The South Texas campaign, 1836

In early 1836, Mexican General José de Urrea led troops through South Texas as part of the Mexican effort to regain control during the Texas Revolution. Urrea’s forces defeated Texian groups at San Patricio on February 27 and at Agua Dulce Creek on March 2. (Texians was a common term for people fighting for Texas independence.) Colonel James Fannin commanded a Texian force near Goliad. After receiving orders to retreat, Fannin delayed leaving while he gathered supplies and tried to move his men and cannons. On March 19, Mexican forces caught the Texians on open ground near Coleto Creek. The Texians formed a defensive square and fought off attacks, but they had little water and were surrounded. Fannin surrendered the next day. The captured Texians were taken to Goliad. On March 27, 1836, Mexican soldiers executed most of them under orders from President and General Antonio López de Santa Anna. The event became known as the Goliad Massacre. News of the executions strengthened anger and resolve among many Texians. “Remember Goliad!” became a rallying cry, alongside “Remember the Alamo!” The defeats were serious, but they did not end the revolution. Sam Houston’s army continued retreating eastward, avoiding a major fight until the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, where Texian forces defeated Santa Anna’s army.

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