historical timeline 1812-15 war of 1812 , sam houston serves under andrew jackson 1810-22 santa anna serves in the mexican military 1821 santa anna leads mexican forces at the battle of veracruz moses austin receives imperial grant from spain for texas colony mexico defeats spain and declares independence 1822 stephen austin arrives in texas with the first of the old three hundred and begins the austin colony 1824 the republic of mexico completes its first constitution 1829 santa anna leads mexican forces to victory against spain at the battle of tampico , becoming the napoleon of the west 1832 december sam houston departs the oklahoma territory for texas 1833 april 1 - santa anna elected president of mexico july 18 stephen austin departs for mexico in a vain attempt to help restore order .