Chapter C

Centralists A Mexican political party which supported a strong central
government (instead of a federal system). Although Santa Anna had
originally gained the presidency of Mexico by supporting the
federal cause, he had decided in 1834 that Mexico was not yet
ready for democracy. He dissolved the state legislatures in
October 1835, putting the nation under a single, central governing
body.

Chambers, Thomas Jefferson Chambers took an active part in the events
leading to the Revolution. He offered his land for security to
raise men and money for the war. The provisional government
commissioned him a major general of reserves and sent him to the
United States to secure volunteers and munitions.

Childress, George Campbell Childress was elected a delegate to the
Convention of 1836 shortly after he arrived in Texas. There, he
called the assembly to order and, after permanent organization,
moved that a committee of five be appointed to write a declaration
of independence. The document reported out by the committee was
written by Childress.

Coleto, Battle of Fought March 19-20, 1836, this battle was the
culmination of the Goliad campaign. James W. Fannin and some 400
men from Goliad were falling back toward Guadalupe Victoria when
they were attacked by Urrea’s men near Coleto Creek. Although the
Texans countered three attacks, they were forced to surrender when
their water supplies ran out and Urrea’s main army arrived on the
March 20.

Collinsworth, George Morse Collinsworth raised a company of 52 men
from Matagorda, and, along with additional troops under Ben Milam,
took Goliad on October 9, 1835. He was in command at Goliad until
November 18. The General Council appointed him collector of
customs for the port of Matagorda on December 10, 1835.

Collinsworth, James The General Council elected Collinsworth captain
of the Texas Regiment of Infantry (probably never organized). He
represented Brazoria in the Convention of 1836, where he nominated
Sam Houston for commander-in-chief. In the army, he assisted the
families fleeing in the Runaway Scrape. He was made a major and
appointed an aide-de-camp to Houston on April 8. His conduct in
the battle of San Jacinto was commended by both Houston and Thomas
J. Rusk in their reports.

Committee on Military Affairs Created by the General Council, the
Committee on Military Affairs, through its recommendations and its
immediate supervision of military matters, did much to influence
the conduct of the war from November 1835 through January 1836.
Its members included Wyatt Hanks, J. D. Clements, and R. R. Royal.

Committees of Safety and Correspondence On May 8, 1835, Mina organized
a Committee of Safety and Correspondence, and Gonzales and Viesca
followed suit a few days later. By the end of the summer, most
communities in Texas had such organizations. Their purpose was to
keep people in touch with developments that affected the
Revolution.

Concepcion, Battle of James Bowie and James W. Fannin, with a
detachment of 90 men were scouting for a secure campground when,
on October 28, they were attacked by a Mexican cavalry force about
a mile from Concepcion Mission. The battle lasted some thirty
minutes, ending when the main body of the Texan army joined the
fight. The army took over the mission grounds for a campsite.

Consultation Called for October 16, 1836, at San Felipe de Austin, the
Consultation failed to convene a quorum until November 3. Although
sharply divided between the “war hawks” and the “peace doves,” the
body issued its “Declaration of November 7, 1835,” stating that
the war’s aim was to restore the Mexican Constitution of 1824 and
to make Texas an independent state within the Mexican
Confederation. Sam Houston was made commander-in-chief of the
regular army, a government was set up, authorized by the Organic
Law, and three commissioners were sent to the United States to
seek money and soldiers. The Consultation adjourned on November
14.

Convention of 1836 The General Council, over Governor Smith’s veto,
called for a Convention to assemble at Washington-on-the-Brazos on
March 1, 1836. The Convention adopted a declaration of
independence, wrote a constitution, and elected a provisional
government before adjourning hastily on March 17.

Cos, Martin Perfecto de Cos was Santa Anna’s brother-in-law, sent to
Texas in September 1835 to investigate the colonists’ refusal to
pay duties at Anahuac. Cos landed 500 men at Matagorda Bay and
then established headquarters at San Antonio. He intended to expel
all who had come to Texas since 1830 and anyone opposed to Santa
Anna. Forced to surrender San Antonio on December 10, Cos and his
men were allowed to return to Mexico on their pledge never to take
up arms against Texas again. However, Cos returned, commanding a
column at the assault on the Alamo. He crossed Vince’s Bridge with
reinforcements for Santa Anna just before Deaf Smith destroyed the
bridge on April 21, 1836. He was captured after the battle of San
Jacinto.

Crockett, David He came to Texas “to fight for his rights.” Crockett
and some of his “Tennessee boys” joined William B. Travis at the
Alamo, where he and his men were killed. Contemporary reports from
both Texan and Mexican sources claim that Crockett survived the
assault on the Alamo, only to be executed on Santa Anna’s order.

Cuellar, Jesus “Comanche” Cuellar served as a guide for Ugartechea in
November 1835 and fought under Cos during the siege of Bexar. He
deserted the Mexican forces, reported to Edward Burleson the
weaknesses in the defenses, and guided the Texans into San
Antonio. He joined James Grant for the proposed Matamoros
Expedition, but attached himself to James W. Fannin’s command at
Goliad. He devised a plan for defeating Urrea’s army, but Fannin
was unable to put it into effect. Cuellar was sent to Refugio to
warn Ward of Mexican army operations, and from there he joined the
Texas Army.