Talk:Texas Revolution/winders

Winders, Richard Bruce (2004), Sacrificed at the Alamo: Tragedy and Triumph in the Texas Revolution, Military History of Texas Series: Number Three, Abilene, TX: State House Press, ISBN 1880510804

p 11 modern discussion has been concerned with details - how did Crockett die, how many messengers did Travis send, etc. some may never be answerable that is more micro history

p 15 "The Texas Revolution is best understood as an episode that occurred within the context of a larger ongoing Mexican civil war"

late 18th/early 19th century full of revolutions - American, French Spain's colonies revolted too

p 19 Iturbide's Plan of the Iguala intended to have Mexico as a separate monarchy couldn't find any European nobleman to take the spot, so Agustin because emperor, by force

he 'had set an important precedent; the force of arms was an effective method to change gov't"

with Agustin gone, gederalists took power and constructed a cgovt based loosely on that of US 18 states and 4 territories with national congress

first president, Guadalupe Victoria, uneventful then military overturned results of next election by Vicente Guerrero his VP, Bustamante, then overthre him - Bustamante more conservative

p 20 so in 1832 Santa Anna led a revolt to overthrow him and restore the previously elected president SA then elected but retired and let his VP, a very liberal federalist run things then SA overthrew him, became president in truth, and did away with Cost of 1824

p 23 empresarios could get 12.5 cents per acre as administrative fee from each colonist they settled

p 24 many legal immigrants (through empresario contracts) did not agree with Laws of April 6, but did not protesxt too much there were a lot of people who had come illegally though, and they were very unhappy

not just an American colonist revolt - many Tejanos also fought - part of larger Mexican civil war

p 35 "Indian raids and other local emergencies required quick action that could not wait for the mobilization of the established military bureaucracy"

like other frontier areas, Texans would "gather[...] together to form an ad hoc expedition to defend, punish, or attack" democratic units who elected their own commanders and any officers once done with their goal, they disbanded and went home

p 36 each member usually provided own weapons, horse, etc

p 37 military discipline nonexistant - very democratic and men would often question their leaders

also had ranging companies men who volunteered for longer service

p 41 SFA created a militia for his colony in 1824 "after being granted a lieutenant colonel's commission by the MExican government" battalion of 5 companies (all his colonists) regularly held musters

p 44 Centralist overthrow of govt - Plan of Cuernavaca - made federalists mad Federalists support was higher in areas further from MExico City - isolation had made those states self-reliant and they didn't want ot be governed more from Mexico City

Zacatecas was first state to be subdued

p 45 trying to get Zacatecas to disband its militia Santa Anna commanded the expedition

p p47 hostilities in Texas predated plan of Cuernavaca started with anger that Texas was not its own state

p 48 instead, it was a department within Coahuila besides losing political autonomy, residents thought they were now at an economic disadvantage

p 49 Oct 1832 colonists held a meeting 55 delegates met at San Felipe to prepare a petition to federal govt -renew tax exemptions - allow immigration from US -grant land titles more quickly -separate statehood

SFA thought matters moving too fast (most Tejanos agreed)

Most agreed with the goals, but neither Spain nor Mexico traditionally allowed this type of activism

Since SFA disapproved, not much happened

April 1833 was another meeting (also San Felipe) Austin pressed to develiver the petition group also drafted a state constitution just in case Ban on immigration modified, no success on statehood wrote a strong letter encouraging his supported in Texas to continue with statehood plan Officials in Bexar sent the letter back to Mexico City, and Austin arrested and jailed for over a year

p 50 summer 1835 colonists again angry about customs at ANahuac new commander, Capt Antonio Tenorio, instructed to collect taxes from merchants who imported goods

merchant Andrew Briscoe said Tenorio didn't have authority and was jailed June 12 Travis gathered a group of armed men and marched on Anahuac

June 20, Tenorio surrendered and he and his soldiers went to San Felipe

p 51 colonists angry with Travis soldiers publicly feted in San Felipe Travis issued a sort-of apology

