The Conflict Escalates Chapter 9.3 The Conflict Escalates

Another individual comes to Texas… Career military man who fought in the War of 1812 US Congressman in 1823 &1825 Governor of Tennessee in 1827 First wife dies so he leaves office and lives with the Cherokees for a few years. Came to Texas in 1832 to escape politics and trouble Sam Houston

Santa Anna becomes a dictator Once in power Santa Anna dismissed the Mexican Congress and had a new constitution written that gave him more powers.

General Martin Perfecto de Cos In 1835, Santa Anna’s brother-in-law, was sent to Texas to enforce the new laws and to put down any rebellion. Trouble arose in the city of Anahuac when some Texans were arrested. Just like at the Battle of Velasco, Texans decided to free those who were arrested.

William B. Travis & The Battle of Anahuac Travis was chosen to lead 25 men. He fired one shot and won the battle. Some Texans disagreed with the aggressive action and feared it would lead to more trouble with Santa Anna

General Cos upset Understandably, General Cos demands Travis and the militia be arrested Texans refuse to hand over Travis

Stephen F. Austin returns Around this time SFA returned from his prison term in Mexico. His stance on peace had changed: “War is our only recourse. There is no other remedy. We must defend our rights, ourselves, and our country by force of arms.”

The First Battle…The Battle of Gonzales Cos marched on San Antonio to arrest Travis and his men. Before he arrived he sent an officer named Ugartechea to Gonzales to retrieve a six-pound cannon.

Battle of Gonzales The Texans refuse to give up the cannon and actually fired it upon the Mexican soldiers. The Battle of Gonzales is considered the first battle of the Texas Revolution

More fighting… Word of Gonzales spread quickly and Texan volunteers began marching on San Antonio to fight Cos. About 50 Texans attacked the fort of Goliad and easily won. This was important for 2 reasons: 1) It convinced Texans the Mexicans could be defeated 2) Control of Goliad cut off a major supply route for Mexico

The Texas Consultation A group of delegates who meet to form a constitution Met in November 1835 Decided not to declare independence at that time Wanted the Constitution of 1824 Agreed to meet again on March 1, 1836

The Consultation continued When in history have delegates met to form a constitution while the military was fighting? Philadelphia - 1776

Sam Houston At the Consultation of 1835, the delegates elected Sam Houston as overall commander of the military forces

The Fight for San Antonio de Bejar In October 1835, the Army of the People was formed and led by Stephen F. Austin. With 600 men he marched on San Antonio to fight Cos. Austin and his men laid siege to the city A siege is a lengthy military attack on a fortified place

The Grass Fight On November 26th 1835, Texans (including James Bowie) attacked and killed over 50 Mexicans who were bringing supplies into the city. It was believed the Mexicans were carrying bags of silver so that Cos could pay for supplies. In reality the bags were full of grass for the animals.

Battle of Bejar “Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?” By December 1835, the 2-month siege began to wear on the Mexican and Texas troops. Texas troops started giving up and leaving the cause. Ben Milam was put in charge of the Army of the People, so that SFA can go to the U.S. On December 5th, Milam stood in front of the army and said: “Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?” 400 troops, led by Milam then attacked the city. Ben Milam

Battle of Bejar The Battle lasted from December 5th through December 10th. Extremely bloody, hard fought battle that was fought house to house. Cos (who was at the Alamo) had no choice but to surrender the city on December 10th. Unfortunately, the man who started the attack, never saw the victory. Ben Milam was killed by a sniper on December 7th.

Milam Park in San Antonio

Celebrate! The war is over! (or is it?) By January 1836, many Texans migrated to San Antonio to celebrate the victory over the Mexicans. James Bowie arrived with his army, he was ordered by Sam Houston to burn the Alamo. William B. Travis arrived with about 30 men to assist Colonel Neill with defending the city.

David Crockett arrives in Texas At the end of January, 1836 the legendary Davy Crockett arrived in San Antonio. Famous hunter and storyteller from Tennessee Tennessee legislature 1821-1823 U.S. Congress 1827-1833 Became disgusted with politics and told the U.S. congress: “You can all go to hell, I’m going to Texas!” In January, 1836, the Texans were celebrating as if the war was over….

Little did they know Santa Anna was building an army in Mexico and was preparing his troops for invasion