Group Three CHAPTER 10 NOTES

Provisional Government Founded  The Texans no longer considered themselves a part of Mexico, and needed their own government.  The government consisted of a governor, lieutenant governor, and a general council.  The Council represented the Peace Party.  The Governor, Henry Smith, and the Lieutenant Governor, James W. Robinson, belonged to the War Party.

 Their belief was that if they shared the power, there would be balance and compromise.  Instead, the Government proved ineffective as both held to their own beliefs.  The powers of the officials were poorly defined, causing quarreling and disagreement.

Preparing For War  The Consultation created an official army and appointed Sam Houston as its commander, but he was not given power over the army of the people, which was made of Texan volunteers stationed at San Antonio.  The Consultation also chose Stephen F. Austin, William Wharton, and Branch T. Archer as commissioners to the U.S.  They were supposed to go to the U.S. and supply troops, money, and supplies for war.  The Delegates believed that war was coming.

Military Action  Before the Consultation, more than 400 Texans had joined the Army of the People.  Two of which were James Bowie and Juan N. Seguin, who led the Tejanos, Texans of Mexican descent.  Throughout November, the army grew over 600.  Another hundred Mexican soldiers reinforced General Cos and outnumbered the Texans 750 to 600.

 In early November, William B. Travis captured 300 mules and horses from the Mexican forces at Medina River.  The length of the war and cold weather discouraged both sides, so some went home for clothes and supplies, but were replaced by East Texan volunteers.

The “Grass Fight”  November 25, Austin left for the U.S. To get money and supplies.  He was replaced by Edward Burleson  A scout named Erastus “Deaf” Smith reported that a Mexican cavalry and mule train were heading to San Antonio on November 26.  Burleson thought they were transporting bags of silver to pay the soldiers, so he ordered a cavalry unit, soldier on horses, and foot soldiers( an infantry ).

 The infantry went for the mule train while the cavalry fought the Mexican cavalry.  The battle was close to San Antonio, so Cos sent reinforcements.  The Texans forced the Mexicans out of the fort and captured over three dozen mules, but the bags were filled with grass to feed the animals.  This gave the battle its name, the “Grass Fight.”

The Battle of San Antonio de Bexar  In December, Volunteers grew restless; they felt they had made little to no progress, they were hungry, and they lacked clothing for the winter.  The leaders argued whether or not to attack San Antonio.  Burleson was on the verge of ending the siege when a Mexican officer surrendered claiming that the army was in low conditions and could easily be defeated.  Texans decided not to attack, but some didn’t agree with the decision.

 Benjamin Milam was an empressario who helped capture Goliad and marched with the army to San Antonio; he believed a major victory was vital to independence and would motivate Texans to carry on. He did not agree with the decision to not to attack, and asked the Texans, “Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?”  300 men volunteered.

 Milam organized an attack that began before dawn on December 5 th.  He divided his force into two columns; one led by him and one led by Frank W. Johnson.  They were able to seize all houses north of San Antonio’s public square.  The Mexican army responded with cannon and musket fire, halting the attack.

 The battle lasted four days, and on the third day, Milam was killed and Johnson took over.  The Texans had an advantage because the Mexican troops were trained to fight in open battlefields, not the streets of a town.  Mexican forces were forced towards the center of town and took refuge in the Alamo.  On December 9 th, General Cos surrendered.

 The Texans lost only two men while 21 were reported injured. On the other hand, the Mexican army reported 150 killed, wounded, or captured.  The Mexican forces had to move south of the Rio Grande and Cos promised to never again fight the colonists or Constitution.  Volunteers had a great victory and believed war was over, so they started heading home.  The Texans now had control over San Antonio, The Alamo, and the Presidio at Goliad. Texas soil was now cleared of Mexican troops.

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