Chapter I: Preface

The active period of the Texas Revolution lasted from October 2, 1835, to April 22, 1836. The capture of General Santa Anna, coupled with the decisive victory at San Jacinto, ended, for all practical purposes, the war with Mexico. Mexico would mount two raids into Texas, each capturing San Antonio temporarily. But never again did Mexico have permanent control of any Texas territory north of the Rio Grande. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, finally acknowledged Texas independence from Mexico.

The information for this select glossary of the Texas Revolution is drawn from a number of sources, but principally from the three-volume _Handbook of Texas_. With few exceptions, information about persons or places is confined to the period from October 1835 through April 1836. Additional information about the men who fought for and against Texas independence can be found in the _Handbook_ and in the books listed in the bibliography.

_The Texas Revolution_

The summer of 1835 was filled with unrest. In June the colonists had discovered that General Cos intended to use the military to force Texan compliance with government regulations. William B. Travis and a body of some 50 men responded to this threat in August by attacking and taking the fort at Anahuac. The action, although universally condemned by the Texans, strengthened Mexican determination to bring a military peace-keeping force to Texas.

Texans feared that rights and liberties guaranteed by the Mexican Constitution of 1824 were threatened by this action and the increasing centralization of the government in Mexico. Mexican officials viewed Texan opposition as a direct attack on Mexican national honor, an insult to the government which had generously allowed the colonists to settle in Texas.

The arrival of Mexican troops in Texas finally united the Texans in opposition to Santa Anna’s government. When Colonel Ugartechea demanded that a cannon at Gonzales be returned, the colonists refused. The first battle of the Revolution took place. The Mexican commander was forced to retreat.

Gonzales fell on October 2; Goliad, on October 10. James Bowie and William Barrett Travis captured Espada and Concepcion Missions in October. Fort Lipantitlan surrendered in early November. Between December 5 and December 10, after a month-long siege, San Antonio was taken by the Texas Army and the Mexican troops remaining in Texas were forced to retreat to Mexico. At year’s end, no “foreign” troops remained on Texas soil.

The battles of 1835 were fought mainly by Texas settlers, men who had a vested interest in defending Texas’ soil. By the end of the year, however, they believed the war was over, and they returned to their homes. The 1836 campaign would be conducted principally with volunteers from the United States, a weakness that would hamper the war effort throughout the rest of the Revolution.

While the Texan army drove out the Mexican forces, a “Consultation” of delegates from each of the municipalities met to determine how best to proceed. On November 7, they issued a declaration of causes for taking up arms against Santa Anna. A vote of 33 to 15 favored the peace party: Texas would fight to restore the Constitution of 1824 and to achieve separate statehood for Texas within the Mexican confederation.

A government of sorts was set up by the Consultation. It consisted of a governor, council, and lieutenant governor. None of the parties held sufficient executive or legislative powers. Furthermore, the governor, Henry Smith, favored complete independence for Texas; a majority of the council favored continuing as part of Mexico. Within a month these parties were fighting among themselves. Then, on January 10, Governor Smith attempted to dismiss the council; the council impeached Smith and replaced him with Lt. Governor James W. Robinson.

The split between Smith and the council was caused by attempts to mount a Matamoros Expedition—an ill-favored plan to take the war outside of Texas and to keep U. S. volunteers occupied. Although the Matamoros Expedition never was organized, it drew off supplies and volunteers desperately needed in Texas, and it divided the political and military leaders at a time when unified action was essential.

As winter held Texas in its grip, Santa Anna mounted a counterattack. Arriving in San Antonio on February 23, he laid siege to the Alamo, where 150 Texans attempted to buy time for Texas. Only 32 volunteers from Gonzales came to reinforce the men at the Alamo. All were killed shortly after dawn on March 6.

While the Alamo was besieged, Texans met in Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos. On March 2, the Convention declared Texas independence, and a Declaration to that effect was signed the following day. Before the meeting adjourned, a constitution was drafted and an interim government set up.

Texan reverses in the field continued. Learning of the fall of the Alamo, Sam Houston and the undermanned and untrained Texas army began a hasty retreat eastward.

F. W. Johnson was attacked at San Patricio on February 27, and only he and four men survived. James Grant and his men were surrounded and killed at Agua Dulce on March 2.

Refugio was attacked and Amon King and the garrison were killed on March 16. William Ward, who had been sent to relieve King, was captured with his men on March 22. They were marched to Goliad where they were executed on March 27.

Fannin, who had failed to respond to calls for help from the Alamo because he lacked transport for his arms and supplies, finally began a retreat on March 19. He and his men were caught outside Goliad at Coleto. After fighting off several attacks, Fannin was finally forced to surrender on the morning of the 20th. Returned to Goliad, Fannin and his men awaited a decision about their fate. Gen. Urrea favored treating them as prisoners of war; Santa Anna demanded that they be executed as pirates. Santa Anna prevailed. His orders were carried out on Palm Sunday, March 27.

