General Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto painting by S. Seymour Thomas. The Battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the Texian Army engaged and defeated General Antonio L籀pez de Santa Anna's Mexican army in a fight that lasted just 18 minutes. About 630 of the Mexican soldiers were killed and 730 captured, while only nine Texans died. Samuel "Sam" Houston (March 2, 1793 - July 26, 1863) was an American statesman, politician, and soldier. He is best known for his leadership in bringing Texas into the United States. He was elected as the first and third President of the Republic of Texas, Senator for Texas after it joined the United States, and finally as a governor of the state. He refused to swear loyalty to the Confederacy when Texas seceded from the Union in 1861 with the outbreak of the American Civil War, and was removed from office. His health deteriorated in early 1863 due to a persistent cough, that developed into pneumonia. He succumbed to the illness and died at the age of 70.