Texas Declares Independence

1. Texas Declares Independence While the Texians fought at the Alamo… Delegates met on March 1, 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos They voted unanimously to declare Independence on March 2nd, 1836. They based it heavily on the U.S. Declaration. Replica of building at Washington-on-the-Brazos

2. Texas Declaration of Independence The document: Listed complaints against Santa Anna and Mexico Stated Texans were denied rights contained in Constitution of 1824 Declared Texas an independent country The Texas Declaration of Independence

3. Why didn’t Sam Houston save the Alamo? • Houston was on his way to Washington-on-the-Brazos when he found out about the siege of the Alamo. • At that time he had no soldiers to command • He insisted that Texas declare independence before he left to join volunteers gathering in Gonzales. Once they did he left and arrived at Gonzales on March 11th , too late to save the Alamo. • Plus a little over 100 Texians troops were at Gonzales, far too few to fight Santa Anna’s army.

5. Goliad Massacre

6. Fort Defiance (Presidio La Bahia)

7. Why didn’t Fannin help the Alamo? • James Fannin at Golaid tried to march his men to the Alamo on Feb 28th. But bad luck would force him to turn back. Yesterday after making all preparations possible, we took up our line of march (about three hundred strong and four pieces of artillery) toward Bexar, to the relief of those brave men (at the Alamo). Within two hundred yards of the town (Goliad) one of the wagons broke down, ... Not a particle of bread-stuff with us, no beef with the exception of a small portion that had been dried and no cattle, except those used to pull the artillery, the ammunition, etc… This morning I received a note from the officers commanding the volunteers, and it was by them unanimously determined, that … without proper supply and means of transportation to carry the artillery with us, and as by leaving Fort Defiance (La Bahia) without a proper garrison, it might fall into the hands of the enemy, we may expect an attack upon this place, it was deemed expedient to return to this post and complete the fortifications……. J. W. Fannin

8. Fannin was in charge of 400 men but they were mostly volunteers and he could not control them. • So when problems sprung up on his march to the Alamo, lack of food and his wagons breaking down, he could not keep his troops moving and let them convince him to turn around.

9. So Fannin turned back to Goliad to defend it. A few days later he had problems of his own. • On March 2nd he learned of the Mexican Army led by General Urrea was heading his way. Urrea was closing in on a small Texian settlement to the south of Goliad named Refugio (Re-fury-Oh)

10. Battle of Refugio • Fannin sent 130 men to evacuate the citizens. • They are either killed or captured in the “Battle of Refugio”

11. Houston orders Fannin to leave Goliad • Houston did not want Fannin’s troops killed in another Alamo type battle so he ordered Fannin to join him in Victoria. ARMY ORDER  Headquarters, Gonzales, March 11, 1836   To Col. J. W. Fannin, Commanding at Goliad  Sir: You will as soon as practicable on receipt of this order, fall back upon Guadalupe Victoria with your command and such artillery as can be brought with expedition. The remainder will be sunk in the river. You will take the necessary measures for the defense of Victoria, and forward one-third of your effective men to this point, and remain in command until further orders. Every facility is to be afforded to women and children who may be desirous of leaving that place. Previous to abandoning Goliad, you will take the necessary measures to blow up that fortress, and do so before leaving its vicinity. The immediate advance of the enemy may be constantly expected, as well as a rise of water. Prompt movements are therefore highly important. SAM HOUSTON Commander of the Army

12. Fannin took his time leaving Goliad and by the time he did leave on March 19th, 8 days after being told to do so, the Mexican cavalry was already near by with the rest of the Mexican army closing in. • Fannin also ignored Houston’s orders to leave or get rid of his cannons and brought them with him which slowed the army tremendously.

13. Battle of Coleto • Fannin reached a creek called Coleto but by that time the Mexican cavalry had closed in on them. • Fannin formed his men up in a giant square and prepared for a fight.

15. The battle of Coleto lasted until after sunset on March 19. The Texans fought off the Mexicans using their bayonets, muskets, and nine cannons and their square remained unbroken. The Texians lost seven men and sixty wounded (forty severely), Fannin among them.

16. After the sunset the fighting stopped but the Texians were still surrounded. • They had no water and to make matters worse the wounded could not be treated because if they lit a fire the Mexicans would shoot at them.

17. Surrender of the Texians • In the morning the Mexicans had the Texians surrounded with cannons. • After a few shots into the Texians lines, Fannin realized that he had to surrender.

18. The Texians surrendered and Urrea and the Mexican army marched them back to Goliad

19. The Texians were held for a week. To URREA.  26 Mar 1836.   From the Commandant at Goliad to General Urrea. In compliance with the definitive orders of his Excellency the general-in-chief, which I received direct, at four o'clock tomorrow morning the prisoners sent by you to this fortress will be shot.

20. The Goliad Massacre • On March 27th the Texians were marched out of Goliad in three large groups and shot. At selected spots on each of the three roads…the three groups were halted. The guard on the right of the column of prisoners then countermarched and formed with the guard on the left. At a prearranged moment, or upon a given signal, the guards fired upon the prisoners at a range too close to miss. Nearly all were killed at the first fire. Those not killed were pursued and slaughtered by gunfire or bayonet. Fannin and some forty (another estimated eighty or ninety) wounded Texians unable to march were put to death within the presidio …

25. 342 of the Texians were executed at Goliad on March 27, 1836. Only twenty-eight escaped the firing squads, and twenty more were spared by Francisca Alavez, the wife of a Mexican army officer who thought the executions were wrong. She convinced her husband to spare the Texians and became known as the “Angel of Goliad.”

