Aware of news of the fall of the Alamo, but also aware of the numerical superiority of the enemy, Houston immediately ordered a retreat eastward, or toward the Louisiana border, where he could, as a last resort, seek shelter or seek help from his friend, US President Andrew Jackson.
That decision also led to a civilian confusion known as the Runaway Scrape.
Santa Ana's advance, however, was slowed by the rains and bad weather, and an additional problem was the lack of information on the enemy's position. In an effort to end the war as quickly as possible, and after information that the Texas Provisional Government had taken refuge in Galveston, Santa Anna decided to split its forces, that is, with a smaller but moving flying column to occupy the city and capture the rebel leaders.
Houston used this to confront him with his troops on the San Jacinto River. Even so weakened, Santa Anna's army was so overwhelming over Houston that on April 20, when they met, Santa Anna allowed her troops the afternoon siesta the next day. This was used by Houston to carry out a raid the next day that would lead to the Battle of San Jacinto; in it, the Mexicans are completely shattered and Santa Anna captured. In front of Houston, who was wounded in the battle, he agreed to sign the Welsh agreements that formally ended the war and recognized the independence of the newly declared Republic of Texas. The Mexican troops subsequently retreated across the border.
