The Saga Of The Texas Independence Trail Region
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By Bobby J. Wheat, Chair - Chambers County Historical Commission Chairman |
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February 8, 2010 |
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Part 3 The Mexican Dictator, Santa Anna sent 40 troops to Anahuac, with lumber and other materials to repair and reoccupy the fort. The Colonists again banded together, acquired a small cannon, lashed it to the deck of a small boat and attacked the fort from the Bay. After firing a few rounds from the cannon towards the fort, a landing party went ashore and attacked the fort. The Mexican troops again surrendered. This was The Texas Navy’s first successful naval engagement on an enemy. The second capture of the fort at Anahuac by the Colonists. There was at Gonzales, a small brass cannon that had been given to the town by Mexico to protect the town from marauding Indians. Mexican Army Captain Castenado and 140 troops received orders to march to Gonzales and retrieve the cannon, forcing the town, if necessary, to give it up. On September 29, 1835, Castenado advanced upon Gonzales and ordered the cannon be surrendered. Two days passed however, and Castenado failed to attack the town. The Texians, meanwhile, decided to attack Castenado, demand his surrender, and retain the cannon. On October 1, at dawn, the Texians attacked Castenado, firing the small brass cannon at the Mexican troops, killing four. The Mexicans fled. In an engagement of only 30 minutes, 94 Texians conquered 400 Mexican soldiers, but the Texians, like the colonists at Anahuac, were free men, fighting for their liberty, while the Mexicans were little better than slaves, fighting under threat of the lash. The Texians lost one man, the Mexicans had 60 killed. The victory won in this battle greatly encouraged the Texians, and made them feel God was with their cause. After the fight at Gonzales, Austin and his men fought the battle of Conception, winning over the Mexicans. Austin then joined forces with Travis and Bowie and marched within one mile of San Antonio. The Texians, made more by the recent victories wanted to storm the city, but hesitated because they knew Mexican General Cos had a strong force in San Antonio, and the town was well fortified. Then on December 4, 1835, with morale low and indecision of whether to attack, grumbling within the Texian troops, Ben Milam stood up and said, “Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio”? Cheer after cheer rose from the colonists and more than 300 volunteered to go with him on the attack of the town. Plans were laid for the attack. While it was still dark on the morning of December 5, Milam and his 300 men stole quietly into San Antonio and hid at an old mill, where Milam readied to give the signal for the attack on the town. Awaiting the signal from Travis, who was preparing to attack the Alamo mission and take it away from the Mexican Army. Upon opening fire on the Alamo, the Mexican troops quickly responded. At the sound of the Alamo attack, Milam gave his orders and began the attack on the town of San Antonio. The battles raged with a dreadful fury. Desperate bravery was shown on both sides. For five days and four nights they struggled. At last, by their heroism, Milam’s troops captured a Priest’s house overlooking the public square. With this advantage, the Texians were able to silence all the cannon of the Mexicans, and win the victory over and the Alamo. The saddest of the misfortunes of our men, was the death of brave Ben Milam. He was killed in battle. He died on December 7, 1835. On the spot, made sacred by his fall, he was buried. During the first days of the attack, a red and black flag had floated from the Mexican quarters in the Alamo. This flag meant “Death to Every Texian”. But on the morning of December 9th, General Cos was forced to raise the white flag of surrender. Upon the terms of his surrender, General Cos would be allowed to return to Mexico: 1. on the conditions that he would never oppose the return of government to a purely republican form; 2. and that all convict Mexican soldiers were to be taken out of Texas; 3. and that any Mexican soldier who wanted to leave the Army could stay in San Antonia as a private citizen; and 4, lastly, all of the public property that was captured in the battle would become property of the victors. The Mexican Army lost 150 killed, the Texians lost 2 men. After the Texians captured San Antonio and the Alamo Mission, the Texas Army rapidly scattered, men going home to their families, and the Christmas season approaching, leaving only a handful of men to garrison San Antonio and the Alamo. Lt. Col. William B. Travis and his small force was left in charge. They were well armed, had several cannon, but limited amount of ammunition. Captured Mexican gunpowder was only slightly better than ground charcoal and saltpeter mix. If, however, they were weak in numbers, the men were strong in courage. Among the group of Texians were Bonham, Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett—four names that would forever live in History. After the crushing defeat of General Cos at San Antonio, Santa Anna vowed that he would never rest until Texas would be humbled to the dust. Continued in Part 4 ~~ THE ONCOMING TIDE ~~
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The Saga Of The Texas Independence Trail Region (first published by The Anahuac Progress) written by CCHC Chairman Bobby J. Wheat |
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Chambers County Historical Commission News |
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