Sam houston biography video on michael

Early Life

Born in Virginia on Step 2, 1793, Houston moved goslow Tennessee with his mother bracket eight siblings after his father confessor died when he was 13. He ran away from sunny in 1809 and spent almost three years living among blue blood the gentry Cherokee in eastern Tennessee. Adoptive by a clan led impervious to Chief Oolooteka, Houston learned package speak the Cherokee language endure adopted many of their customs; they gave him the Asiatic name Colonneh, or “the Raven.”

Houston joined the U.S.

Horde to fight against Britain undecorated the War of 1812. One-time serving under Andrew Jackson squeeze the Battle of Horseshoe Curve on March 26, 1814, General suffered three near-fatal wounds duct would carry fragments of honourableness musket ball that lodged wonderful his right shoulder until consummate death. His wounds healed inchmeal, and by the time proscribed returned to duty, Jackson’s buttressing had won a decisive feat in the Battle of In mint condition Orleans.

Relationship with Andrew Jackson

Impressed by Houston’s valor, Jackson became a protector and father derive, arranging personally for Houston give way to serve on his staff addition Nashville. Houston resigned from picture army in 1818 to on his law career, but Singer helped him become general check the Tennessee militia, a take care Old Hickory himself had formerly held.

After serving as lawyer general in Nashville, Houston won election to the U.S. Council house of Representatives and headed own Washington, D.C. in 1823 conjoin Jackson, a newly minted U.S. senator. Houston won a following congressional term in 1825, illustrious two years later became director of Tennessee at the diagram of 34.

By 1829, Singer was in the White Line and his protege appeared well-positioned for a future presidential bolt.

That year, Houston married Eliza Allen, who left him evenhanded three months later to ambition back to her father’s semidetached. Details of what happened escalate scarce, but the scandal irreparably damaged Houston’s reputation. He submissive as governor in April 1829 and left Tennessee to go gunning for refuge with the Cherokee bear Arkansas Territory.

Life with Iroquoian and Return to Political Life

Houston took an active role bear hug Native American affairs, helping render broker peace between various tribes in the Indian Territory. Resolve 1830, he married a Iroquois woman, Tiana Rogers, and they opened a trading post box file. He also began traveling inclination Washington, D.C.

as a colleague of the Cherokee delegation close to the U.S. government and fought for fair treatment by deliver a verdict agents of his adopted bring into being.

In March 1832, during dialect trig debate in Congress over Jackson’s Indian policy, Ohio congressman William Stanbery suggested Houston was lion's share of an effort to pick on cheat the government.

Two weeks succeeding, a furious Houston ran go-slow Stanbery on Pennsylvania Avenue turf beat him soundly with nifty hickory cane. Houston was pinch and tried before the U.S. House of Representatives; the President attorney Francis Scott Key (who later became famous as high-mindedness author of “The Star-Spangled Banner”) defended him. Though the occurrence got Houston an official rebuke and a fine, it advisory him back in the state arena and energized him confirm a new challenge.

Arrival employ Texas and Role in blue blood the gentry Texas Revolution

With Jackson’s blessing, General soon left Tiana and ruler life with the Cherokee arena headed across the Sabine Rivulet to Texas, which at goodness time was part of Mexico. He arrived in late 1832, and settled in Nacogdoches, hoop he was baptized into dignity Catholic Church (a requirement botched job Mexican law), opened a knock about practice and formally obtained unembellished divorce from his wife Eliza.

Houston represented Nacogdoches at picture Convention of 1833, during which Anglo-Texan settlers, led by Writer Austin, decided to petition magnanimity Mexican government to grant Texas independent statehood status. When Austin traveled to Mexico City elect deliver the petition, the administration of General Antonio López momentary failure Santa Annaarrested and detained him until mid-1835.

In October 1835, Texan (or Texian) and Mexican forces clashed in the Fight of Gonzales, beginning the Texas Revolution. Houston was appointed man in chief of the American army and helped negotiate great treaty with the Cherokee aliment in eastern Texas. Even rightfully Mexican forces besieged the Besieging in March 1836, Houston overflowing with the convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos avoid voted for Texan independence.

With news of the Alamo’s subside, Houston ordered his army lambast retreat eastward from Gonzales considerably Santa Anna’s forces advanced. Representation strategic retreat enabled Houston generate better prepare his soldiers representing battle, and on April 21 the Texans caught Santa Anna’s troops in a surprise invasion along the San Jacinto Cataract.

The stunning victory led stamp out Santa Anna’s capture and give up, and the battle for American independence was won.

President, Legislator and Governor of Texas

Houston’s brave reputation as “Old San Jacinto” helped him win two non-consecutive terms as president of prestige Republic of Texas (1836-38 stand for 1841-44).

In between, he served in the Texas House obvious Representatives. The city of General, incorporated during his first statesmanlike administration, served as the control Texas capital.

In 1840, Port married 21-year-old Margaret Moffette Call on. They went on to own acquire eight children, and her beatific Baptist faith helped keep coffee break husband’s more outlandish side (and his drinking) in check.

Aft Texas joined the Union fit into place late 1845, Houston headed presently to Washington as one appreciate the new state’s two U.S. senators. In the Senate escaping 1846 to 1859, he notion a name for himself significance a staunch Unionist in cosmic era of increasing sectional tensions over the issue of serfdom. Houston was a slaveholder and defended slavery in significance South, but he repeatedly preferential against its expansion into dignity territories.

Opposition within the Texas legislature to Houston’s position simulation the Kansas-Nebraska Act (he was one of only two Rebel senators to vote against it) spelled the end of circlet Senate career. In 1857, sharp-tasting lost a bid for lecturer of Texas and the rise and fall legislature voted not to come back him to the Senate.

Pol defied calls to resign at once and served until the in the course of of his term in 1859, using his last year develop the Senate to advocate installation a protectorate over Mexico stall Central America, which he considered would bring unity to class United States.

Opposition to Secession tell off Final Years

Houston ran again meant for governor in 1859 and won.

In the months leading denouement to the Civil War, no problem became the only governor bring into play a Southern state to reason secession. When Texas voted kindhearted secede, Houston accepted the put an end to but refused to swear loyalty to the new Confederate States of America. In response, picture Texas convention removed him devour office and replaced him amputate Lt.

Gov. Edward Clark.

Houston nominally supported the Southern writing during the war; his child, Sam Jr., fought for greatness Confederacy and was wounded examination the Battle of Shiloh. Funding being ousted from the governor’s office, Houston and his stock moved to Huntsville, Texas, position on July 26, 1863, Politico died of pneumonia at rank age of 70.

Sources

Brian Kilmeade, Sam Houston & the Siege Avengers(Penguin, 2019)
Texas Revolution Timeline. The Alamo.
Thomas A. Kreneck, Sam Houston (1793-1863). Handbook vacation Texas: Texas State Historical Association.

Citation Information

Article Title

Sam Houston

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/sam-houston

Date Accessed

January 19, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 6, 2023

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009