Books with title Sam Houston: Texas Hero

Crushing losses at the Alamo and Goliad sent the Texans reeling. With the stronger Mexican army poised for victory, General Sam Houston commanded all that remained of the Texas army fighting for its independence. Greatly outnumbered, General Houston mounted his white horse and led his soldiers into battle at San Jacinto. Surprising the Mexican troops with their bold attack, the fiery Texans rallied to an overwhelming victory, claiming their independence. One of the founders of Texas, Sam Houston served the state as a governor and senator—but he's most remembered as an American hero.

Fourteen-year-old Cat Jennings lives—and works—on a hardscrabble farm outside Bastrop, Texas, with her parents, an older brother Charlie, and three younger children—Holly, Benjie, and Susanna. But her father has gone to fight at the Alamo, and Charlie has left to join him. When Cat learns that the Alamo has fallen with no survivors, she takes off on horseback to ride across South Texas and urge volunteers to join Sam Houston’s army. She soon runs into Johnny Jenkins, who is both her nemesis and her first love. Johnny is on his way to join Houston, even though Cat tells him he’s too young. As she rides from cabin to cabin, Cat meets fascinating characters, like the gentle widow Polly who won’t believe that her son died at the Alamo. And she has near misses with a Mexican brigade and roughnecks who try to kidnap her. Disguised as a boy, she runs into the Texian army—only to find that they are retreating! She also finds Charlie and Johnny with Houston, but when she wants to leave for home, General Houston won’t allow it. So Cat joins the Runaway Scrape and follows Houston and his army to San Jacinto, arguing all the way with Johnny and Charlie, who think Houston is a coward for retreating and cruel for burning the towns he marches through. Cat argues that he is the hero who will save Texas. According to her great-granddaughter, the real Catherine Jennings did make such a ride after her father, Gordon Jennings, was killed at the Alamo. The rest of this story is fiction based on historical research.

A BOY VOLUNTEER IN THE TEXAS STRUGGLES FORINDEPENDENCE, WHEN IN THE YEARS 1835–1836 THETEXAS COLONISTS THREW OFF THE UNJUST RULE OFMEXICO, AND BY HEROIC DEEDS ESTABLISHED, UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE BLUFF SAM HOUSTON, THEIR OWN FREE REPUBLIC WHICH TO-DAY IS THEGREAT LONE STAR STATEBYEDWIN L. SABINAUTHOR OF “ON THE PLAINS WITH CUSTER,” “BUFFALO BILLAND THE OVERLAND TRAIL,” ETC.Sam Houston should justly be regarded as a great American. He laid his course and steered by it utterly regardless of the opposition. Strong characters are known as much by the enemies that they make as by the friends that they retain. Whenthey launch into a course that they deem is right, they do not depend upon fair winds. They go ahead, if they have real faith. Threats, ridicule and dangers do not daunt them. Sometimes they may pause, to renew their courage; but they proceed again on the same line. Such a character was Sam Houston. To his friends he was loyal; to his enemies he was unyielding; his ideals were high; and he loved his country.