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The Siege and Battle of Bexar
The Siege and Battle of Bexar began in late October 1835 after the incident in Gonzalez when angry colonists and Tejanos followed the retreating Alamo Company back to San Antonio in the early stages of the revolution. The siege of the town stalled, resulting in empresario Ben Miliam rallying a force on December 5, 1835. After a five day bloody battle, the Texians took control of the town, forcing Mexican General Martin Perfecto de Cos to Surrender (The Alamo, 2020, "Texas Revolution" section). -
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Texas Revolution
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General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his army arrives at San Antonio
On February 23, 1836, General Santa Anna and his army arrived at San Antonio to put down the frontier rebellion. The Texian rebels withdrew across the San Antonio river into the fortified mission known as the Alamo. As Mexican forces began to surround the Alamo, Santa Anna raised the red flag indicating no quarter would be given to the occupants of the Alamo. Alamo Commander William Barret Travis began writing desperate pleas for help (The Alamo, 2020, "Texas Revolution" section). -
Texas provisional government declares independence from Mexico
On March 2, 1836 the provisional government of Texas organized at Washington-on-the-Brazos. The convention declared independence and the Republic of Texas was born, on paper at least. Delegates elected an interim government, led by President David G. Burnet and developed a Texas Constitution which mirrored the United States'. Unbeknown to the occupants of the Alamo (The Alamo, 2020, "Texas Revolution" section). -
The final attack on the Alamo
The final attack came before dawn on March 6, 1836. Mexican troops stormed the mission and began firing upon it. The roughly 200 Alamo defenders, which the most famous consisted of David Crockett, James Bowie, commander William Barret Travis began firing into the darkness in defense. Mexican soldiers eventually stormed the north wall and flooded the compound. A bloody battle ensued for about 90 minutes. The defenders of the Alamo were all killed (The Alamo, 2020, "Texas Revolution" section). -
The Presidio Nuestra Senora de Loreto de la Bahia (Fort Goliad)
The Presidio, known as Fort Goliad, also played a significant role during the Texas War for Independence. Just two weeks after the Texians defeat at the Alamo, Colonel James W. Fannin and his troops encountered the Mexican Army. The Mexicans captured the Texian forces after a brief battle and took back the Fort Goliad Chapel. After a week Santa Anna ordered all captives to be executed, 300-400 texans lost their lives that day (NPS, 2020, "Presidio Nuestra Senora de Loreto.." section). -
Battle of San Jacinto
The battle of San Jacinto was the concluding military event of the Texas Revolution. This battle was fought near modern day Houston, Texas. This 18 minute battle was led by General Samuel Houston. The Texian army attacked and defeated General Santa Anna's Mexican Army and captured General Santa Anna in the process (L. W. Kemp, "San Jacinto, Battle of," 2020). -
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The Republic of Texas
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The Public Treaty Of Velasco
The interim government of the Republic of Texas took Santa Anna to Velasco at the mouth of the Brazos and offered him freedom in return for his signature on two treaties, one public and the other private. The public treaty of Velasco brought an end to the war and provided that all mexican armies would move south of the Rio Grande. In the secret treaty, Santa Anna promised to lobby the government of Mexico accept the agreement and recognize the boundary at the Rio Grande (Campbell, 2018). -
Sam Houston is elected President of Texas
On September 5, 1836 Sam Houston won the presidency of Texas by a landslide. Mirabeau B. Lamar was also elected to serve as Vice President. Voters also chose the first congress of the republic, unanimously endorsed the Constitution written in March, and overwhelmingly supported annexation to the United States. Houston appointed Stephen Austin as his Secretary of State and Henry Smith as Secretary of the Treasury (Campbell, 2018). -
Santa Anna leaves Texas for Washington D.C.