26. Monument to the Texians killed at Goliad

27. The Panic and the Miracle

28. Sam Houston takes control • After the disasters at the Alamo and Goliad, Sam Houston took control of the Texas Army. • He ordered Gonzales burned and the people and his troops to evacuate to the east. • He was determined to raise a proper army.

29. The Runaway Scrape • After the fall of the Alamo and Goliad, Santa Anna and Urrea began moving east into the Texian colonies. • The settlers panicked. They gathered a few personal possessions, abandoned their homes, and headed east under the most difficult conditions. • Rain and cold weather during the period slowed the settler's eastward progress along the muddy roads and trails.

31. Texas settler Frances Sutherland to her sister in Tennessee.: We thought prudent to stay at home and did so until the General thought proper to retreat. We, being on the frontier, were compelled to go. We went to the Colorado , 40 miles, but after some time, the general thought proper to retreat farther and of course we had to go, too. We proceeded to the Brazos River . There stopped a few days, but dread and fear caused another start; there Mr. Sutherland quit us and joined the army…with a good many more of our citizens, however, we went on for several miles and again stopped, hoping we would not have to go farther, but someone over there that week brought in the early news the Mexican army was crossing the Brazos not more than 40 miles behind us. Again we started and traveled two days then heard the army was 20 miles behind. (I wish you could know how the people did as they kept going about trying to get somewhere, but no person knew where they were trying to get to.) Several weeks passed on without any certain account from the army. All this time you could hardly guess my feelings. My poor William gone in the army, me with my three little daughters and my poor Thomas wandering about, not knowing what to do or where to go. You will guess my feelings were dreadful, but ever the Lord supported me, and was on our side…

32. The Runaway Scrape would last all of March and April of 1836. • Houston marched his troops to the east closer and closer to Louisiana. • Houston believed that the United States Army stationed there may aide him, possibly even get into a fight with Mexican troops, causing the U.S. to declare war on Mexico.

33. As Houston went east his army grew. More and more volunteers from the Texians settlers and U.S. joined him. • As his army fled they also burned crops and cities so the Mexican army couldn’t use them. • As they fled more and more people wanted him to fight. But Houston wanted to wait for the perfect opportunity. • Houston was able to stop for two weeks to train his army at Groce’s Plantation.

34. Battle of San Jacinto • Santa Anna split from his main army (which was slowing him down) so he could catch up with the Texians. • Santa Anna thought he had Houston’s army cornered near Harrisburg (near modern day Houston) and decided to rest and camp his 700 man army on April 19th at San Jacinto creek.

35. The next day, April 20th, Houston camped his men in the woods nearby and decided the time was right to fight: This morning we are in preparation to meet Santa Anna. It is the only chance of saving Texas. From time to time I have looked for reinforcements in vain. We will only have about 700 to march with. We go to conquer. It is wisdom growing out of necessity to meet and fight the enemy now. The troops are in fine spirits, and now is the time for action.   We will use our best efforts to fight the enemy to such advantage, as will ensure victory, tho’ the odds is greatly against us. I leave the result in the hands of a wise God and rely upon his Providence.   My country will do justice to those who serve her. The rights for which we fight will be secured, and Texas Free.   Sam Houston Commander in Chief  

36. The same day that Houston wrote his letter, some of his cavalry fought with Santa Anna forces in a brief skirmish. • Mirabeau B. Lamar, a private, so distinguished himself that on the next day he was placed in command of the cavalry

37. Juan Seguin • Tejano and San Antonio native would lead the Tejanos in the battle. • His father Erasmo Seguin had helped Austin pick out the land for his colony • Seguin was at the Alamo but left when he carried a letter to Houston. Houston then would not let him return fearing for his life. • Seguin fought hard during the runaway scrape to hold back the Mexican Army

38. Santa Anna forces were reinforced by General Cos to about 1,400. • Houston ordered Deaf Smith to destroy Vince’s Bridge so the Mexicans could receive no more reinforcements.

39. On the 21st Houston did not attack in the morning which led Santa Anna believe that he would not attack. • Cos’ soldiers were tired after marching all night so he decided to let his soldiers rest.

40. Houston and the Texians attacked at 3p.m.

43. The Texians shouted “Remember the Alamo!” and “Remember Goliad”

46. The Mexican troops were caught totally off guard. • The Texians overran the Mexican lines and the battle lasted about 18 minutes.

47. The battle quickly became a slaughter. • Most of the Mexican soldiers ran within the first few minutes of the battle and were hunted down by the Texians • Around 600 or more Mexicans were killed and 700 captured. • 10 Texians lost their lives.

48. Account of San Jacinto by Moses Bryan (Nephew of Stephen F. Austin) The most awful slaughter I ever saw was when the Texans pursued the retreating Mexicans, killing on all sides, even the wounded… I came upon a young Mexican drummer boy lying on his face. One of the volunteers pricked him with his bayonet. The boy (whose legs were broken) grasped the man around his legs and called in Spanish, “Hail Mary most pure, for God’s sake, save my life!” I begged with the man to spare him. The man looked at me and put his hand on his pistol, so I passed on. Just as I did, he blew out the boy’s brains.

49. Santa Anna • Santa Anna slipped away during the battle but was spotted among the captured soldiers in a regular uniform when his soldiers started saluting him. • He was brought before Houston where most soldiers wanted him hung. • Houston spared his life knowing he was more useful alive. • He could give Texas Independence