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This diamond encrusted knee buckle, which originally belonged to General Santa Anna, was acquired for General Houston at the infamous “booty auction” held a few days after the Battle of San Jacinto.

After the battle, the spoils of war were collected from the Mexican camp. The haul included muskets, swords, the Mexican cannon El Volcán, animals, clothing, and Mexican soldiers’ personal items. It also included the Mexican army’s treasury, approximately $12,000 in silver pesos. The silver was split among the Texian soldiers, who used it to purchase items from the Mexican camp at an auction held on April 26, 1836.

General Houston’s broken ankle had become infected, and he was too ill to participate, but several of his officers pooled their resources and purchased items for him, including this knee buckle.

The San Jacinto Museum has other items from the booty auction in its collection, including several pieces of Santa Anna’s tack and a ladle, fork, butter knife, and napkin ring made of silver from Santa Anna’s saddle.