The Last Battles of the Texas

Revolution

RUNAWAY SCRAPE

As the Texans heard of the Alamo defeat they became scared.

Many of the people living in Gonzales feared for their life.

They packed their belongings and fled east toward Louisiana to get away from Santa Anna.

RUNAWAY SCRAPE

Even before the Battle of the Alamo, the settlements of San Patricio and Refugio had been deserted.

On March 12, 1836 - Houston had sent messengers urging people in Texas to leave their homes.

This was known as the Runaway Scrape. Later many people returned to their homes and found them ruined.

GOLIAD MASSACRE

After the Alamo a part of the Mexican Army moved toward the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad.

On March 14, 1836 - Colonel James Fannin and between 300 and 400 Texas soldiers had returned to Goliad after attempting to march to the Alamo.

Fannin received a request from Mr. Ayers to help him get his family and a few others out of Goliad because the Mexican Army was coming.

GOLIAD MASSACRE

Fannin sent Captain King with 28 men, but they were met by Mexican soldiers.

When they didn’t return he sent Lt. Colonel Ward and 125 men to help.

On March 13, Sam Houston ordered Fannin to blow up the fort and retreat northward to Victoria to avoid Santa Anna’s army.

On the 14th, 15th and 16th Fannin sent scouts to find King and Ward. They returned with reports that both groups were caught or killed by General Urrea’s army.

GOLIAD MASSACRE Finally on March 17, 1836, after several reports from

scouts about the approaching army, Fannin orders the fort to be prepared to leave.

It wasn’t until March 19, 1836 that Fannin and his men actually left Goliad. It was foggy which helped Fannin and his men leave.

The oxen teams had not been fed as they should have been so they were tired and moved slow.

While resting, Fannin and his men were surrounded by General Urrea and his Mexican soldiers at Coleto Creek.

Fannin tried to continue retreat, but was unable. So he placed his men in a square and ordered them to fire.

The Mexicans then fired on the Texans until Fannin surrendered.

Fannin managed to work out a surrender agreement with General Urrea, so he men surrendered.

GOLIAD MASSACRE

All Texans captured were placed in Goliad jail.

Urrea had made a deal with Fannin stating that Santa Anna would agree.

Santa Anna responded to Urrea with orders to execute all Texans.

At sunrise on March 27, 1836 (Passover Sunday) – the Mexican soldiers separated the Texans into three groups.

GOLIAD MASSACRE

They were marched along the roads leading to San Patricio, Bexar and Victoria where the Mexican soldiers shot and killed all the prisoners in the 3 groups.

The senseless killing of all these prisoners was known as the Goliad Massacre.

After Sam Houston heard of this he sent two scouts (spies) to keep track of the Mexican army. The scouts were – Erastus Smith and Hendrick Arnold.

After leaving Washington-on-the Brazos, Houston found 374 men waiting in Gonzales for him.

Houston moved his army to the Colorado River.

They had little food, gunpowder and horses.

He sent word for men, horses and supplies to meet him at Beason’s Crossing close to Washington-on-the Brazos.

THE RETREAT– BEASON’S CROSSING

BEASON’S CROSSING

After the Alamo, Santa Anna thought the fight was over and sent soldiers to burn San Felipe, help Urrea in Goliad, and then run the settlers out of Nacogdoches.

Santa Anna sent General Sesma to go east.

He stopped at Beason’s Crossing just across the river from Sam Houston.

THE RETREAT Houston saw Gen. Sesma, but still didn’t

have the men and supplies he needed so he retreated.

People thought Houston was running from Santa Anna, but he was helping citizens in the Runaway Scrape.

For two weeks, Houston drilled his men until supplies came.

He received two cannons from the people of Cincinnati, Ohio and they were called, “The Twin Sisters”

BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO Houston sent Mosley Baker to keep

Santa Anna and his men from crossing the Brazos River.

