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Revolution and Republic Independence is Won! - Runaway Scrape and Last Battles of the Revolution. Unit Six, Section Two Notes. During the Battle of the Alamo….
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Revolution and RepublicIndependence is Won! - Runaway Scrape and Last Battles of the Revolution Unit Six, Section Two Notes
During the Battle of the Alamo… While the men at the Alamo were fighting off Mexican soldiers and losing, the political leaders of Texas were meeting in a small, unfurnished building in Washington-on-the-Brazos. This meeting, known as the Convention of 1836, included men such as Lorenzo de Zavala, Sam Houston, and George C. Childress. Childress wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836, using the U.S. Declaration as a guide. They also met to write a constitution for their new government.
Why would they use the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution as guides?
News of the Fall of the Alamo Not long after signing the Texas Declaration of Independence and creating the Constitution for the new government, the delegates at the convention left Washington-on-the-Brazos, hoping to find out what happened at the Alamo. Sam Houston, the leader of the Texas Army, found out that the Texans had been defeated by some of the Alamo survivors, including Susanna Dickinson. They also heard that Santa Anna and his army were advancing farther into Texas.
Comparing Declarations of Independence Both the U.S. and Texas Declarations of Independence stated their grievances, or the reasons why they wanted and were willing to fight for independence. Both also stated that the government had violated their rights and liberties.
Comparing the Constitutions U.S. and Texas Constitutions - Similarities Things Only in the Texas Constitution Contained a policy for colonization. Contained information about creating public schools. Ensured that slavery would be legal. Stated that freed slaves would have to petition the government to stay in Texas. • Both had three branches – the legislative, judicial, and executive. • Created a republic, where the people elect those they want to represent them. • Contained a bill of rights.
The Runaway Scrape – Spring 1836 Word began to spread through Texas about the outcome at the Alamo. Fearing for their lives, many Texans fled east towards the U.S., in hopes that they could outrun Santa Anna’s advancing army. This movement of settlers is now known as the Runaway Scrape. Along with all the confusion of trying to flee the area, conditions were made worse from heavy rains during the spring of 1836. Many people died of diseases and hardships during the Runaway Scrape.
Battle of Refugio – March 14, 1836 While Santa Anna was delayed at the Alamo, his senior general, General José Urrea continued to march across Texas and fight smaller battles against Texas forces. On March 14th, Urrea won the Battle of Refugio, defeating many of Col. Fannin’s troops who had been sent to Refugio to evacuate the settlement. On the same day, Fannin received an order from General Houston to leave Goliad, where he had been waiting for his troops to come back from Refugio. Instead of leaving immediately for Victoria as ordered, he waited. General Urrea and his men caught up with Fannin.
Battle of Coleto – March 19, 1836 After being attacked by Urrea’s men, Fannin decided to follow orders and leave for Victoria around March 18th. On the way, they stopped to rest in an open prairie outside of Goliad during a heavy fog, and they were quickly surrounded by Urrea’s army. Though possibly outnumbered, Fannin chose to stand and fight near Coleto Creek. The Texas soldiers were pinned down without cover and with a limited water supply. The geography of the area hurt the Texans, and they were forced to surrender after Fannin became wounded and more Mexican soldiers arrived.
Goliad Massacre – March 27, 1836 After the Fannin and his men surrendered, they were marched back to Goliad by Urrea and held there for a week. Urrea wrote to Santa Anna, asking him for permission to hold the troops as prisoners of war. But Santa Anna said that anyone who had taken up arms against Mexico must be executed immediately. On March 27th, Mexican soldiers lined up and shot more than 400 Texans outside of Goliad. Fannin was executed with his men. Some were able to escape in the smoke and confusion. A woman named FrancitaAlavaz, who was traveling with the Mexican troops, helped a few people escape. She is now referred to as the Angel of Goliad.
Houston Prepares His Troops After the massacre at Goliad, many angry Texans wanted Sam Houston to attack Santa Anna’s army without delay. But Sam Houston felt that his troops needed more time for training and for restocking supplies. He continued to retreat further away from Santa Anna’s army while restocking and preparing. Then on April 18th, a scout reported that Santa Anna’s army was camped near Harrisburg on the Brazos River. Houston felt that this would be the perfect time to strike.
Many people called Sam Houston a coward. Why? Why was he actually very smart?
The Battle of San Jacinto – April 20 - 21, 1836 On April 20th, the Texans traveled down river and camped near a grove of live oak trees, with an open field in front, so that they could see the Mexicans coming if necessary. The Mexicans were also exposed, leaving themselves open to attack by the Texans. After meeting on April 21st with his army officers, Houston decided to attack that afternoon.
Surprise Attack! At around 3:00 P.M., 900 Texas troops moved from the woods onto the prairie, unseen by the Mexican soldiers. Many of them were exhausted from some smaller battles the day before and were taking a nap. The Texans attacked! The battle lasted only 18 minutes, which makes it the shortest battle in history. Most of the Mexicans were taken by surprise and either tried to run away or surrender. At the end of the battle, 630 Mexican soldiers were dead, with only 9 dead Texas troops, though Houston was wounded with a shattered ankle from a rifle ball.
Santa Anna Captured Somehow, Santa Anna escaped during the battle, but he was found the next day hiding in a marsh near the battle grounds, dressed in the uniform of a normal Mexican officer. With his capture, the Texans not only won the Battle of San Jacinto, but also the war! Many Texas soldiers wanted to kill Santa Anna, but Houston decided to keep him as a prisoner of war, to ensure that war would be over and Texas would officially gain their stance as an independent nation.
Painting of Santa Anna surrendering to Sam Houston after the Battle of San Jacinto
