with the faction agitating for Texan independence and assumed a
leadership role among them.x The commander of the Mexican army at San Jacinto was Antonio
Lopez de Santa Anna, a fascinating character who dominated nearly
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bored, capable of manic energy but prone to wallowing in self-
indulgence, Santa Anna was obviously a complex individual and
continues to be controversial today.x In 1810, at the age of 16, he enrolled as a cadet in the army. Two
months after his enlistment, the Mexican War of Independence
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Indians, insurgents, and royalists and rising to the rank of colonel.
He was wounded at least once and cited for bravery and elevated to
the rank of general.x Perhaps his moment of greatest popularity came when Spain made
a rather feeble attempt to retake Mexico in 1829, and Santa Anna
led the Mexican army in defeating the invading force at the Battle
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permanent Mexican independence from Spain, but Santa Anna
reveled excessively in honors resulting from his success.x ,QDIWHUVHYHUDOPRUHFRXSVKHEHFDPHSUHVLGHQWIRUWKH¿UVW
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next three years, he was in and out of the presidency three times,
eventually dissolving the government and declaring himself dictator.The Campaign
x New Spain encompassed not only modern Mexico, but it also
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coastline, including all of California. When Mexico gained
independence from Spain in the early 1800s, it inherited this vast,
sparsely populated region.