NOTES
Texas Revolution
1. List in order the events that led to the Battle of
Gonzales?
- Gonzales cannon recalled
- The Mexican army’s demand that
the cannon be surrendered
- Texans call for reinforcement
3. Why did the Grass Fight take place and what was the
result?
Texas troops believed that a
Mexican supply train was carrying
silver, so they attacked the train.
They found only grass for the
horses.
2. How did geographic factors such as landforms affect
Texans preparing to lay siege to San Antonio?
The riverbank helped the Texans
4. What was the outcome of the siege of San Antonio?
Texans defeated the Mexican
forces at San Antonio. Cos
surrendered, and Mexican troops
left Texas.
Causes
• Santa Anna’s failure to follow the Constitution of 1824
• rising tensions between Texans and the Mexican government
• demand that U.S. settlers at Gonzales hand over their cannon
Battle of Gonzales,
October 2, 1835
Effects
• Texas rebel victory
• started a war between Texas and the Mexican government from
which Texans could not turn back
• increased the resolution and confidence of the Texas rebels
Early Battles
Battle of Gonzales
Date: October 2nd, 1835
Major People involved: Texan/US Settlers and
Mexican Troops
Purpose of Battle: Santa Anna’s failure to follow the
constitution of 1824
-Battle broke out when Texans refused to
surrender their cannon to the Mexican forces
Outcome (who won): Texas
Effects of battle: Texas rebel victory; starting point for
the war; increase the confidence of the Texas Rebels
Early Battles
Capture of Goliad
Date: October 10, 1835
Major People involved: Martin perfecto de
Cos, George Collinsworth, Ben Milam
Purpose of Battle: Attack the Mexican
garrison because there was fewer than 30
people there
Outcome (who won): Texans
Effects of battle: After this victory more
people joined the rebel army
Early Battles
Grass Fight
Date: Nov 26
Major People involved: Stephen F. Austin,
Edward Burleson
Purpose of Battle: Cut off supply routes
Outcome (who won): Although the Texans were
disappointed, some realized the siege worked.
About the battle: Rumor spread through the
Texas camp that 100 Mexican soldiers were
carrying silver. 100 infantry troops ambushed the
Mexicans only to find bags of grass.
Early Battles
Capture/Battle of San Antonio
Date: December 4-5
Major People involved: Ben Milam, Francis W.
Johnson
Purpose of Battle: Force the Mexican troops out
of Texas
Outcome (who won): Texans; Dec 10th the two
sides agreed to Cos’s surrender
Effects of battle: By December 9th the Mexican
forces had been pushed out of the center of San
Antonio, forcing Cos’s surrender
Early Conflicts
of the Texas
Revolution,
1835
Consultation of 1835
PRO WAR
Wanted to declare
Texas Independence
from Mexico
PRO PEACE
Wanted to remain loyal to
Mexico and wanted the
Const. of 1824 to be
restored.
Declaration of November 7, 1835
Pledged loyalty to Mexico, explained that Texans
had used force only for defense and warned that if
Mexico did not restore the Constitution… Texas
would declare independence
The Provisional Government
Governor- Henry Smith
He was a member of the Pro War faction
Three Commissioners:
Stephen F Austin, William H
Wharton and Branch T
Archer
Lieutenant GovernorJames Robinson
Commander and Chief of
Army- Sam Houston
Main Goals- Recruit
volunteers and raise money
General Council:
1. Estabished a Military Navy to protect the Texas ports and waterways
2. Scheduled a Convention to be held on March 1, 1836
Overall, the Provisional Government was ineffective and had poor leadership
Battle of the Alamo
Main Players
Davy Crockett:- A US Congressman from Tennessee who came as a volunteer.
Helped fight for and defend the Alamo. Lost his life in the battle.
James Bowie:- Was sent by Sam Houston to destroy the Alamo but later helped to
defend the old mission as the Commander of the Volunteer Militia. Lost his life in
the battle.
