Chapter 11 Part 2

Fannin Delays His Departure James Fannin’s inability to make a decision hurt the Texas cause. First he promised to send troops to the Alamo but later changed his mind because they didn’t have enough wagons. Gen. Sam Houston ordered Fannin to retreat toward Victoria. Fannin delayed, waiting on the group at Refugio to return. Duh!

Battle of Coleto Creek Fannin’s men were trapped in an open prairie. Urrea’s men had the cover of trees. Overnight Urrea received reinforcements. At daybreak on March 20 Mexican cannons opened fire. After consulting with his officers, Fannin signed an agreement of surrender to Gen. Urrea.

Surrender Terms Texans believed they were prisoners of war and would be treated fairly. The surrender document, however, stated that they were surrendering unconditionally. Urrea assured Fannin that he and his men would be treated fairly. The Texans were marched back to Goliad where they were imprisoned in the old presidio.

Santa Anna’s “Cruel Necessity” Most of the prisoners expected to be released. Gen. Urrea wrote to Santa Anna requesting that the lives of the prisoners be spared. Santa Anna ordered the immediate execution of the prisoners, fearing that if he let them go, they would join other Texans in the rebellion.

Bloody Massacre Palm Sunday, March 27, the prisoners were divided into 3 columns and marched out onto the prairie. The Texans believed they were on a work detail or maybe even would be allowed to go home. Upon a signal, the Mexican soldiers began firing at them. About 350 Texans, including Fannin, were executed.

Mercy Some of the Mexican soldiers shot over the heads of the Texans and allowed several of them to escape. Señora Francita Alavez, wife of a Mexican Army officer, helped several Texans escape execution. She is known as the “Angel of Goliad”.

The Runaway Scrape February – April, 1836

Panic Santa Anna had ordered his troops to burn every town and settlement in their path. Families living between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers feared the oncoming Mexican Army. News of the Alamo, Goliad, and the retreating Texas Army caused settlers to panic.

Hardships Hundreds of families gathered what they could carry with them and headed east toward the Sabine River. The roads were muddy. Heavy spring rains caused the rivers to overflow. Lack of food, sickness, and attacks by bandits made the trip even more dangerous.

Some settlers traveled all the way to Louisiana. Others stopped at Nacogdoches to see what was going to happen. When news arrived about Sam Houston’s victory at San Jacinto, families returned home to find their animals butchered, their homes ransacked or burned and their crops destroyed.

The Battle of San Jacinto Texas Cause seems hopeless * Loss at the Alamo * Losses in South Texas * Mexican army moved further into Texas * Santa Anna orders troops to burn everything in their path Santa Anna believes rebellion would end if: 1. Army occupied towns in Texas 2. Arrest David G. Burnett & temporary government

Houston Builds an Army Sam Houston named Commander in Chief of army March 11, 1836 * Houston arrives in Gonzales * 370 volunteers awaiting Houston * Most answering call of William Travis * 2 Days after arriving Houston learns about the Alamo * Troops are low and untrained = Houston retreats eastward to the Colorado River Houston heads east, frustrating his men.

Mexican Army Moves East Reach the Brazos River on April 7th * Santa Anna turned back by companies guarding river crossing * Moved 30 miles down river * Santa Anna sent some troops to Harrisburg = Capture Texas government - Texas government forced to flee Houston’s Strategy Many thought Houston headed east hoping for U.S. support Houston goes south = Soldiers know it’s time to fight City of Cincinnati gives Houston “The Twin Sisters” Houston moves troops along the banks of Buffalo Bayou Waiting for Santa Anna to arrive

Victory at San Jacinto The Eve of the Battle Texan army camped along the banks of the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou with a wide prairie in front Mexican army camped along the San Jacinto River * ¾ of a mile away * Swampland to the right and rear of army * Mexican Officers did not like location - Could not fend off attack - Santa Anna confident Texans would not attack = fight a defensive battle

Houston Calls Council of War 540 additional troops join Santa Anna * Most were inexperienced * Total Mexican soldiers = 1,400 Santa Anna over confident = Not enough guards Most soldiers given day off to rest Houston destroyed bridge over Vince’s Bayou * Cut off retreat for both armies

Remember the Alamo April 21, 1836 at 3:30pm = Ordered and attack Texans move out of woods across the prairie Mexican camp quiet * Soldiers resting * Soldiers watering horses Texans upon them before they knew what happened Mexican soldiers confused = tried to escape Resistance lasted 18 minutes 10 Texans killed, 30 injured 630 Mexicans killed, 730 taken prisoner One of the most decisive battles in history

Santa Anna Captured Dressed as a common soldier = Not recognized by Texans Singled out by his own men Blames loss and everyone but himself Forced to withdraw troops from Texas

Treaties of Velasco Capital moved to Velasco Santa Anna brought in to sign treaties Public Treaty * Never fight Texas again * Remove all Mexican troops from Texas * Exchange of prisoners * Return all property taken from Texans Secret Treaty * Mexican recognition of Texas independence * Set boundary at Rio Grande River * Santa Anna would receive escort back to Mexico

Texans Want Revenge Most Texans want Santa Anna executed * Houston and Burnett refuse * Mob takes Santa Anna hostage for several months * Eventually released and returned to Mexico Victory’s Consequences Many Texans had their homes destroyed and possessions stolen Many Texans lost family members Many lives had to be rebuilt from scratch After the war Texas became a new Republic