<P> At this point, Santa Anna believed the rebellion was in its final death throes . The Texian government had been forced off the mainland, with no way to communicate with its army, which had shown no interest in fighting . He determined to block the Texian army's retreat and put a decisive end to the war . Almonte's scouts incorrectly reported that Houston's army was going to Lynchburg Crossing, on Buffalo Bayou, in preparation for joining the government in Galveston, so Santa Anna ordered Harrisburg burned and pressed on towards Lynchburg . </P> <P> The Texian army had resumed their march eastward . On April 16, they came to a crossroads; one road led north towards Nacogdoches, the other went to Harrisburg . Without orders from Houston and with no discussion amongst themselves, the troops in the lead took the road to Harrisburg . They arrived on April 18, not long after the Mexican army's departure . That same day, Deaf Smith and Henry Karnes captured a Mexican courier carrying intelligence on the locations and future plans of all of the Mexican troops in Texas . Realizing that Santa Anna had only a small force and was not far away, Houston gave a rousing speech to his men, exhorting them to "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad". His army then raced towards Lynchburg . Out of concern that his men might not differentiate between Mexican soldiers and the Tejanos in Seguín's company, Houston originally ordered Seguín and his men to remain in Harrisburg to guard those who were too ill to travel quickly . After loud protests from Seguín and Antonio Menchaca, the order was rescinded, provided the Tejanos wear a piece of cardboard in their hats to identify them as Texian soldiers . </P> <P> The area along Buffalo Bayou had many thick oak groves, separated by marshes . This type of terrain was familiar to the Texians and quite alien to the Mexican soldiers . Houston's army, comprising 900 men, reached Lynch's Ferry mid-morning on April 20; Santa Anna's 700 - man force arrived a few hours later . The Texians made camp in a wooded area along the bank of Buffalo Bayou; while the location provided good cover and helped hide their full strength, it also left the Texians no room for retreat . Over the protests of several of his officers, Santa Anna chose to make camp in a vulnerable location, a plain near the San Jacinto River, bordered by woods on one side, marsh and lake on another . The two camps were approximately 500 yards (460 m) apart, separated by a grassy area with a slight rise in the middle . Colonel Pedro Delgado later wrote that "the camping ground of His Excellency's selection was in all respects, against military rules . Any youngster would have done better ." </P> <P> Over the next several hours, two brief skirmishes occurred . Texians won the first, forcing a small group of dragoons and the Mexican artillery to withdraw . Mexican dragoons then forced the Texian cavalry to withdraw . In the melee, Rusk, on foot to reload his rifle, was almost captured by Mexican soldiers, but was rescued by newly arrived Texian volunteer Mirabeau B. Lamar . Over Houston's objections, many infantrymen rushed onto the field . As the Texian cavalry fell back, Lamar remained behind to rescue another Texian who had been thrown from his horse; Mexican officers "reportedly applauded" his bravery . Houston was irate that the infantry had disobeyed his orders and given Santa Anna a better estimate of their strength; the men were equally upset that Houston hadn't allowed a full battle . </P>

Which of the following factors led texas to declare independence from mexico