CHAPTER 10 THE TEXAS REVOLUTION

“REMEMBER THE ALAMO” In December 1835, with the capture of Tenario’s men at Anahuac, and Cos’ army in retreat, Santa Anna became enraged. He headed north to rid Texas of the Anglo Americans & the Tejano rebels. The Texans thought Santa Anna would wait until spring to launch an attack, so Texas forces remained unorganized and scattered. The lack of preparations would cost them at their next encounter with the Mexican troops at the Battle of the Alamo. The Battle at the Alamo is the most famous battle in Texas history. Pg.213

Movement of Mexican Troops Two main roads led into Texas: Atascosito Road starting a Matamoros MX and the Old San Antonio Road (El Camino Real)starting at Eagle Pass TX. Santa Anna came into Texas through the El Camino Real and Urrea came into Texas at Matamoros. James Fannin could defend the Atascosito Road & Neill could defend The El Camino Real.

Pg. 225

Vocabulary FORTIFY- To make stronger with military force GARRISON- Troops stationed at military post. BOMBARD- To attack often with artillery RECONNAISSANCE- a survey made to gather information about an enemy.

WANTED: Volunteers to Fight Neill strengthened the walls and fortified the Alamo with 21 cannons; turning the former mission into a fort. Neill only had about 30 men Jim Bowie & his rebels arrived with orders from Houston to destroy the mission, but stay to fight. February 3rd William B. Travis arrives with 29 men. February 8th, Davy Crockett, former volunteer and Congressman from Tennessee arrives with a dozen men. Neill leaves the Alamo due to a family emergency and leaves Travis in command.

WANTED: Volunteers to Fight Bowie and his men were not happy about Travis being in command, so the troops vote for commander, it was a tie. Travis & Bowie decided to share command, however Bowie becomes ill & passes command to Travis Travis sends Juan Sequin and James Bonner with letters asking for help. James Fannin at Goliad is reluctant to leave, but does so days later, it was too late.

WANTED: Volunteers to Fight February 23rd, Santa Anna begins the siege of the Alamo. Desperately needing more volunteers , Travis sends a letter to Gonzales known as the “Commandancy of the Alamo.” The letter is considered the most heroic document in Texas history.

Commandancy of the Alamo Bejar, Feby, 24th 1836— To the People of Texas & all Americans in the world—Fellow citizens & compatriots— I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna—I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man—The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion otherwise the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken—I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls—I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch—The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country—VICTORY OR DEATH. William Barret Travis, Lt. Col. comdt. Travis Travis’s original letter, stored in the Texas State Library and Archives

FALL OF THE ALAMO By March 5th, 1800 Mexican troops arrive Santa Anna raises the blood red flag that is a traditional symbol of “No Mercy” Santa Anna orders attack to begin at dawn when Mexican buglers play “Duellgo” William B. Travis is one of the first defenders to die. Jim Bowie is killed on his death bed, while he is still fighting. Entire battle lasts 90 minutes, hundreds of men lay dead.

CASUALTIES & SURVIVORS 600 Mexican soldiers All 189 defenders including 9 Tejano defenders Davy Crockett and six others are executed after attempting to surrender. Several women, children and slaves. Susanna Dickinson and her 15month old child. Travis’ slave Joe Santa Anna spared them to send the message he was coming to drive the Texans out!

CHAPTER 10 SECTION 2

Meanwhile,……. on the Atascosito General Urrea marches north. Feb. 27th 1836 General Urrea defeats 50 Texas led by Johnson at San Patricio. March 2nd, 1836, Urrea defeats Grant’s men, only six escape. Fannin sends troops to aid civilians at Refugio. Urreas arrives and Fannin sends100 more troops, the troops that were not killed were sent to Goliad. Pg.222

BATTLE OF COLETO Urrea was to close Fannin couldn’t make it to San Antonio. March14 Sam Houston orders Fannin to retreat to Victoria. Fannin remained in Goliad until March 19th, where he is surrounded in an open field and forced surrender.

