Transcript History Under Nine Flags

PRESIDIO LA BAHIA
GOLIAD, TEXAS
 The history of Presidio La Bahia can be explained by
the nine flags that have flown over its walls including:
 The Flag of France
 The Flag of Spain
 The Flag of the Republic of the North
 Dr. James Long’s Flag
 The Flag of the Republic of Mexico
 Phillip Dimmitt’s Bloody Arm Flag
 The Flag of the Texas Republic
 The United States Flag
 The Confederate States Flag
 The establishment of a French Fort by La Salle on
Garcitas Creek causes Spanish authorities to search for
the French.
 After discovering the remains of the Fort (The French
effort had failed) The Spanish establish Presidio La
Bahia on the site of the fort
 It is Called Presidio La Bahia (Fort of the Bay) because
of its original location on Matagorda Bay.
 Spanish authorities moved the Presidio several times
before it was established at the current location by
colonizer Jose de Escandon.
 The Presidio housed soldiers that protected Mission
Espiritu Santo.
 Spanish Soldiers from the Presidio assisted American
troops in their fight for freedom during the American
Revolution.
 Soldiers and Settlers from Presidio La Bahia were
instrumental in the establishment of the cattle
industry in Texas
 During the years before Mexico won its independence
from Spain, filibusters attempted to invade Texas.
 Augustus Magee and Bernardo Gutierrez led an army
of adventures, Native-Americans and Tejanos to
capture the Presidio. Their force was called the
Republican army of the North.
 During the occupation of the Presidio the Spanish laid
siege to the fort. It was the longest siege in Texas
history.
 The Republican Army of the North was defeated at the
Battle of the Medina.
 Long and a small group of men captured the Presidio
in 1821.
 Long was attempting to establish an independent
country.
 Long was captured by Mexican authorities and was
later killed by a guard while trying to escape.
 Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821
 Anglo-American colonists began to become
dissatisfied with Mexican rule in the 1830’s.
 The Texas Revolution against Mexico began in 1835.
 Presidio La Bahia was captured by the Texans
commanded by James Collingsworth.
 After the capture of the Presidio by Collingsworth and
his men, Phillip Dimmitt became the Texan
commander.
 Dimmitt designed a flag that portrayed a bloody arm
with a sword representing the idea that Texans would
rather cut off their right arm than live under the
dictatorship of Santa Anna.
 The first Texas Declaration of Independence for Texas
was signed in Our Lady of Loreto Chapel by Dimmitt
and his men
 James W. Fannin became the commander of the
Presidio in early 1836.
 Fannin and his command were defeated in battle at
Coleto by the forces of Mexican General Jose Urrea.
 Fannin and his men were massacred by order of
dictator Santa Anna on Palm Sunday 1836.
 During the time that Texas was a Republic, the
remains of Fannin and his men were interred in a
mass grave by Texan troops.
 The Presidio fell into ruins following the Texas
Revolution. Our Lady of Loreto Chapel was used by
Irish and Mexican Catholic families in the area.
 In 1844, the Presidio was acquired by the city of
Goliad.
 The property was purchased by the Catholic church in
1853.
 The Presidio was in ruins during the time that Texas
joined the Confederate States.
 Many local citizens formed military units that fought
in the War Between the States.
 In 1963, historian and philanthropist Kathryn Stoner
O’Conner spearheaded efforts to restore the Presidio.
 Architect Rayford Stripling and other national experts
were employed to restore the structure.
 Presidio La Bahia is a National Historic Landmark.