By the following year, the war for Texas' independence from Mexico was fully engaged and led by General Sam Houston. James Morgan's now successful settlement, New Washington, was strategically located near the mouth of the San Jacinto River. He freely gave food and supplies to Houston's men. One particularly strategic parcel of land named Morgan's Point (so called to this day) extended into San Jacinto Bay. From Morgan's Point, flatboats were loaded for Houston army.
In March of 1836, James Morgan was appointed a Colonel and assigned to the Port of Galveston, about 30 miles away. So that Houston's supply line would continue, he left Emily West Morgan in charge of loading flatboats destined for the army.
By the afternoon of April 18, 1836, General Santa Anna had moved his men into position near New Washington to attack the Texas rebels he knew to be nearby. Morgan's settlement, now mostly deserted as its inhabitants fled before Santa Anna's marching army, still had a few brave souls remaining, one of which was Emily. Santa Anna was immediately struck by her beauty.
The next morning, after his men helped themselves to Morgan's crops and cattle, Santa Anna set about securing one more "spoil of war" - Emily. He captured her and a young "yellow boy" named Turner loading yet another flatboat headed for Houston's army. Although Santa Anna cajoled Turner to lead his scouts to Houston's men, Emily convinced him to escape and inform the "Texian" army of the Mexican general's arrival.
Santa Anna was totally enamoured by Emily and ordered the immediate setting up of his encampment on the plains of the San Jacinto, despite protestations from his colonels. And Houston, upon hearing of Santa Anna's location from Turner, moved his troops into the woods within a scant mile of the Mexican general's headquarters.
On the morning of April 21, Houston reportedly climbed a tree to spy into the Mexican camp. There he saw Emily preparing a champagne breakfast for Santa Anna, and remarked, "I hope that slave girl makes him [Santa Anna] neglect his business and keeps him in bed all day."
By afternoon, the great final battle for the independence of Texas was engaged. The Mexican army was caught completely by surprise, and Santa Anna was literally caught with his pants down.
Emily West Morgan survived the battle and made her way back to New Washington. Two days later, James Morgan, who had not heard of the battle, returned from Galveston. Emily told him of her ordeal and the outcome of the last great battle. The colonel was so impressed with Emily's heroism, he repealed her indenture and gave her a passport back to New York - the final chapter of which we have no record.
