page_title: Twin Sisters (cannons)
section_title: Texas Revolution
hierarchical_section_title: Twin Sisters (cannons) / History / Texas Revolution
context_page_description: The Twin Sisters are a pair of cannons used by Texas Military Forces during the Texas Revolution. They are among the most famous artillery in Texas military history with the "Come and Take It" cannon starting the revolution at the Battle of Gonzales and the Twin Sisters winning it at the Battle of San Jacinto. The Twin Sisters were also potentially used during the Mexican Invasions of 1842 and American Civil War.
  Their disappearance and ensuing search efforts have fueled their notoriety, colloquially referred to as the "Texas Holy Grail."
context_section_description: The Twin Sisters played a vital role as the only Texian artillery in the Battle of San Jacinto, which effectively ended the Texas Revolution and established the Republic of Texas.
  They arrived at Brazoria on March 28, 1836 and were received by Captain John M. Allen as the Texian Army, under command of General Sam Houston, was maneuvering against the Mexican Army, under command of General Santa Anna, near San Felipe de Austin, approximately 90 miles away. Fearful of interception, quartermaster general Colonel Almanzon Huston ordered the Twin Sisters to Galveston Island via the schooner Pennsylvania. They arrived on April 3 and were received by Colonel Edward Harcourt. Secretary of War David Thomas then ordered the steamboat Ohio under command of Captain Aaron Burns to retrieve them via the Buffalo Bayou for relocation to Harrisburg. The Ohio arrived at New Washington on April 6 where the schooner Flash, under the command of Captain Luke Falval and supervision of Secretary of the Navy Robert Potter, were waiting with the Twin Sisters.
  The Twin Sisters arrived in Harrisburg on April 8 and were loaded onto bullock carts by Major Leander Smith, Captain John M. Allen, and Captain Alfred Henderson Wyly for transport to the Bernardo Plantation (near Hempstead) where the Texian Army was now encamped. The 44,000 acre plantation was the first and largest cotton plantation in Texas. It was established by Old Three Hundred settler Jared E. Groce who freely provided refuge to the Texian cause. Stalled by the "sea of mud" from April showers, the detachment completed the 60 mile trip on April 13. They are received by Lieutenant Colonel James C. Neill, who assigns a company of nine soldiers to each cannon:
  On April 20, the Twin Sisters are engaged in combat for the first time during a skirmish near San Jacinto. Artillery commanders from both armies were severely wounded. Mexican commander of the "Golden Standard" Captain Fernando Urriza is relieved by Lieutenant Ygnacio Joaquin del Arenal. Texian commander Lieutenant Colonel James C. Neill is relieved by Inspector General Lieutenant Colonel George Washington Hockley. On April 21 at 4:30p CST, the Twin Sisters, positioned in the center of the formation, initiated the Battle of San Jacinto with the first volley into Mexican forces. With major combat over in 18 minutes, a 1.5:1 strength ratio, and a 28:1 causality ratio, it is consider by some historians among the most one-sided victories in history. The Twins Sisters final role in the revolution were providing security for the 300 prisoners of war during the Treaties of Velasco.
  Sources
caption: Battle of San Jacinto, 21 April 1836
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