April 14, Agustin Viesca became governor he was a federalist supporter state legislature disbanded next week under orders from Cos before leaving, Viesca got approval to move the capital to any place he wanted - he said Bexar and tried to take the archives captured June 8 and imprisoned at Monterrey Cos now in charge of Coahuila y Tejas orders to strengthen garrison numbers in Texas and to arrest troublemakers like Travis and Lorenzo de Zavala, who was not living in Texas Texans worried that centralists about to establish a military govt in Texas

p 53 colonists formed committies of public safety Santa Anna released SFA (hoped he would calm the colonists) Austin found that colonists divided into War Party and Peace Party - peace party believed that if any military action were taken against centralists, it must need support of federalists outside Texas (not just a Texas or Anglo issue) Austin had been a member of the peace party, but changed his mind during imprisonment "Austin's shift mirrored a growing militancy in Texas that made war with the Centralists almost inevitable"

one colonist echoed opinion of many when wrote "Ours is not a rebellious or revolutionary or voluntary warfare. It has been forced upon us."

p 54 colonists learned in late August that Cos on his way to reinforce Bexar garrison while worried about this, learned that Ugartechea wanted the cannon back officially, this was part of Centralist plan to reduce militia size unofficially, why leave weapons with people who are already on the verge of armed uprising?

Gonzales was minor military engagement

Oct 4, Austin reported to San Felipe Committee of Public Safter, "War is declared - public opinion has proclaimed it against a Military despotism-The campaign hass commenced-The Military have advanced to Gonzales-Gen Cos has arrived and threatens to overrun the country" continued "one spirit and one purpose animates the people of this part of the country, and that is to take Be'xar, and drive hte Military out of Texas"

p 55 Colonists soon begane to flock to Gonzales at Gonzales, organized into Army of the People Austin elected unanimously oct 11, he issued his first order - appointed staff officers and ready to move out at 9 am following day among orders: "the Commander in chief deems it his duty to remind each citizen soldier that patriotism and firmness will but little avail, without discipline and strict obediance. The first duty of a soldier is obediance."

p 56 Crossed Guadalupe on Oct 12 but didn't start for Bexar until 14 in middle, elected field officers had about 300 men at the time John H. Moore elcted colonel Edward Burleson (reputation as Indian fighter) lt col Alexander Somerville major Ben Milan named capt of a spy company - he had lived in Texas longer than most

men ordered not to fire e while on the march, and to keep weapons in good repair at all times

"All riotous conduct and noisy clamorous talk is specially prohibited"

army all colonists who had volunteered

Oct 16 reached Cibolo Creek, severa miles east of Bexar sent Cos a message asking for a meeting

p 57 Cos said no - Austin at head of illegal force

Austin had described himself as commander of the Division of the Federal ARmy of Texas; Cos corrected that no, that is me and my army

Cos and his men were fortifying the town since they had learned of La Bahia capture

Austin held a council of war, and they decided to wait for reinforcements reversed their decision the next day (oct 17), so Austin moved to Salado Creek, 5 mi from Bexar over next few days reinforcements and supplies came from Gonzales, Goliad, Nacogdoches and other settlements

Austin ordered Bowie and Fannin to scout the missions to find food and info Juan Seguin - local resident - appointed Capt and asked to form a company of Tejanos from local ranches

p 58 Oct 24, Austin told Committee of Public Safety that he had "'commenced the investment of San Antonio" and thought if could be taken in a few days if got reinforcements soon

skirmishes every day since Oct 17 several Mexicans deserted and joined the Texans seguin said the townspeople were Federalists, so Austin thought they would help out Travis arrieve, made a lt, and told to raise a cavalry company

p 59 several small victories after Concepcion - travis's men captured a horse herd that had been pastured far from the city most animals were unserviceable, but now Cos couldn't use them for anything Frass Fight

in Nove, General Jose Antonio Mexia (an exiled Federalist) attempted to take Tampico in Tamaulipas state

p 60 Mexia had about 150 volunteers (most American)and sailed to Tampico the volunteers thought they were going to Brazoria, but informed while on ship that were actually trying to take port of Tampico arrived during a storm and the ship went aground, spoiling much of the ammunition

advanced on night of Nov 15 but driven off by stronger-than-expected centralist resistance Mexia and the survivors sailed to Texas 31 men captured - Santa Anna ordered them executed as pirates

p 61 Nov 18, Austin got word that he should go to US to attract support for the revolution He accepted by responded "Some prudence will be necessary to keep this army together should I leave at once"

