Three Battles of the Texas Revolution (The Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto)

Three Battles of the Texas Revolution (The Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto) The region of Tejas (Texas), a province of Mexico, was the scene of mounting tensions during the late 1820s and early 1830s. Increasing numbers of United States citizens flooded across the border into Mexico to lay claim to the land prime for growing cotton that was west of the Sabine River. The American settlers rebelled against Mexican rule and began a movement for independence. The Mexican government, which had gained its independence from Spain 1821, refused to give in to the growing foreign presence, and in the fall of 1835 a full-scale rebellion erupted at the town of Gonzales. Later that year, in December, Benjamin Milam led a combined force of Tejanos, Spanish-speaking native residents of Tejas, and Texans, English-speaking residents of Tejas, against a Mexican military unit in San Antonio. The fighting was extremely bitter. Each block and building of the city was contested. In the end, the Mexican commander, General Marín Perfecto de Cós, was forced to surrender and Milam’s soldiers occupied the former mission site at the Alamo. Over the next two months, the occupying forces worked to strengthen the Alamo's defenses, but were surprised on February 23, 1836 to see the 2,000-man Mexican army under the command of General Santa Anna looming on the horizon. At this time, only 155 soldiers manned the Tejas stronghold. The Commanding officer of the forces at the Alamo, William Travis, decided to hold out until reinforcements could be brought in. Several scouts managed to slip though the Mexican siege line to carry word of the Alamo defenders' plight to other Texas communities. The response to the plea for help was moderate. The Texas independence movement was badly fragmented because of personal rivalries and widespread confusion. By March 1, only 32 volunteers had been sent by the neighboring community of Gonzales to help those defending the Alamo. Santa Anna’s forces had encircled the Alamo and had begun to reduce its walls using artillery fire. Conditions within the old mission deteriorated rapidly. Food and ammunition ran low. At sunrise on March 6, Mexican soldiers began an assault on the walls of the Alamo. Initially the Texans resisted the attack successfully, but due to the overwhelming numerical advantage of the Mexican army, Santa Anna’s army eventually managed to get some of its soldiers over the walls and into the fort. The battle turned into a rout when the Mexicans captured the Alamo’s sole cannon and turned its fire on the Texan defenders. The last-ditch Texan strongholds — a church and barracks — were destroyed and hand-to-hand fighting ensued. By the end of the day, the 187 Texan rebels were dead and only a few civilians were spared to carry word of the great Mexican victory to the outside world. Included among the dead were Travis and such notables as James Bowie and Davy Crockett. This event, which nearly coincided with the Goliad Massacre, helped to galvanize the Texas Independence movement. Formerly divided leaders now joined in a common cause, realizing that only united action would achieve their end. Six weeks later — under the cry of “Remember the Alamo” — Texan forces won a stunning and decisive victory at San Jacinto. Goliad was a small community located on the banks of the San Antonio River in the far northern Mexican province of Tejas. Goliad was one of only three Mexican settlements in the area; the others were San Antonio and Nacogdoches. In the 1820s, increasing migration of American citizens across the Sabine River into Mexican territory was the cause of much friction. Conditions deteriorated further when the foreigners became more independent and clashed with Mexican officials. General Antonio López de Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, desired an end to repeated violations of Mexican sovereignty in which U.S. citizens would cross the border to offer armed support to friends and relatives living in Tejas. In February 1836, Mexican General José de Urrea captured a number of U.S. citizens at the village of San Patricio, but declined to follow the execution order issued by Santa Anna. A few weeks later, Urrea captured 33 Americans at Nuestra Señora del Refugio. Some of his prisoners had participated in an ambush that resulted in the loss of several Mexican lives. On this occasion, Urrea followed his instructions by executing 15 foreigners, but sparing non-U.S. citizens in the party. At about this time, Texan forces under Colonel James Fannin took possession of neighboring Goliad from a small Mexican unit. Then Urrea's army appeared; the Texans fled from Goliad, but were quickly trapped by the superior Mexican force. Fannin entered into negotiation on behalf of his party of nearly 350 men, asking that his soldiers be treated as prisoners of war in accordance with established international standards. Urrea was again in a bind; his orders from Santa Anna clearly called for the execution of foreign soldiers. In addition, Fannin’s men, while badly outnumbered, were still heavily armed and likely to fight if pressed. In a face- to-face meeting, Urrea persuaded Fannin to surrender in return for Urrea’s support for a petition of leniency. The Texans then gave up their arms and marched back to Goliad, confident that their freedom would be secured in several days. Urrea upheld his end of the bargain and quickly dispatched his support for leniency. Santa Anna, distrustful of Urrea, sent orders to execute the captives directly to the commander of the small garrison at Goliad, effectively bypassing the general. On March 27, 1836, the Texan prisoners were divided into three groups and marched to separate locations outside the community. A signal was given and the heavily armed guards opened fire on the captives; those who survived were bayoneted. The day’s toll was 342 Texan soldiers killed. A few managed to escape and, over several days, find their way back to friendly surroundings. The final engagement of the Texas Revolution was fought where the San Jacinto River flows into Buffalo Bayou (near the present-day city of Houston) on April 21, 1836. Following defeat of Texan forces at the Alamo, the revolutionary fighters retreated eastward to avoid confronting Santa Anna's numerically superior army. Mexican forces were moving to take control of the Gulf coast seaport cities. Political leaders in Texas, as well as many of the soldiers themselves, were displeased about Sam Houston’s lack of initiative. On April 19th, Texan forces took up a position near Buffalo Bayou. The following day, Mexican forces advanced across a plain, but were halted by an artillery barrage from two famous cannon, the Twin Sisters. Then the Texans mounted a cavalry charge that had little impact other than an outstanding display of courage. On April 21st, 750 Texans waited to engage a force of more than 1,500 Mexicans. In the early morning darkness Houston sent out a small force to destroy a nearby bridge. This action cut off any chance of reinforcements for the Mexican army, but also denied the possibility of retreat to both sides. Later in the day, a confident Mexican army took its afternoon siesta without posting sentries. At about 3:30 p.m. the Texans attacked, yelling reminders to themselves to “Remember the Alamo” and “Remember Goliad.” The battle lasted only about 18 minutes. The Mexicans were caught completely by surprise; approximately 630 were killed. Texan losses amounted to nine killed and 30 wounded. The Texan forces confiscated large amounts of the Mexicans' supplies and silver, ending their hopes for retaking their lost province. Santa Ana was captured the following day while hiding near the battlefield. .

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