President Houston and Secretary of State Austin decided that Santa Anna, who was still being held as a prisoner, could help with the republic's diplomatic problems. On November 25, 1836 Santa Anna departed Columbia for D.C. He brought with him 3 Texans and a confidential letter from Houston to Andrew Jackson that expressed the "great desire" that the country of Texas br annexed by the United States (Campbell, 2018). -
Boundary Act of 1836
President Houston urged the Texas Congress to pass an act that established the boundaries of Texas. Congress responded on December 19, 1836, with an act that based the southwestern boundary on the Rio Grande. The line followed the river from the Gulf of Mexico to its source and thence due north to the 42nd parallel, the boundary established between America and Spanish claims (Campbell, 2018). -
Stephen F. Austin dies
Stephen F. Austin - "The father of Texas" tragically dies due to pneumonia on December 27, 1836 (Campbell, 2018). -
Mirabeau B. Lamar is elected President of Texas
Mirabeau B. Lamar took office as the second President of Texas on December 10, 1838. President Lamar wasted no time in taking an agressive stance against the Indians of Texas (Campbell, 2018). -
Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with France
Thanks to James Pinckney Henderson and the fact that france was on the verge of war with Mexico over unpaid debts to its citizens, in September of 1839 France signed a treaty of friendship and commerce with Texas. This was the first European nation to grant recognition to Texas (Campbell, 2018). -
Relocation of Texas Capital
President Lamar was aggressive in relocating the capital of Texas. In January 1839 congress passed an act creating a five man commission to locate a sit "at some point between the rivers Trinity and Colorado and above the old San Antonio road." The commissioners quickly recommended a hamlet on the Colorado River called Waterloo as the future site of Austin (Campbell, 2018). -
Santa Fe Expedition
The Santa Fe Expedition departed Austin on June 18, 1841 under the command of General Hugh McLeod. The expedition consisted of 321 various peoples such as soldiers, merchants, and adventurers. The expedition turned disastrous. After finally reaching New Mexico, everyone was arrested and forced to march to Mexico City. Many died along the way. The Santa Fe expedition ruined all hope of establishing trade relations with new Mexico (Campbell, 2018). -
The Second Houston Administration
Sam Houston defeated David Burnet and was elected President for a second time on December 13, 1841. Edward Burleson defeated Meacum Hunt and was elected as Vice President (Campbell, 2018). -
Mexico invades Texas for first time since 1836
On March 5, 1842 the Mexican Army led by General Rafael Vaszquez crossed the Rio Grande river with 1,400 men quickly taking over San Antonio, then retreating back to Mexico with 100 prisoners. In response, Vice President Burleson organized three companies of mounted volunteers and led them to San Antonio with the intention of pursuing Velazquez. Velazquez was able to escape. this invasion complicated the relations between Mexico and Texas (Campbell, 2018). -
Capture of San Antonio.. Again.
General Adrian Woll, and the Mexican Army swept into Texas and briefly captured San Antonio on 09/11/1842. Volunteers and a small force of Rangers commanded by Captain John C. "Jack" Hays rushed to San Antonio and lured the Mexican army into a battle on Salado Creek east of the city. The Texans defeated Woll and his army but allowed them to retreat into the city and then head back to Mexico. President Houston ordered General Somervell to pursue the Mexican army to the border (Campbell, 2018). -
Mier Expedition
Many of the Texans commanded by General Somervell wanted to continue an offensive campaign into Mexico, but on December 19, Somervell ordered a retreat. However 300 men refused and chose Colonel William S. Fisher as their commander and decided to carry onward into Mexico. Fisher and his men moved down on the north side of the Rio Grande river for about ten miles, then crossed the river and entered the town of Mier. They harassed locals and took a hostage before retreating back across the river. -
Mier Expedition.. Continued..
General Pedro de Ampudia and the an army of over 900 men occupied the town of Mier. Fisher decided to attack without first ascertaining how large of a force he faced. The battle began on Christmas Day of 1842 continued into the following day. Low on ammunition, Fisher and his men surrendered. They were rounded up and marched towards Mexico City. In early 1843 Santa Anna ordered the execution of 1 in every 10 of the surviving men to be chosen by black bean (Campbell, 2018). -
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Annexation to the United States
The long and political process of the Annexation of Texas to the United States began to pick up steam in early 1843 and slowly accelerated throughout 1844. -
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Joint Resolution of Congress
President Tyler of the United States sent Congress a message in December of 1844, recommending annexation by a joint resolution in late January 1845. The house responded by passing an annexation resolution in late January of 1845 by a vote of 120 to 98. Following minor amendments, the senate concurred on the night of February 27 by the narrow margin of 27 to 25. The joint resolution called for Texas to enter the union as a State rather than a territory (Campbell, 2018). -
Approval of Annexation
The Texas Congress and a convention of delegates met on July 4th of 1845 in Austin to vote on annexation to the United States. With nearly unanimous approval, an ordinance was adopted approving the annexation of Texas to the United States. -
Annexation is officially approved and Constitution is drafted
On October 13, 1845, Texans approved annexation to the United States by a 4,254 to 267 margin and the constitution by a vote of 4,174 to 312 (Campbell, 2018) -
Texans go to the polls to elect a state government
Texans went to the polls on December 15, and elected a James Pinckney Henderson as governor. They also elected other executive officals, and a state legislature (Campbell, 2018). -
Texas enters the Union
The United States Congress accepted the state constitution in December, and President James K. Polk signed the texas Admission Act on December 29, 1845 (Campbell, 2018). Texas was officially a state in the United States. -
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The State of Texas
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A meeting of old and new. The end of a Republic.
On January 19, 1846, members of the state's new government met with the leaders of the republic in front of the capitol in Austin for a ceremony marking the completion of annexation. Anson jones delivered his last oration as President, concluding "The final act in this great drama is now preformed. The Republic of Texas is no more" (Campbell, 2018).
