The Capture of San Antonio Ch. 9, Sect. 2 Main Idea: Texans won a victory at San Antonio, but the provisional government failed.

What was the “Grass Fight”? A skirmish over a Mexican mule train outside San Antonio (reported by Texas army scout Erastus “Deaf” Smith) Texans thought they were intercepting money, but discovered that their cargo consisted only of grass for Cos’ horses! Texas volunteers called off the siege in early December 1835 because, they were cold, hungry, restless, and running out of supplies

What was the Battle of San Antonio? When the siege was ending, commander Edward Burleson got news that the Mexican army was weakened. Ben Milam, an empresario who had helped capture Goliad, gathered 300 men to fight with him into San Antonio

“Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?”

How did the Texans attack San Antonio? Milam led one column and Frank Johnson led another column of men The Texas volunteers fought their way into San Antonio and pushed Mexican forces toward the center of town.

What happened to Ben Milam? On Dec. 7, the second day of the siege, a sniper sitting in this tree shot and killed Ben Milam. After Milam’s death, Frank W. Johnson took full command of the attack

What advantage did the Texans have? Texans had an advantage of fighting from house to house against a force trained to fight in open combat. The Mexican soldiers retreated to an abandoned mission known as the Alamo.

Open field Warfare

Urban Combat – House to House Warfare

Main Texans Camp Alamo City Center of San Antonio de Bexar

How did the Battle of San Antonio end? On December 9, General Cós surrendered. He promised to never again fight against the Texans or the Constitution of 1824 In return he and his men were allowed to return to Mexico. Texans believed that the war was over because they had defeated the Mexican army

How did Tejanos and free African Americans support the Texans? About 100 Tejanos, led by Captain Juan N. Seguin, were in the Texas army at San Antonio. Hendrick Arnold, a free African American, guided Milam’s column in the Battle. Greenbury Logan, another free African American, was wounded in the battle.

Free African Americans Above: Hendrick Arnold, free black Texan; revolution scout Above: Greenbury Logan, free black Texan, revolution soldier

Why did the Provisional Government fail? Governor Henry Smith rejected a proposal to hold a convention of the people in March, but the council overrode his veto. Later, the council approved a plan to capture Matamoros, but Governor Smith vetoed it. Disagreements resulted in a breakdown of government, leaving Texas unprepared to fight Santa Anna