On October 9, 2009, Cushing Memorial Library & Archives presented the exhibition, Sea of Mud: the Retreat of the Mexican Army after the Battle of San Jacinto: an Archaeological Investigation.  After their defeat at the Battle of San Jacinto, the Mexican army became bogged down in terrain which Santa Anna’s successor, Vicente Filisola, described as “un Mar de Lodo,” or sea of mud.  This unforeseen disaster prevented further military action against the Texan army, and is part of the chain of events which contributed to the growth of the Republic of Texas.

This exhibition presented the dynamic story through many of the objects abandoned by the retreating army along a route rediscovered by Dr. Gregg Dimmick, a pediatrician and avocational archaeologist living in Wharton, Texas.  The many excavated artifacts on display – munitions, elements of uniforms, and personal belongings – vividly describe the struggles of the retreating army and the many noncombatants who followed the soldiers. 

The opening on October 9 included an exhibition viewing and remarks by Dr. Dimmick and Dr. James E. Crisp, a notable historian and recent author ofSleuthing the Alamo.