Throughout April, the remaining Texas troops fled to the east. While they retreated, panic seized the colonists. The Runaway Scrape saw hundreds of families take to the roads fleeing from the oncoming Mexican army. Even the Texas government was caught up in the frenzy as Santa Anna moved steadily eastward. Indeed, the government narrowly escaped being captured as its members prepared to sail to Galveston.

Finally, on April 20, the Mexican and Texan armies met at San Jacinto. A brief skirmish was fought on April 20. Then, as the afternoon shadows began to lengthen, on April 21 the Texan army advanced against Santa Anna’s troops. What took place then was a slaughter of the Mexican army, its men taken by surprise, cut off from escape.

The Texan victory was completed the next day when a poorly-dressed soldier was brought in from the field. The prisoners’ reactions soon revealed that this was, indeed, President-General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. For all practical purposes, the war was at an end.

A

Ad Interim Government The last act of the Convention of 1836 was to
elect an interim government to serve until the people of Texas
could ratify the Constitution and hold regular elections. David G.
Burnet served as president; Lorenzo de Zavala, vice-president.
This government acted from March 16 until October 16, 1836.

Agua Dulce, Battle of Fought March 2, 1836. James Grant’s small body
of men, a part of the Matamoros Expedition, and troops commanded
by Jose Urrea met on a spot some 26 miles from San Patricio. Grant
and most of his men were killed. Those who escaped death either
were made prisoner by the Mexican army or were to join Fannin’s
forces at Goliad, only to be executed in the Goliad Massacre.

Alamo Mission The Mission San Antonio de Valero, known as the “Alamo,”
was used as a fort by the Mexican army from 1821 until December
1835. After a two-month siege, Texan troops took over San Antonio
on December 10, and drove the Mexican army from the city. Texan
soldiers hastened to the Alamo on February 23, 1836, as Santa
Anna’s army entered San Antonio. After a 13-day siege, the Mexican
army succeeded in taking the Alamo on March 6. None of the 187
Texan soldiers survived the battle and its aftermath.

Almonte, Juan Nepumoceno A colonel in the Mexican Army, Almonte
accompanied Santa Anna as an aide-de-camp. He was captured at San
Jacinto. Almonte’s report to the Mexican government in January
1834 alerted the government to the possibility that Texas might be
taken from Mexico by force or by diplomacy.

Anahuac Angered over the arrest of Andrew Briscoe, citizens of
Anahuac, led by William B. Travis, attacked the garrison on June
29, 1835. Mexican troops under Antonio Tenorio were forced to
surrender and were expelled on June 30. The action was condemned
by most Texans, and numerous communities sent in protests to the
Mexican government. Mexico retaliated by sending military forces
under the command of General Cos to Texas to quell any future
demonstrations.

Archer, Branch Tanner Before joining the Consultation, Archer
participated in the capture of Gonzales. He was the president of
the Consultation, and he was appointed by that body to serve as
one of three commissioners to the United States, empowered to
secure men and money for the war effort.

Austin, Stephen Fuller His speech at Brazoria on September 8, 1835,
encouraged the colonists to seek independence from Mexican rule.
Austin was elected commander-in-chief of the Volunteer Army in the
field, and, as such, directed the operations of the Texan army
before Bexar. In November 1835, the Consultation appointed him a
Commissioner to the United States, where he worked throughout the
remainder of the Revolution, negotiating for men and money to
support the revolutionary forces.

Austin, William Tennant At the beginning of hostilities, he sent
supplies to the Texas army from the mouth of the Brazos. He
participated in the siege of Bexar and later served as an aide to
Stephen F. Austin, Edward Burleson, and Sam Houston.

B

Baker, Moseley A leader of the war party in Texas before the
Revolution, Baker went into east Texas with F. W. Johnson to
recruit soldiers for Texas in August 1835. Baker fought in the
battle of Gonzales and the Grass Fight. He was elected captain of
his company on March 1, 1836. His command prevented the Mexicans’
crossing the Brazos during the Texas Army’s retreat. After burning
San Felipe, he rejoined Houston’s army and was wounded in the
battle of San Jacinto. In that engagement, Baker commanded Company
D, 1st Regiment of the Texas Volunteers.

Barrett, Don Carlos Barrett served as president of the Mina Committee
of Safety and Correspondence and represented that community at the
Consultation. Barrett was instrumental in framing the Declaration
of November 7, 1835. After the session, Barrett became a member of
the General Council. He was elected judge advocate general of the
Texas Army, but resigned because of ill health shortly after Henry
Smith’s impeachment.

Bean, Peter Ellis Bean had served in the Mexican wars for independence
from Spain, and, for that reason, was regarded with suspicion by
the colonists. However, he is credited with having kept the Indian
tribes from interfering with the Texan army throughout the
Revolution. Neither side fully trusted him during the war.

Beason’s Ferry Crossing on the Colorado River, south of Burn(h)am’s
Ferry. Santa Anna’s army crossed the river at this point on April
5, 1836.

Bexar The term encompasses both the presidio of San Antonio de Bexar
and the villa of San Fernando de Bexar, which became present-day
San Antonio. It also includes the municipality of Bexar which
eventually became Bexar county.

