Sam Houston is a Texas icon. General Houston signed the
Texas Declaration of Independence on his 43rd birthday, and six
weeks later he led the Texas Army to a spectacular victory at San Jacinto. “Old
Sam Jacinto” twice was elected president of the Republic of Texas; he served thirteen
years as U.S. Senator from the State of Texas; and he won election as governor
of the Lone Star State.
Before he came to Texas Houston twice lived with the
Cherokee. As a young army officer he was severely wounded while leading charges
at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and while still in his twenties Houston became
major general of the Tennessee State Militia. In Tennessee he was elected to Congress
and to the governorship, ultimately becoming the only man ever elected governor
of two states. He knew and worked with fourteen consecutive U.S. presidents, from
Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Lincoln, as well as Jefferson Davis, who became
president of the Confederacy.
Soldier, statesman, duelist, brawler, thrice
married – Sam Houston lived a turbulent and controversial life filled with drama,
conflict, and superlative achievements. From Houston’s Virginia birthplace to
his homes and grave in Huntsville, from Horseshoe Bend to San Jacinto, Bill
O’Neal repeatedly has visited the sites of Sam Houston’s life. O’Neal lectured
about Houston for more than three decades in Texas history classes at Panola
College, and the response to his public lecture on Houston as a leader at the
Bob Bullock Museum inspired this book.
Written by Bill O'Neal
Paperback - 268 Pages
