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Ugartechea, Domingo deMilitary commandant of Coahuila and Texas, he was put in charge of the forces at San Antonio in 1835. He ordered Lt. Francisco Castaneda to attempt to reclaim the cannon at Gonzales, thus setting off the organized resistance of the Texan colonists. He arrived in San Antonio with reinforcements for General Cos on December 9, just in time to take part in the surrender of the city. He retreated with Cos’s army to Laredo.
Urrea, JoseOn January 2, 1836, Santa Anna ordered Urrea to march to Matamoros to prevent the expected invasion by Texans. On February 18, Urrea left Matamoros and forced marched to San Patricio. There he surprised F. W. Johnson and his men at San Patricio on February 27, killing all but a handful. He attacked and defeated James Grant at Agua Dulce on March 2, then began the advance to Goliad on March 12. He attacked the mission at Refugio on March 14, occupying it on the following day. He laid siege to Goliad from March 16 to 20, finally defeating James Fannin at Coleto Creek on March 20. Urrea continued his march, capturing Texans at Victoria and on the Guadalupe River on March 21. On March 22 he captured the 100-man unit led by William Ward. Units under his command captured W. P. Miller and his men when they landed at Copano Bay. Urrea captured Matagordo on April 13, Columbia on the 21, and Brazoria on the 22. He was preparing to invade Velasco when ordered to retreat. Urrea strongly opposed executing the Goliad prisoners. The March 27 Massacre was carried out by Nicolas de la Portilla in obedience to Santa Anna’s orders.
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Velasco, Treaties ofTwo treaties, one public, the other secret, were signed by Santa Anna and interim president David G. Burnet on May 14, 1836. In the public treaty, Santa Anna agreed to cease all hostilities against Texas, then and in the future. Mexican troops would be withdrawn south of the Rio Grande, confiscated property would be restored to the Texan owners, and prisoners would be exchanged. Texas agreed to return Santa Anna to Mexico as soon as possible, and Texas army units would approach no nearer than five leagues to the retreating Mexican army. In the secret treaty, Santa Anna agreed to secure Mexican recognition of Texas independence and a permanent end to the war. The Mexican cabinet would receive a Texas mission to conclude a treaty of commerce and limits, Texas boundaries to extend no further south than the Rio Grande. Although the Mexican retreat was begun almost immediately, the Texas Army refused to allow Santa Anna’s return to Mexico. On May 20, the Mexican government declared all Santa Anna’s acts as a captive to be null and void.
VictoriaUrrea’s army, marching east after the battle of Coleto Creek, captured Victoria on March 21, a few hours after it had been burned by the Texans.
Viesca, AgustinFormer governor of Coahuila and Texas, Viesca arrived at Goliad on November 11, 1835. His ill treatment by Phillip Dimmitt led Viesca to protest to Texan leaders, particularly to Stephen F. Austin. The affair at Goliad threatened to upset all Mexican support for the revolution.
Vince’s BridgeCrossing Vince’s Bayou, the bridge was the only viable crossing at that point on the San Jacinto River. Erastus (Deaf) Smith secretly destroyed the bridge on the morning of April 21, at Houston’s orders, and all retreat for either Texan or Mexican army was cut off.
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Ward, Thomas WilliamWard joined the New Orleans Greys in 1835 and was at the siege of Bexar. On the day Milam was killed, Ward’s right leg was shot off by cannon fire. He returned to New Orleans and recruited a company of volunteers.