Monday, May 6, 2024
Texas Independence Day is observed annually on March 2 to honor the sacrifices of many men who gave their lives to fight for independence.
In the fall of 1835, many Texans concluded that liberalism and republicanism in Mexico was dead. The dictatorship of President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, supported by rich landowners, had seized control of the governments and subverted the constitution.
The first open fight in the Texas Revolution, where Texans successfully fought for their independence, took place on Oct. 2, 1835, which became known as the Battle of Gonzales.
In 1831, the Mexican government had loaned a cannon to Texas colonists at Gonzales to defend the colony against American Indians. In 1835, as tensions between Texans and the Mexican government were rising, the Mexicans sought to retrieve the cannon back.
According to encyclopedia.com, Mexican Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea dispatched six men to get the cannon, but the Texans refused and seized the Mexican soldiers, holding them captive.
Ugartechea then sent a force of 100 soldiers, led by Lieutenant Francisco de Castaneda. At the Guadalupe River near Gonzales, 18 Texans blocked the soldiers’ path. With more Texans arriving from nearby settlements, Castaneda led his soldiers upriver and set up camp.
On Oct. 2, 1835, the Texans attacked the Mexicans’ camp. The Texans fired the cannon, in what is considered the first shot of the Texas Revolution.
Outnumbered, and having been instructed to avoid engaging the Texans in battle, Castaneda soon retreated. There were very few casualties.
The cannon became known as the “Come and Take It” cannon.
As dissention and discord mounted in Texas, the colonists agreed that another popular assembly was needed to chart a course of action.
On Dec. 10, 1835, the general council of the provisional government issued a call for an election on Feb. 1, 1836, to choose 44 delegates to assemble on March 1, 1836, at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
According to encyclopedia.com, 41 delegates were present at the opening session, and 59 individuals attended the convention held at Washington-on-the-Brazos, including Sam Houston.
Houston was a former United States congressman and governor of Tennessee and happened to be a close friend of United States president Andrew Jackson. He was appointed the commander in chief of the revolutionary army and left the convention early to take charge of the forces gathering at Gonzeles.
The convention delegates knew they must declare independence or submit to the Mexican authority.
On March 1, George C. Childress presented a resolution calling for independence. At its adoption, the chairman of the convention appointed Childress to head a committee of five to draft a declaration of independence. When the committee met that evening, Childress brought a statement that followed the outline and main features of the United States Declaration of Independence.
The next day, on March 2, the delegates unanimously adopted Childress’s suggestion for independence, and 58 members signed the document.
And with that, the Republic of Texas was born.
Although independence was declared, the Battle of San Jacinto, which was the last battle of the Texas Revolution, occurred on April 21, 1836. This was the defining battle of the revolution.
In April of 1836, Santa Anna learned that Houston was moving east. He then divided his army into three parts which included one part that went on a failed attempt to capture the provisional government, another remained to protect his supply lines, and the third went after Houston and his army.
Santa Anna set up camp on April 19, 1936, in a marshy area bordered by the San Jacinto River, while Houston set up camp nearby.
On April 21, 1836, Santa Anna received around 500 reinforcements under the command of General Martin Perfecto de Cos. When Houston didn’t attack at first light, Santa Anna assumed he would not attack that day and the Mexicans rested.
Houston held a strong defensive position and wanted to let Santa Anna attack first, but in the end, he was convinced of the temptations to attack.
At about 3:30 p.m., the Texans began silently marching forward, trying to get as close as possible before opening fire. As soon as the Mexicans realized an attack was coming, Houston ordered the cannons to fire as well as the cavalry and infantry to charge.
The Mexicans were taken aback, as many were asleep and not one was in a defensive position.
After the battle, many Texans wanted an execution of General Santa Anna, but Houston refrained. He figured that Santa Anna was worth much more alive than dead.
Houston and his officers spoke with Santa Anna for hours before deciding on a course of action. Santa Anna dictated orders to his generals to leave Texas at once, as well as signing documents which recognized the independence of Texas and ending the war.
Coryell County has roots to the Battle of San Jacinto, as John B. Callicoatte, who resided in the county, fought as a member of Captain Thomas H. McIntire’s Company.
Callicoatte took part in the capturing of Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.
Years later, in March of 1906, Callicoatte passed away in Coryell County and he was buried in the Bee House Cemetery. In 1957, the State of Texas placed a memorial stone at the grave site to honor his service to Texas.
