Sam Houston was born March 2, 1793, in Rockbridge, Virginia. Sam Houston moved with his family to a farm in rural Tennessee in his youth after his dad died in 1807. 

While in Tennessee, he lived for nearly three years with the Cherokee Indians in eastern Tennessee, where he took the name Black Raven and learned the Cherokee language, skills, and customs. Houston thus developed a rapport with the Indians that was unique for his day.

Sam Houston served in the War of 1812 with Andrew Jackson in the campaign against the Creeks in 1814. Following the war, Jackson helped Houston secure a position as the Indian Agent for the Cherokee. He gained the enmity of those who were taking advantage of the Cherokee.

Sam Houston went back to school and studied law. In just six months he finished and was admitted to practice in 1818. He was elected attorney general of Tennessee. He also served in the U.S House of Representatives as a Democrat from Tennessee in 1823, serving two terms.

Sam Houston resigns as Governor of Tennessee and leaves Nashville to live among the Cherokee until 1832 when President Andrew Jackson sent Sam Houston to Texas, then a Mexican province. He was to negotiate Indian treaties for the protection of U.S. border traders.

He arrived in Texas and quickly noticed the heated contest between settlers and the Mexican government for control of the are. 

When they rose in rebellion against Mexico in November 1835, Houston was chosen commander in chief of their army. 

The Battle of San Jacinto began.