Gonzales, Battle ofAn engagement fought four miles above Gonzales, the battle took place on October 2, 1835. When, in the latter part of September, Domingo de Ugartechea demanded the city surrender its cannon, the colonists refused. They buried the cannon in George W. Davis’s peach orchard on September 29. When the men under Francisco Castaneda marched on the town, the colonists dug up the cannon, mounted it, and fired the first shot of the Revolution. When the Mexican army learned that the unit sent to capture the cannon was taken prisoner, it stopped west of the Guadalupe.
Gonzales, Jose MariaA federalist colonel, Gonzales escorted former governor Agustin Viesca in his flight to Texas. In San Antonio, Gonzales issued a proclamation calling on Mexicans to support the Texan cause and to restore the Constitution of 1824. In January, he led a force against the Mexican town of Mier. Urrea marched to intercept the army, and, although he captured 24 federalist rebels on January 22, Gonzales and the rest made their escape. The captives were used as guides and scouts for Urrea’s army as they marched through Texas.
Grant, JamesDr. Grant joined the siege of Bexar. He was elected the Goliad representative to the consultation, but remained in the field during that body’s deliberations. In early spring 1836, Grant and F. W. Johnson organized a Matamoros Expedition and proceeded as far as San Patricio. Grant and a party of 15 volunteers were attacked at Agua Dulce Creek on March 2. Grant was killed, and most of his men who escaped were taken prisoner and marched to Goliad where they were executed on March 27.
Grass FightOn the afternoon of November 26, James Bowie with about 100 men attacked a pack train believed to be carrying supplies and pay for the Mexican troops in San Antonio. The engagement took place about a mile from San Antonio. Seeing the battle in progress, Cos began firing from the Alamo. Bowie’s detachment was joined by the main army. The Mexicans eventually retreated to San Antonio. The packs, when opened, were found to contain only grass for the Mexican cavalry horses.
Groce’s LandingLocated on the site of the Bernardo Plantation at the Maelina or Coushatta Crossing of the Brazos in present-day Waller County. Leonard H. Groce was operating the plantation at the outbreak of the Revolution. The Texas Army camped there on the west bank of the river, one-half mile from the ferry, from March 31 to April 14, 1836.
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Hall, Warren D. C.Hall was a member of the Committee of Safety at Columbia. David G. Burnet appointed him adjutant general, and he served as secretary of war while Thomas J. Rusk was in the field with the Texas army.
Hannah ElizabethOn November 19, 1835, the American schooner Hannah Elizabeth was attacked by the Mexican armed vessel Bravo. On November 21, the Texan privateer William Robbins, which had received letters of marque and reprisal from the Texas government, landed 20 volunteers, the captain and 3 crew members. They took the Hannah Elizabeth from the Mexican captors. Considering the ship as salvage, the Texans eventually sold its cargo at auction, an action which led to considerable criticism from other Texans as well as protests from the United States.
HarrisburgThe General Council designated Harrisburg as the seat of government for the newly-created Municipality of Harrisburg. On April 16 Santa Anna burned the entire town, leaving only John W. Moore’s residence standing.
Horton, Albert ClintonHorton came to Texas with the Mobile Grays in late December 1835. In the spring, Horton raised a cavalry unit to go to James W. Fannin’s relief. They arrived at Goliad on March 16, and on March 17, the unit fought a brief skirmish with Urrea’s troops. His men were sent out to investigate the crossing at Coleto Creek on March 19, but when they returned, they found Fannin already surrounded by Urrea’s forces. Horton fell back, seeing the hopelessness of rendering any practical aid to Fannin.