REMEMBER GOLIAD The prisoners at Goliad thought they were going to be set free. Santa Anna told Urrea to execute all the prisoners

Houston Assumes Command Houston became frustrated when leaders such as Fannin didn’t follow orders, so he returned to East Texas. Negotiated a peace treaty with Cherokees to remain peaceful, while Texas won it’s independence, in exchange for land grants. 2nd Consultation reappoints Sam Houston commander of the Texan Army; arriving in Gonzales, Houston finds 374 men gathered to join the defenders of the Alamo. Erastus “deaf” Smith goes on scouting expedition and returns with Susanna Dickinson and survivors of the Alamo

Houston Assumes Command (cont.) Texan troops wanted revenge. However, Houston realized his men were not prepared to fight the Mexican army. He ordered Gonzales abandoned and burned. Then he led the men to the east.

The families living in the Gonzales area panicked when they learned of Santa Anna’s advance and Houston’s retreat, When word of the massacres at the Alamo and at Goliad reached Anglo settlers, many abandoned their homes and fled. Some fled all the way to Louisiana. Others stopped in eastern settlements such as Nacogdoches and Galveston Island to await the outcome of the war. Their flight is known as the Runaway Scrape. Pg 225

Vocabulary SKIRMISH- a brief fight among a small number of troops. CAVALRY- soldiers who were mounted on horseback.

Santa Anna Closes In After the Battle of the Alamo, Santa Anna had regrouped his troops and set out in search of any remaining Texas forces. In addition to suffering great losses at the Alamo, the Mexican army was beginning to run low on rations. In most of Mexico, where there were many towns, troops would have been able to get food from local citizens. However, in Texas there were few towns, and supply centers were far away. To make matters worse, Sam Houston had burned fields and houses on his retreat from Gonzales. He captured Harrisburg, the headquarters of the temporary Texas government, and burned it to the ground. The leaders fled, and Santa Anna pursued them southward. He arrived just in time to see them leave on a boat bound for Galveston. When Santa Anna returned to the north on April 20, he found Houston’s army waiting.

BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO The major part of the battle took place on the afternoon of April 21. At first, Houston’s troops of about 800 outnumbered Santa Anna’s army. During the night and morning, Santa Anna received reinforcements, swelling his ranks to more than 1,300 soldiers. Houston ordered Deaf Smith to burn Vince’s Bridge, which would prevent the Mexican army from retreating. At about 3:00 P.M. as the Mexican army rested for the battle they expected to occur the next morning, Houston arranged his men on the field. The Texans shouted “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!” as they crossed the battleground The battle lasted about 18 minutes, the Texans suffered two deaths and 30 wounded, seven of whom died later. Houston’s official report states that 630 Mexicans were killed and 730were captured. Santa Anna escaped during the battle, disguised himself, and hid in a barn.

CHAPTER 10 SECTION 3

Vocabulary AD INTERIM- Temporary ANNEXATION- The act of adding or joining an existing

Texas Gains Independence Time for a decision Historians once thought that Texas troops at the Alamo fought under this flag because they believed they were upholding the Constitution of 1824. New evidence suggests that they knew they were fighting for independence. March 1st, the second Consultation meeting occurred. Should Texas…….? Support Texas remaining a part of Mexico? Work to restore state’s right under the constitution of 1824 Or seek outright independence?

Texas’ Declaration of Independence George Childress heads committee to draft declaration Declaration is modeled after U.S. Declaration of Independence 3 sections 1st- The right to revolution 2nd-lists grievances 3rd Proclaims independence Pg. 231

Establishing a Government The new nation is known as The Republic of Texas Ad Interim (temporary) government was established David Burnet = President Lorenzo de Zavala =Vice President Samuel Carson= Secretary of State David Thomas =Attorney General Thomas J. Rusk= Secretary of War Robert Potter = Secretary of the Navy Sam Houston= Commander of the army

TREATIES OF VELASCO PUBLIC PRIVATE Santa Anna agreed never to fight against Texas again Withdraw all Mexican troops Exchange of all Mexican and Texan prisoners Santa Anna would work for Mexico’s recognition of Texas’ independence Establish the Rio Grande River as the boundary between the two nations.

ESTABLISHING THE REPUBLIC Sam Houston wins with 5,119 votes Stephen F. Austin only received 587 votes Henry Smith only received 743 votes 3,277 Texans voted to be annexed to the United States. Annexation to the United States was delayed.

First Republic of Texas Flag