Ramos Tribe Adventures: Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!

October 9, 1835 Texas colonist captured the town and fort at Goliad. This was the 1st offensive action of what would become the Texas Revolution. Texans were tired of Mexican Dictator general Santa Anna reign of tyranny. On December 20th 1835 at the chapel of Presidio, Texans wrote out their first Declaration of Independence. 92 people signed the document, pledging their support of the Independence of Texas. At the time the Bloody Arm flag became the symbol of the Texans, with the statement that no matter the sacrifice, we support this. Thus beginning the quest for independence from Mexico.

The dictator of Mexico, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, refused to allow the rebellious Texans to become independent, started to march his army north to Texas. On February 23 Santa Anna arrived in San Antonio, at a small mission called the Alamo where William Travis and James Bowie were leading the all volunteer army. After 13 days of holding position at the little mission, Texans waited for reinforcements, while Santa Anna's army grew in size. On March 6 the Battle of the Alamo began with the defeat of the small Texas army against thousands of Mexicans. Santa Anna lost about 600 men to the 100 men at the Alamo.

While Santa Anna battled for the Alamo, his general Jose de Urrea crossed the Rio Grande with the mission to capture Goliad back. On March 20th Colonel James Walker Fannin, commander at Goliad with his men put up a fight against the Mexican army at the Battle of Coleto Creek. But because of such a large Mexican army, the Texans surrendered. After writing up the terms and conditions of the surrender, the Texans were taken to the chapel of Presidio. They were held for a week and were told they would be released, but when Santa Anna heard of their surrender, he ordered them shot. So on Palm Sunday, March 27, the men were taken outside the chapel and shot to death. Because of the massacre, Goliad became the most deadliest day in the quest for Texas Independence.

With the battles of the Alamo and Goliad, Texas was able to hold off the Mexican army for enough time for Sam Houston and the Independence Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos, to draw up the final declaration of Independence. After this Sam Houston was busy trying to gather troops to go up against the giant Mexican army. When Susanna Dickinson, wife of one of the men killed at Goliad, told of the massacre, Sam Houston drew his army back across Texas. Many thought he was retreating and questioned his leadership abilities. Because Texans appeared to be retreating, Santa Anna believed he won, but his other officers suggested that they continue to press the Texans till Houston could be captured. So they began a trek across Texas in pursue of Houston and the Texas army. Houston, knowing that Santa Anna would not retreat till Texas was defeated, he began marching his army to San Jacinto, while Santa Anna marched that direction too.

On April 19th both Houston and Santa Anna arrived at San Jacinto. Houston dug in ready for battle. Santa Anna waited for his reinforcements to arrive. He wanted attack on the 22nd. When his reinforcements arrived the Mexican army was about 1400 men strong. The Texas army only about 900 men. Houston waited for his opportunity. With such a big army and thinking the Texans were on the defensive, Santa Anna made the biggest mistake of his life. He allowed his men to take a rest. Houston, in the forest near by, watched. Knowing there was no turning back he got his men together on April 21, burned the Vince's Bridge, with retreat NOT an option. Houston then gave the order to get ready to attack. The Texas army quietly came out of the trees and crossed the grassy field and attacked! With the new battle cry " REMEMBER THE ALAMO! REMEMBER GOLIAD!" the Texas army attacked the Mexican army. Overwhelmed by the boldness of such a small army, the Mexicans lost a battle that lasted only 18 minutes. 700 Mexicans were killed, 230 injured and more then 700 men were captured, while Texans lost only 9 men died! Santa Anna escaped but was later discovered hiding among his army prisoners. On May 14th, 1836, Santa Anna was forced to sign the Treaties of Velasco, which declared Texas their Independent country separate from Mexico, making the Rio Grande the country line. TEXAS WAS FREE!

While on our trip in Texas, we drove A LOT!! But during those drives the boys and I got to see some of Texas' great history. Kaden loved it. We got to go to Goliad and the Chapel of Presidio and the Alamo. He really enjoyed playing the Texans and fighting off the vicious Santa Anna's army. Being a History minor in college, I enjoyed the history of it all! Such a great sacrifice made in that war! I am glad that history was preserved and we got to enjoy it! Though I didn't have any pictures of our trip to the Alamo, I do haave some of Goliad. Here some are!

The Fort and Chapel