2. Chapter 11 Sections 4&5

3. The Convention of 1836 Met at Washington-on-the-Brazos March 1, 1836 No library, no printing press, no convention hall Unfinished buildings Hung cloth over the open windows www.davidsanger.com/images/texas

4. Who was at the convention? 59 delegates Only 2 native born Texans 52 from the United States – mostly from Southern states. 1 each from Mexico, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Canada

5. Texas Declaration of Independence Written by George C. Childress, newly arrived from Tennessee Approved by unanimous vote of the Convention on March 2, 1836 March 2 is TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY !

6. Stated that Santa Anna had violated liberties guaranteed under the Mexican Constitution of 1824. Texans had been deprived of freedom of religion, right to trial by jury, right to bear arms, and the right to petition (request something of) the government. Mexico failed to provide a system of public schools. Mexico had used military force against the Texan protests. Grievances

7. Texas Constitution – approved March 16, 1836 Similar to the U.S. Constitution 3 branches of government Executive (President) – the person in charge of carrying out the laws Legislative (Congress) – makes laws Judicial (System of Courts) – punishes lawbreakers

8. Texas Bill of Rights Freedom of speech Freedom of the press Freedom of religion Trial by jury Other basic civil rights (basic human rights)

9. Some ideas from Spanish and Mexican Rule Community Property Law - Property jointly owned by husbands and wives Homestead Law – protects people in debt

10. The bad news … Legalized slavery in Texas Legislature not allowed to free slaves or stop importation of slaves Free African Americans were not allowed to live in Texas without permission of the Texas Congress (This meant that free African Americans who fought for Texas independence were not allowed to live in Texas.)

11. Ad Interim Government (temporary) Ad Interim President - David G. Burnet Ad Interim Vice President – Lorenzo de Zavala www.tspb.state.tx.us/spb/ gallery/govs/images/... www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt /images/zavalalorenzo.jpg

12. Ad Interim Secretary of War – Thomas J. Rusk Commander in Chief of the Texas Army – Sam Houston www.rootsweb.ancestry.com /~txhousto/index_ima... www.tamu.edu/ccbn/ dewitt/images/trusk.jpg

13. Meanwhile in San Antonio, the Alamo had fallen. Word came that Santa Anna’s army was marching toward Washington-on-the-Brazos. The convention broke up in panic. President Burnet and his cabinet left for Harrisburg. As Santa Anna’s army approached, Burnet’s government fled to New Washington and then on to Galveston, barely escaping with their lives.

15. Urrea Sweeps Northward to Refugio Gen. José Urrea and 1,000 troops advanced from Matamoros through South Texas. Captured the towns of San Patricio and Agua Dulce Gen. José Urrea

16. Trouble at Refugio Citizens of Refugio asked for help from Colonel James Fannin at Goliad. Fannin sent 30 men. Part of Urrea’s men surrounded the town. Soldiers took refuge in a mission and asked for more help. Fannin sent 100 more men to help.

17. Disaster at Refugio Texans divided their forces. One group was stopped by Urrea’s men and either killed or captured. Another group withdrew but suffered heavy casualties. The rest of the group was captured near Victoria.

18. Fannin Delays His Departure 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!

19. Battle of Coleto Creek Slowed down by oxen pulling the heavy cannon At Coleto Creek Fannin allowed his men to stop and rest in a open prairie. They were suddenly surrounded by Urrea’s men. Fannin put his men in a square and drove off 3 Mexican attacks. Fannin was wounded in the leg.

20. Battle of Coleto Creek Fannin’s men were trapped in the 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.

21. 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.

22. 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. He also claimed that they were traitors and therefore should be executed.

23. 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.

24. 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”.

25. The Runaway Scrape February – April, 1836

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. The panic increased as more and more people crowded the roads. Food ready to eat was left on tables. Keepsakes were abandoned along the way when panic forced them to move faster.

29. Flooded streams and rivers caused a bottleneck to crossings. At one point 5,000 people were waiting to cross the San Jacinto River.

30. Rain, cold, and lack of food and shelter made the settlers susceptible to diseases such as dysentery and whooping cough. Many people died and were buried where they fell.

31. 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.

32. The Battle of San Jacinto Santa Anna Remains in Texas 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 C. Burnett & temporary government

33. 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 sends word to Fannin: 1. Blow up garrison 2. Retreat from Goliad 3. Join Houston’s army

34. Houston Trains Army After reaching Brazos River 2 companies refuse to retreat further * Left to guard river crossing Houston moved army to Groce’s Plantation * Spent time training troops * Troops complained * Many deserted = get family to safety * President Burnett urges Houston to attack Santa Anna Hendrick Arnold African-America scout for Houston Posed as a runaway slave Able to roam freely through Mexican army camps Kept Houston informed about the Mexican army

35. 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

36. 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

38. Soldiers from Varies Backgrounds Only 1 company were all native Texans Commanded by Juan Seguin Wore cardboard in hat bands so they would not be confused with Mexican soldiers Many soldiers volunteers from the United States

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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 Texan Navy Only had 4 ships Controlled the coast of Texas Brought supplies to soldiers Cut off supplies to Mexican army Forced Mexican troops to withdraw = No supplies

42. 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

43. 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