Texas Almanac, 1954-1955 Page: 55
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1RIEF HISTORY OF TEXAS
.. .Barker Texas History Center, U. of T.
The Alamo, "Cradle of Texas Liberty." The Cenotaph erected by the Centennial Com-
mission in 1936 stands in the right foreground, the museum in the upper left background.the Anglo-American colonists. He had
opposed the Fredonian Rebellion. He
had been influential on behalf of Mexico
during the unrest of 1832 and had always
been sincerely desirous of effecting a
settlement that would establish Texas as
a permanent member of the Mexican fed-
eration of states.
New Difficulties.
When early in 1835, Santa Anna sent a
company of soldiers to Anahuac to assist
in the collection of duties, a force of colo-
nists under William Barret Travis
marched on the town and forced the
Mexicans to surrender their arms and
leave for San Antonio. As a result, Gen.
Martin Perfect de Cos, brother-in-law of
Santa Anna and commander of northern
Mexico, ordered the arrest of Travis and
several others. It was at this juncture
that Austin returned from Mexico and
announced that he had become convinced
that war was Texas' only recourse.
A military force was established over
Texas-Coahuila by President Santa Anna,
under command of Col. Domingo de Ugar-
techea at San Antonio.
First Battle of Revolution.
Colonel Ugartechea sent a company to
Gonzales to take possession of a cannon,
but the Mexicans were attacked by the
Texans and defeated, Oct. 2, 1835. The
news of this battle spread and volunteers
poured into Gonzales. It was in this bat-
tle that the Texans used the famous flag
bearing the words, "Come and Take It,"
referring to the cannon which the Mexi-
cans had demanded. Although there had
been several prior skirmishes, the Battle
of Gonzales is usually considered the first
battle of the Texas Revolution.
On Oct. 9, a small band of volunteers
had surprised the Mexican garrison at
Goliad and captured a store of military
supplies.It was decided to march from Gonzales
against San Antonio. Stephen F. Austin
was elected commander-in-chief. A de-
tachment of Austin's army had a light
engagement with Mexican cavalry at M is-
sion Concepcion Oct. 28, and on Nov. 26
the so-called "grass fight" occurred south
of San Antonio. This skirmish was oc-
casioned by the rumor that an approach-
ing burro train carried silver for the pay
of the Mexican garrison at San Antonio,
but when captured the burros' burden
proved to be hay destined for consump-
tion by Ugartechea's cavalry horses. A
gathering force of Texans besieged San
Antonio.
Provisional Government Formed.
A provisional Texas government was
formed by a gathering of Texans at San
Felipe beginning Nov. 3, 1835. An ex-
tended debate resulted in a vote not to
declare Texas independent of Mexico, but
to declare for the Constitution of 1824,
which Santa Anna had set aside.
Stephen F. Austin, Branch T. Archer
and William H. Wharton were chosen to
go to Washington to ask aid of the United
States. This withdrew Austin from com-
mand of the army which was besieging
San Antonio and Gen. Edward Burleson
was placed in command there by an elec-
tion. Henry Smith was elected provisional
Governor of Texas and a council was or-
ganized. While Burleson had been chosen
to lead the army at San Antonio, Gen.
Sam Houston was named by the gather-
ing at San Felipe as Commander in Chief
to succeed Austin.
Capture of San Antonio.
At San Antonio the siege dragged and
preparations were being made to abandon
it when Col. Ben Milam asked for volun-
teers to attack the fort, organized about
300 men and, after fighting from Dec. 5
to Dec. 9, 1835, forced General Cos, whoFIRST NATIONAL BANK in Dlas
"Give us an opportunity to say ,.s" MEMBER F. D. I. C.
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Texas Almanac, 1954-1955, book, 1953; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117168/m1/57/?q=waco+tornado: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.