The War Begins

1. Austin v Santa Anna The War Begins 11.1

2. Battle of Gonzales: • The first conflict erupted in Gonzales because Santa Anna refused the Constitution of 1824. This increased tensions between Texans and the Mexican Government. • The battle of Gonzales was over a cannon, which the Mexican government wanted to take from the U.S. settlers. • The settlers antagonized the Mexican troops by placing a flag on the cannon chanting “Come and Take It.” • The fighting in Gonzales was brief as 140 Texas rebels attacked 100 Mexican soldiers, ending up victorious.

3. Conflict at Goliad: Ben Milam • General Martin Perfecto de Cos brought 300 Mexican soldiers to Gonzales, which was immediately after Mexican troops backed down in Gonzales. • Veteran Ben Milam, who assisted the U.S. rebels, led a volunteer army to attack a small amount of Mexican troops at Goliad. • This was a surprise to the Mexican garrison (army), so they quickly surrendered. • Now the Texas rebels had two victories, and were beginning to grow quite confident. General Martin Perfecto de Cos

4. The March on San Antonio: • After the victory at Goliad, many volunteers joined the rebel army. By capturing Goliad, the rebels had cut off the Mexican army’s supply route. • In October, Stephen F. Austin led a march from Gonzales to San Antonio. • Even Tejanos like Juan Seguin joined the Texas rebel army. • Although Austin’s army had grown to over 600 infantry (foot soldiers), the Mexican army had a much more dominant cavalry (soldiers on horseback). I am Juan Seguin

5. Mexican attack at Concepcion: • As Jim Bowie was choosing a holding ground for Austin and his troops, 400 Mexican soldiers attacked Bowie at Mission Concepcion. • Bowie however, camped behind a riverbank, which provided great protection from the Mexican troops. • The Mexican brigade quickly grew discouraged, and retreated. • This boosted Austin’s army, causing them to want to attack San Antonio immediately. I’m Jim Bowie and this is my knife!!!

6. The Grass Fight: • After the fight at Concepcion, Austin relocated his troops to Old Mill, which was just north of San Antonio. • This was a great location because it again crossed another one of the Mexicans supply routes. • Austin and his men were growing tired and sick, so Edward Burleson came in took over Austin’s command. • Erastus “Deaf” Smith, one of Burleson’s men, rode into camp claiming that the Mexican’s resupply was coming on horseback with silver. • This excited the rebel army, causing them to strike. It turned out that the silver was non-existent, and the resupply was actually full of grass and hay for the livestock of the Mexican army. Erastus “Deaf”Smith

7. Capturing San Antonio: • After capturing the Mexican’s resupply, Colonel Ben Milam led 300 rebel troops in to San Antonio. • From December 5th-9th, Milam and his men cleared out all the Mexican troops in San Antonio. • General Cos and the Mexican army soon surrendered, and left Texas. • This victory led the rebels to think that the Constitution of 1824 had been achieved, but Santa Anna had different plans. • Ben Milam statue Who will go with Old Ben Milam???