Benavides, Placido Benavides organized a band of Mexican soldiers to
fight for the Texan cause at the outbreak of hostilities. In
February 1836, he was with James Grant at the battle of Agua Dulce
Creek. Grant ordered him to escape and to report the news of
Urrea’s arrival to Fannin at Goliad.

Bonham, James Butler Bonham was commissioned a lieutenant of cavalry
on December 20, 1835. He arrived at the Alamo some time between
January 18 and 23, possibly with James Bowie. At the beginning of
Santa Anna’s siege, Travis sent Bonham to Goliad to request
reinforcements from Fannin. On Bonham’s return, he was sent to
Goliad and Gonzales to raise volunteers. In spite of the danger,
Bonham forced his way back into the Alamo on March 3 and died
there on March 6.

Borden, Gail Jr. Borden published the _Telegraph and Texas Register_,
beginning the publication on October 10, 1835. The press had to be
moved from San Felipe to Harrisburg and then to Columbia as the
Texans retreated before Santa Anna’s advance.

Borden, John P. Borden fought under Collinsworth at Goliad, October 7,
1835. Along with five other men, he signed a protest addressed to
S. F. Austin, demanding that the men of Goliad be allowed to
choose their own commander. He served under Dimmitt, but was
discharged January 11. He rejoined the army on February 29, and,
as a member of Moseley Baker’s company, he fought in the battle of
San Jacinto.

Bowie, James A leader in the battle of Concepcion and the Grass Fight,
Bowie also participated in the siege of Bexar and the surrender of
General Cos. He commanded the volunteer forces in San Antonio when
William B. Travis arrived with regular army troops. After James C.
Neill left the San Antonio on February 14, 1836, Bowie and Travis
shared command of the army: Travis in charge of the regular
forces; Bowie, of the volunteers. He was stricken with “typhoid
pneumonia” on February 24 and remained confined to his cot
throughout the siege and fall of the Alamo.

Bowles, Chief (The Bowl) Chief of the Cherokee tribes in East Texas,
Bowles was reported to have accepted a Mexican commission during
the Revolution. However, he signed a treaty of peace with the
Texas government on February 23, 1836, and the war ran its course
with no organized Indian interference.

_Bravo_ A Mexican war vessel blockading the Texas coast in early
November, the _Bravo_ participated in the capture of the American
ship, the _Hannah Elizabeth_. The _Bravo_, with two other Mexican
ships, fought an engagement with the Texan man-of-war
_Independence_ in April 1836.

Another ship, formerly called the _Montezuma_ but rechristened the
_Bravo_ was engaged in battle by the _Invincible_, commanded by
Captain Jeremiah Brown. The battle took place at the mouth of the Rio
Grande, about 35 miles from Matamoros. The _Bravo_ grounded and was
crippled by a broadside fired from the _Invincible_.

Brazoria Most men from Brazoria had joined the Texan army at the
outbreak of the war. Nearly all of the remaining population had
fled in the Runaway Scrape when Jose Urrea burned the town on
April 22, 1836.

_Brutus_ The _Brutus_ was bought and equipped as a privateer by
Augustus C. and John K. Allen. The brothers sold the ship to the
Texas Navy on January 25, 1836. The ship did not see action in the
war, however.

Bryan, Moses Austin While Stephen F. Austin commanded the Texan
volunteers in the field, Bryan served as his secretary. After
Austin’s retirement from the army, Bryan joined the army as
private and fought in Moseley Baker’s company in the battle of San
Jacinto. At the time, he was serving as Thomas J. Rusk’s
aide-de-camp. He was an interpreter at the conference between
General Houston and Santa Anna.

Bryan, William A New Orleans merchant, Bryan furnished men and money
to the Revolution. He was appointed general agent for Texas by the
General Council on January 26, 1836, and, with his partner Edward
Hall, he served as purchasing agent for the revolutionary
government.

Buffalo Bayou This stream flows east from Fort Bend County to the San
Jacinto River. On April 20, 1836, Sam Houston’s army crossed the
San Jacinto River at Lynch’s Ferry and camped on the south bank of
Buffalo Bayou. On April 21, the battle of San Jacinto was fought
on its banks, near the point where the stream flows into the San
Jacinto River.

Burleson, Edward At Gonzales, on October 10, 1835, Burleson was
elected colonel of the only regiment raised under Stephen F.
Austin’s command. He succeeded Austin in the command of the
volunteer army in November. On December 3, Burleson was forced to
order a withdrawal of the army to Goliad, but Milam’s support of
an advance against Bexar countermanded that move. On December 18,
Burleson succeeded Philip Sublett as colonel of infantry. At San
Jacinto he commanded the 1st Regiment of Texas Volunteers.

Burnam’s Ferry Also spelled “Burnham’s,” the ferry was at the La Bahia
Road crossing of the Colorado River. Sam Houston’s army crossed
the river at this point on March 17, 1836. The ferry was destroyed
on March 19 to prevent its being used by the Mexican army.

Burnet, David Gouverneur Burnet represented the Municipality of
Liberty in the Consultation. The Convention of 1836 elected him
president of the interim government, a position he held until
October 16, 1836.