Initial Engagement and Mexican Retreat
A second detachment of Houston's cavalry had been sent to New Washington to reconnoiter Santa Anna's movements. This detachment found the Mexicans had burned the town and were advancing toward Lynch's Ferry. The Mexican Army arrived at site Marker 11 about noon. Santa Anna had his only artillery piece, a 12 pounder called "The Golden Standard", open fire on the Texans from high ground to the south (right from your perspective) of the mid-point of the present day reflecting pool.
He also sent a company of infantry to fire on the Texans from a position near the northwest corner (near left corner from your perspective) of the present day reflecting pool. The "Twin Sisters", the Texans' two 6-pounder cannon, loaded with grape shot (small cannon balls that functioned like shotgun pellets) and broken horseshoes, drove the Mexican infantry back, but not before Colonel J.C. Neal, the officer in charge of the Texas artillery, was wounded. When the Mexican Army withdrew, it made camp about 3/4 of a mile east-southeast of the Texans' camp, beyond the present day monument.
Keep in mind when locations are described relative to the reflecting pool, the monument, the Battleship TEXAS, and paved roads that none of these structures were here in 1836.
Hike to the Sundial, the bronze circles forming a sphere with an arrow in it to the south, to continue the tour.