Santa Anna traveled to Fort Bend and then to Harrisburg where the Texas government was meeting.

Houston began his route to Harrisburg. Santa Anna reached Harrisburg on

April 15 hoping to capture the officers of the Texas Republic, especially Lorenzo de Zavala.

Texas leaders had left for Morgan’s point because Sam Houston had sent a scout to warn them.

BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO

Santa Anna burned Harrisburg and went on to Morgan’s Point, again missing the leaders headed to Galveston.

He then turned back towards Lynch’s Ferry along Buffalo Bayou.

Houston’s scouts learned about Santa Anna’s whereabouts.

Houston learned that Santa Anna was in front of him on the South side of Buffalo Bayou. He could now choose where he would fight.

THE LAST BATTLE

Santa Anna’s army had about 700 men. Houston finally had about 1,200 but

many were sick with the measles. He left about 300 men at Harrisburg. On April 20, Houston and his men came

to Lynch’s Ferry. They captured a boat with food and

supplies meant for Santa Anna with a couple of soldiers.

Deaf Smith brought word Santa Anna was only a few miles away.

Houston set up camp in the woods along the bayou and waited.

THE LAST BATTLE Santa Anna learned that Houston and his

men were camped in the woods and tried to draw them into battle. They fired a cannon, but no damage was done.

Santa Anna sent messengers into the woods about 400 yards in front of Houston’s army.

Houston’s cavalry rode out, but no fighting happened.

Houston aimed the “Twin Sisters” on the enemy and they retreated.

Santa Anna then made camp at the banks of the San Jacinto River.

THE LAST BATTLE During the night General Cos and many

soldiers crossed Vince’s Bridge and joined Santa Anna.

Houston sent Deaf Smith and a helper to Vince’s Bridge and burned it.

No more Mexican soldiers could reach Santa Anna, but no Texans could get away either.

About 3:00 Houston called his men and told them to get ready.

He placed the cavalry at the end of the battle line and the Twin Sisters were at the very center.

THE LAST BATTLE

Houston instructed his soldiers to not shoot until they were in a pistol’s shot of the enemy.

The Texans rushed forward with the battle cries of “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!”

Sam Houston was on his white horse with his sword drawn and led them into the battle.

Santa Anna’s men had been taking a “siesta”. He did not think that Sam Houston would dare attack him.

THE LAST BATTLE

The Texans fought like wild men. The Mexican soldiers were used to fighting

in rows and acted on orders from officers. They had no time to get into a line and

receive commands and their guns were stacked in piles.

In 18 minutes the battle was over. Those who were not killed ran away as fast as they could. Some Mexicans jumped into the river and others into the swamp.

THE LAST BATTLE

A few tried to get to Vince’s Bridge, but the Texans were right on them.

630 Mexicans were killed and 730 were taken prisoner. 208 of them were injured.

Only nine of the 910 Texans were killed and 30 wounded, including Sam Houston.

THE LAST BATTLE

Santa Anna had mounted his horse and left. He couldn’t be found until the next morning.

He was dressed as a common soldier and was captured.

As he passed the other prisoners they began to bow and call him El Presidente. He was immediately brought to Sam Houston.

He was then ordered to write letters to his generals to leave Texas and not to harm any other Texans and that the war was over.

TREATIES OF VELASCO

Santa Anna and David G. Burnet signed two treaties at Velasco, a port on the Brazos River, on May 14, 1836

First Treaty-Public TreatyMexican forces would retreat south of

the Rio GrandeAll property taken by Mexican forces

would be returned to TexasAll Texas and Mexican soldiers that were

prisoners would be released-Santa Anna would be returned as soon as possible

TREATIES OF VELASCO Second Treaty-Private Treaty

Carried out after the Public TreatyAgreed to free Santa Anna immediatelySanta Anna agreed to convince the

Mexican government to recognize the independence of the Republic of Texas

The Treaties of Velasco were not accepted by Mexico since Santa Anna was not immediately released.