Nov 21, Austin issued orders for an attack - wanted to finish what he had started officers said nope

before Austin left (Nov 24 he left), canvass of troops to see who would maintain the siege - 405 said yes

p 62 "Burleson inherited what amounted to a collection of independent companies instead of a unified campaign"

p 64 entered city using 2 different streets that both led to central plaza

Dec 8, Cos got 650 reinforcements, but most were untrained and were just a drain on the low food supplies

p 68 originally, army made up of companies that were formed in local communities, usually after a call from a local leader/respected man no specific term of service - task designated although Austin elected first overall leader, men also insisted on councils of war, so that the officers could discuss what they wanted - check and balance

earlier in the summer, the colonists had elected delgates to the consultation - to discuss what Texans should do next

supposed to be held in Gonzales, and ppl started gathering in mid-October now war had broken out though

p 69 the army demanded that the delegates come with them, so consultation rescheduled for San Felipe for Nov 1 quorum finally formed on nov 3

immediately started bickering over why they were fighting - PEace party said restore federalist republic (const of 1824); war party said independence

Nov 7, COnsultation proclaimed that they were fighting for the cosntitution of 1824, but also said Texas could have an independent govt as long as the federal system not in place passes 33-14 hoped to gain support of federalists in Mexico and US cits

many of peace party delegates, like Austin, still in Bexar and didn't get a vote

p 70 Nov 13, established a military, a regular army commander to be appointed by the convention and subject to governor's orders

p 71 Nov 12, delegates elected Sam Houston the major general of Texas and told him to raise an army Consultation said couldn't take over the Army of the People, because they were volunteers who had organized before the consultation met; unfair to force them to bow to orders of the govt

p 72 Austin nominated as governor, but lost 31-22 he was then selected one of 3 delegates to US - with branch T. Archer and William H. Wharton

p 73 after his election, Houston began writing letters to his friends serving in the siege - although he did not have any authority, he made his views clear - fall back to Goliad or Gonzales and return in the spring

p 74 during the siege, Houston had said "It is probably that San ANtonio will soon fall [to the Texians - per me]; but if she does not for the present, it is not important to Texas"

Houston thought the regular army needed 5000 troops -rumors that SA was bringing a lot of me

p 75 council began appointing officers in late Novemeber

p 76 Nov 15, Council decided not to issue officer commissions unil they had talked to some of the more active people in the revolution thus far "the move was apparently initiated to determine whether the volunteers should stay in place or withdraw to gonzales, but it opened the door for intrigue and personal projects that interfered and even competed with the organization of the regular army"

letters from Travis and Fannin

p 77 both men said more troops would be needed Dec 5, Council created Corps of PErmanent Volunteers - confused everyone

p 78 people thought no reason to join the regular army if they could join the permanent volunteers

Smith didn't believe that Mexican Federalists would make good allies General council authorized aid to Mexia after his failed campaign to take TAmpico, but Smith refused to sign it - told council, "I consider it bad policy to fit out, or trust MExicans in any manner connected with our goverment, as I am well satisfied that we will in the end find them inimical [e.g. hostile] and treacherous"

the council also liked the idea of a Matamoros expedition - would "aid the larger Federalist cause by mounting a military campaign that would broaden the front" they had gotten reports that other states were on verge of revolt

Dec 25, the Military Committee recommended a Matamoros Expedition

p 79 because a) thought troops would cause trouble if not put to work b) capture of Matamoros meant Centralists couldn't use it as staging ground to attack Texas c) it was a port city, and the Texas govt could take the fees collected d) would gave Texas command of Gulf of MExico from there to NO

Smith initially support, telling Houston Dec 17 to figure out what needed to be done for such an expedition Houston that day told Bowie to work out a plan and raise men to head there

Bowie didn't get message for several weeks - so Council thought governor not serious about helping this plan

