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Road To Independence. Revolution Begins p. 204 - 208. A Mexican Army Arrives in Texas. Mexico sent General Cos to help control any Texas rebellions.
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Road To Independence Revolution Begins p. 204 - 208
A Mexican Army Arrives in Texas • Mexico sent General Cos to help control any Texas rebellions. • Settlers were concerned about the troops and formed a Committees of Correspondence, local groups sharing political and military information, sprang up to keep the colonists informed.
Gonzales – The Lexington of Texas • The first conflict between Mexican troops and Texan colonists began when Colonel Ugartechea, the Mexican commander at San Antonio, ordered the people of Gonzales to surrender their small brass cannon. • The local official refused so Ugartechea ordered about 100 soldiers to take the cannon by force. • The people of Gonzales buried the cannon until reinforcements arrived.
Gonzales – The Lexington of Texas • They dug up the cannon, and decorated it with a white flag saying, “Come and Take It.” • The Battle of Gonzales was brief and only 1 casualty. • The news of the clash spread quickly throughout Texas. • General Cos regarded the actions at Gonzales as the outbreak of war.
The Grass Fight • In November 1835, Austin left to plead for aid from the United States. • Edward Burleson was chosen to command the volunteer army in his absence. • Under Burleson’s command, Texans attacked Mexicans and captured mules thought to be carrying silver. • After the battle, Texans discovered the mules were not carrying silver, but grass for Cos’ cavalry horses. • This skirmish became known as the “Grass Fight.”
The Assault on San Antonio • Ben Milam, an empresario, gathered about 300 volunteer soldiers to attack San Antonio. • Milam is known for his famous plea, “Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?” • Milam split his men into 2 columns and began the assault in December. • On the third day of the battle (also called the Siege of Bexar), Milam was killed, and Frank W. Johnson took command.
The Assault on San Antonio • During the fighting, the Mexican forces were driven toward the center of town and took refuge in the abandoned mission known as the Alamo. • Cos asked for surrender terms and promised to never fight against the colonists or the Constitution of 1824. • He and his soldiers were allowed to return to Mexico a few days later. • The Texas army now held both Goliad and the Alamo.
