and proceed to FM 1155. Turn south on FM 1155 and drive approximately 3 miles.

To reach Washington on the Brazos State Park from Chapell Hill, take US 290 to Chapell Hill, turn north on FM 1155 and go 19 miles.

The home of Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas is located at Washington on the Brazos State Park.

To learn more about the San Jacinto Battleground State Park, click here.