Council wanted to give this to Mexia, who had offered his services, but they decided against it passed over PHilip Dimmitt, even though his idea Dec 15, they asked Burleson to oversee it using his volunteers at Bexar

p 80 Burleson had already written to Smith that he was quitting and giving command to Johnson

so Johnson got hte message, not Burleson Jan 3, Jonhnson wrote the council that he had received the note to Burleson and had initiated the expedition

Dec 30 many of the volunteers left Bexar for Goliad left 100 men with Neill at the Alamo

when Council got the note, they voted to make Johnson the commander he was in a dispute with council over status of his volunteers and initially declined, but sent a note the next day changing his mind

but they thought he didn't want to do it and appointed Fannin to lead the expedition but didn't revoke Johnson's commission, so both men had authority to raise men and go to Matamoros

p 87 1831 survey found Bexar population of 1634 San Felipe had 5,665 at same time even though much, much younger both cities had agriculture as primary occupation, although in San Felipe, also lawyers, printers, and slaves (These categories not found in Bexar)

p 88 Houston still working on his place for the army Dec 15 wrote that was needed before a spring campaign could begin wanted to have soom troops in Bexar, including an engineer La Bahia needed 50-100 men Copano needed to be protected by holding either Refugio or San PAtricio

Dec 20, he sent Fannin to Matagorda to take over La Bahia

p 89 The 200 men Johnson and Gant had taken with them from San Antonio had volunteered to garrison Bexar, and so were in violation of their enlistment terms

p 90 Houston forwarded Neill's letter about needing supplies despararetly to Smith and said that he was going to Goliad to try to stop the nonsense Houston thought the plan illegal - he told Smith that he had heard there was no quorum when this was decided, so Council didn't have power to authorize the expedition

Smith submitted a letter to the Council, with Neill's letter scolding term - ""accused them of outfittin ga piratical expedition and appointing their own "Generalissimo" to its command" then he dismissed the countil until march 1 unless they agreed to rencounce the current course

Council said he didn't have the authority issued a proclamation saying Smith had liked the Expedition as long as Houston in charge

p 92 council denied ever giving Grant authority to act n their behalf so said he must have been acting on governor's behalf then fired the governor since he wasn't willing to communicate with them no one willing to accept responsibility for any of the mistakes

Jan 12, Smith wrote to council that "I admit that I [used] language beyond the rules of decorum" but that he felt insulted by their actions said he would forget it all if council would admit they were wrong - then "the two branches [would] again harmonize to the promotion of the true interests of the country"

Jan 14, Council got another letter from Neill that said he had heard the Mexican army was marching toward Bexar

p 93 after getting NEill's note about MExicans on the march, Houston sent Bowie to Bexar

p 94 Jan 22, Smith gave an address to the public defended his actions and place blame for everything on Council

Neill was getting good intelligence, and correctly reported to the council that Santa Anna was planning a two-pronged attack - on Bexar and Matagorda

p 95 Smith didn't agree with Houston's plan to abandon Bexar and ordered Neill to remain in place, then sent Travis

p 97 Feb 2, Bowie wrote a letter to Smith about his failed attempt to organize a Matamoros Expedition "In pursuance or (sic-me) your orders, I proceeded from San Felipe to LA Bahia and whilst there employed my whole time in trying to effect the subjects of my mission" and the said he was sent to Bexar instead afte rHouston got Neill's missive

p 101 Alamo garrison elected their own delegates to the March 1 convention they did not feel right participating in Bexar elections, sinc ethey didn't live there, and idn't have time to get home to vote also, since garrison mostly Texian and city mostly Tejano, were afraid they would not be represented properly different language and customs Sam Maverick and Jesse Badgett elected (and were seated when convention met)

p 103 Jameson was actually trained as a laywer

p 104 Jan 27, Neill wrote to the council that he was aware of their actions "Suc Interuptions in the General Council of Texas have bad tendancies-they create distrust & alarm and at this critical period of our History are much to be lamented"

Jan 24, the garrison had held a meeting and expressed support for Smith " we will support his Excellency Governor Smith in his unyielding and patriotic efforts to fulfill the duties, and to preserve the dignity of his office"

p 105

also declared Matamoros Exp illegal and said they would no longer listen to the council

published in 3 Texian newspapers