William B Travis:- Was a leader of the forces who defended the Alamo. He wrote
the famous “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World”- a plea for
aid and reinforcements as the Mexican Army was advancing.
James Bonham:- A Volunteer from Alabama who also lost his life in the Alamo- He
left at one point to get help only to return for the Fall of the Alamo
Susanna Dickenson:- A noncombatant who was spared by Santa Anna. She was
sent by Santa Anna with a message to Sam Houston regarding the future fate of
Texas.
Battle of the Alamo
Before The Seige
How were the Texans prepared for the advancement of
the Mexican Army?
- They built up the mission walls, placed cannons around
the Alamo. Stocked up on food and weaponry…
Why protect “The Alamo”?
- It was decided that the artillery and weapons housed in
the Alamo were too valuable to destroy.
Battle of the Alamo
The Seige and the Fall
Date: Feb. 23 –March 6, 1836 (13 days)
Major People Involved: TX--- William B. Travis, Davy
Crockett, James Bowie; MX --- Santa Anna
• March 5th – Travis’ Line in the Sand incident involving
Louis Rose leaving the Alamo
• March 6th – final assault in the early morning hours
Outcome: TX lost; Mexico won; all Texans killed (183
men); Santa Anna sends Susanna Dickinson to Sam
Houston with fate of Texans at the Alamo message
Effects: Runaway Scrape begins; Sam Houston and TX
army retreated eastward towards the US; determined
to defeat Santa Anna; Battle cry: Remember the
Alamo!
Convention of 1836
@ Washington-on-the-Brazos
President (of the Convention) :
Richard Ellis
Delegates: Sam Houston,
Lorenzo de Zavala,
George Childress
Results:
• Created the Declaration of
Independence
• Created the Constitution of
1836
• Set up a Ad Interim Govt.
The Constitution of 1836
• Legalized slavery in Texas
• Based on the US Constitution and included Bill of Rights
( Freedom of Religion- Freedom of the Press- Freedom of Speech- Trial by Jury)
Ad Interim Government
During the Convention- a temporary government was assigned
until elections could be held
President: David G Burnet
Vice President: Lorenzo de Zavala
Branches of Government
Legislative- create the laws and also known as the congress
Executive- enforces/carries out the laws and led by the President
Judicial- provides a court system
Later Battles/Events
Runaway Scrape
Date: March 11th
Major People involved: Sam Houston and Texans
Causes:
• Sam Houston and others learn of the fall of the
Alamo
• A larger Mexican force is advancing on a smaller
Texas force,
• Houston orders forces to retreat and burn
Gonzales.
• Fear spreads across Texas and civilians flee
Capture of Santa Anna by William H Huddle
Later Battles/Events
Battle at Coleto Creek
Date: March 19th
Major People involved: Gen. James Fannin
(Texas), General Urrea (Mexico)
Purpose of Battle: Texas troops stopped in a
prairie and were surrounded by Mexican
troops.
Outcome (who won): Texans surrendered
Effects of battle: most Texas rebels were march
back to Goliad; led to Goliad Massacre
Capture of Santa Anna by William H Huddle
Later Battles/Events
Goliad Massacre
Date: March 27th
Major People involved: Fannin’s troops and
soldiers captured outside of Victoria
Purpose of Battle: Mexican soldiers executed
more than 400 Texans after the battle of Coleto
Creek.
Outcome Few Texans escaped
Effects of battle: Francita Alavez (who was
traveling with the Mexican Troops) helped some
escape and is known as the Angel of Goliad
Capture of Santa Anna by William H Huddle
Later Battles/Events
Battle of San Jacinto
Date: April 20th-21st
Major People involved: Santa Anna, Sam
Houston, Mirabeau B. Lamar
Purpose of Battle: Independence; The Texans
took the Mexican army by surprise
Outcome (who won): Texans- won their
independence
Effects of battle: Texans- won their
independence the battle Lasted 18 minutes
Capture of Santa Anna- Treaty of Velasco
Capture of Santa Anna by William H Huddle