“The Battle of Goliad”

“The Battle of Goliad”.

The Battle

The Battle of Goliad, tragic termination of Goliad Campaign of 1836, is all episodes of Texas Revolution, most infamous. Although not as prominent as Battle of Alamo, battle immensely enjoyed support of cause against Mexico, both in Texas and United States, thus contributing greatly to Texas victory at Battle of San Jacinto and maintenance of independence of Republic of Texas.

Twenty-eight American prisoners were tried as pirates, convicted and, on December 14, 1835, fire. Four weeks elapsed between his arrest and execution, allowing Santa Anna to gauge in advance reaction of New Orleans to their fate. Is that shooting of these prisoners, Mexico was acting within his rights. Believing he had found an effective deterrent to American hopes to help Texas, Santa Anna, sought and obtained from Congress Decree of December 30, 1835, which ordered that all foreigners taken in arms against government must be treated as pirates and shot.

Bulk of army of Santa Anna did not take prisoners, execution of murderers Decree of December 30, 1835, fell to Gen. Jose de Urrea, commander of right wing of Santa Anna. The first prisoners taken by Urrea were survivors of party s Francis W. Johnson, captured in and around St. Patrick's February 27, 1836. When Mexican General Santa Anna informed that took prisoners of San Patricio, Santa Anna ordered Urrea to comply with decree of 30 December. Urrea complied, as of issuance of an order to shoot their prisoners, along with those captured in battle of Agua Dulce Creek.

Urrea remitted prisoners to Matamoros, asking forgiveness for making Santa Anna, and washing their hands of their fate. Shelter In March 15, 1836, Urrea was again confronted with duty to comply with Decree of December 30 fatal. Thirty-three Americans were captured during fighting, in Mission of Our Lady of Refuge, half of them with company s Captain Amon B. King ', other one to one.

“The king and his men had infuriated their enemies by burning local farms and shooting eight Mexicans seated around the campfire, and these enemies clamoring for revenge. Urrea satisfied his conscience by shooting King and fourteen of his men, while "giving freedom to all who were colonists or Mexicans."

A more difficult situation confronted him on March 20 after surrender s James W. Fannin '. Fannin's men had agreed to terms on which proposed to capitulate. The essence of these was that Fannin and his men should be treated as prisoners of war, according to uses of civilized nations and be paroled and returned to United States. In view of Santa Anna's orders, Urrea could not agree to these terms, but were denied it would mean another bloody battle Fannin's men had guns, 500 rifles, parts, and nine bronze cannons and, if he said that would mean death to surrender, could sell their lives at the terrible cost and could break through lines of Urrea.

Urrea, in fulfillment of his promise, he wrote to Santa Ana de Guadalupe ...