The Legend of San Jacinto
A young woman's husband is killed in a duel over her honor. She marries the man who killed him but later discovers he was only trying to protect her from another suitor.
By O. Henry · First published 1903 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Legend, Literary Fiction · 1,294 words
First lines
The battle ground of San Jacinto is a historic spot, very dear to those who make the past reputation of Texas a personal matter. A Texan who does not thrill at the mention of the locality where General Sam Houston and other gentlemen named after the counties of Texas, captured Santa Anna and his portable bar and side arms, is a baseborn slave.
A few days ago a Post reporter who has a friend who is a pilot on the tug boat Hoodoo Jane went down the bayou to the battle ground with the intention of gathering from some of the old inhabitants a few of the stories and legends that are so plentiful concerning the events that occurred on that memorable spot.
What this Textopian page supports
The Legend of San Jacinto is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1903 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: O. Henry
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Legend, Literary Fiction, Adventure, Drama
- Length: 1,294 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Legend of San Jacinto by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Legend of San Jacinto?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative centers around a significant historical event, the Battle of San Jacinto, blending factual history with fictional storytelling.
- Legend — The story is framed as a legend, emphasizing oral tradition and the mythical aspects surrounding the historical event.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is reflective and rich in detail, focusing on character development and thematic depth.
- Adventure — The exploration of the battle ground and the quest for stories adds an element of adventure to the narrative.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Short Story · American Literature · Texas History · Mexican-American War · Fictionalized Account · Patriotism · Nationalism · War Story · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Identity Crisis