-
Battle of Gonzales
Back in 1831, Mexican troops had supplied a cannon to the town of Gonzales. Four years later, the Mexicans wanted it back after political tensions between the Texans. The Texans refused, and Mexican soldiers went to Gonzales to take it back. In the morning of October 2, the soldiers were forced to retreat from the rebel's attack. -
Battle of Goliad
In a battle that just lasted one day, a small army of Texans led by James Fannin was captured after an army of Mexicans led by Jose de Urria attacked from all sides. The Mexicans won and took the Texans as prisoners. This event would eventually lead to the Goliad Massacre. -
Siege of Bexar
On October 28, 1835, a group of Texas soldiers led by James Bowie were looking for a protected location near San Antonio de Bexar. Instead, they ran into a force of 275 Mexican soldiers led by Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea. Not even a half hour later, the Mexicans were in retreat into Bexar. Over the coming months, the Texans laid siege to Bexar until December of 1835, when they successfully captured the city and sent the Mexicans packing. -
Battle of the Alamo
Santa Anna, the president of Mexico, would have his revenge against the Texans after the Battle of the Alamo. In the aftermath of a 13-day siege, 4,000 Mexican soldiers attacked 189 Texan soldiers. In the end, all Texan soldiers were killed, while the Mexicans suffered a loss of 500 men. However, in the years to come, more and more Texans would come to fight Mexico in honor of the Alamo. -
Runaway Scrape
After the Battle of the Alamo, the residents of Gonzoles had gotten word that Santa Anna was on his way toward the town. Anyone in his path would be killed. Sam Houston ordered Gonzoles to be evacuated and then burned- he wanted Santa Anna to not be able to salvage anything. The people of Gonzoles were traveling to the safety of the US before the Mexican army could capture them. Along the way, they faced many hardships like sickness or the roads that had been reduced to mud due to the 1836 rain. -
Goliad Massacre
On March 28, 1836, the prisoners from the Battle of Goliad who had been taken to the city were all executed. Because of the Decree of December 30, 1835, anyone who had taken arms to the Mexican government would be killed. The Mexicans split the Texans into three groups before shooting at the unsuspecting prisoners. After the bloody massacre, only 27 of the original 425 men escaped. Santa Anna was now thought of as a cruel dictator.