How Did Houston A Lack Of Shared Understanding

The lack of Shared Understanding was probably the single most principle that led General Houston to nearly be removed from his position multiple times throughout the campaign. The provisional Texian Government sent Colonel Rusk to Groce’s farm to remove him because they did not know why he was avoiding battle . The lack of Shared Understanding also extended down to his men. Upon hearing that the Alamo was taken and the men at Goliad were executed, General Houston decided to retreat to be near the United States forces because of his past relationships and the likelihood of drawing the nation into the conflict. Although sound reasoning, he did not tell anyone of this until 1845 when he addressed a crowd at a political rally . This continued to

As previously mentioned, the Texians committed a slaughter with abandon. General Houston that capturing Mexican leadership, especially General Santa Anna was key to victory. If they killed him or he escaped then the other Mexican forces would then destroy the Texian force in a counterattack. General Houston’s outburst at seeing what he thought was a Mexican column is an indicator of his understanding. No one else in the Texian army understood this. General Santa Anna would have most likely been executed on the spot if not for lying to the Texians and calling himself a common soldier. General Houston only entrusted his most valuable scout “Deaf” Smith with finding General Santa Anna . The men all called for the execution of General Santa Anna when they heard he was with General Houston. This lack of understanding shows that leaders in the highest positions with the Texians did not have a commander’s intent or understanding of the greater purpose of keeping General Santa Anna alive. If they would have executed the Mexican General then the Texian forces would surely have been defeated

It was a prudent tactical, operational, and strategic plan given the Texian objective. He did not relate this to his men except for maybe to Colonel Rusk but only to prevent him from being relieved. This lack of shared understanding led to many problems throughout the campaign. General Houston faced revolt at every turn because his men did not trust him and he did not trust them. This climate caused him to expose his force to unnecessary risk. When exposed to that risk his men did not understand his intent and did not share his discipline. The lack of these principles being followed would have been devastating to the Texian force if not for the Mexican tactical failures. The Mexican forces, unnecessarily, split their forces into segments smaller than the Texians. They also failed to understand that the capture of General Santa Anna was the decisive point in the entire campaign. As celebrated as General Sam Houston is and as remarkable as his victory might have been, it is a clear vignette of failing to apply the principles of Mission Command and the conflict it will cause in an