Transcript Independence is Won! Runaway Scrape and Last Battles of

Revolution and Republic
Independence is Won! - Runaway
Scrape and Last Battles of the
Revolution
Unit Six, Section Two Notes
During the Battle of the Alamo…
While the men at the Alamo were fighting off
Mexican soldiers and losing, the political leaders
of Texas were meeting in a small, unfurnished
building in Washington-on-the-Brazos. This
meeting, known as the Convention of 1836,
included men such as Lorenzo de Zavala, Sam
Houston, and George C. Childress. Childress
wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence on
March 2, 1836, using the U.S. Declaration as a
guide. They also met to write a constitution for
their new government.
Why would they use the U.S.
Declaration of Independence and
Constitution as guides?
News of the Fall of the Alamo
Not long after signing the Texas Declaration of
Independence and creating the Constitution
for the new government, the delegates at the
convention left Washington-on-the-Brazos,
hoping to find out what happened at the
Alamo. Sam Houston, the leader of the Texas
Army, found out that the Texans had been
defeated by some of the Alamo survivors,
including Susanna Dickinson. They also heard
that Santa Anna and his army were advancing
farther into Texas.
Comparing Declarations of
Independence
Both the U.S. and Texas Declarations of
Independence stated their grievances, or the
reasons why they wanted and were willing to
fight for independence. Both also stated that the
government had violated their rights and
liberties.
Comparing the Constitutions
U.S. and Texas Constitutions Similarities
Things Only in the Texas
Constitution
• Both had three branches –
the legislative, judicial, and
executive.
• Created a republic, where
the people elect those they
want to represent them.
• Contained a bill of rights.
• Contained a policy for
colonization.
• Contained information
about creating public
schools.
• Ensured that slavery would
be legal.
• Stated that freed slaves
would have to petition the
government to stay in Texas.
The Runaway Scrape – Spring 1836
Word began to spread through Texas about the
outcome at the Alamo. Fearing for their lives,
many Texans fled east towards the U.S., in
hopes that they could outrun Santa Anna’s
advancing army. This movement of settlers is
now known as the Runaway Scrape. Along
with all the confusion of trying to flee the
area, conditions were made worse from heavy
rains during the spring of 1836. Many people
died of diseases and hardships during the
Runaway Scrape.
Re-enacting the Runaway Scrape
(At the San Jacinto Battle Festival)
Battle of Refugio – March 14, 1836
While Santa Anna was delayed at the Alamo, his
senior general, General José Urrea continued to
march across Texas and fight smaller battles
against Texas forces. On March 14th, Urrea won
the Battle of Refugio, defeating many of Col.
Fannin’s troops who had been sent to Refugio to
evacuate the settlement. On the same day,
Fannin received an order from General Houston
to leave Goliad, where he had been waiting for
his troops to come back from Refugio. Instead of
leaving immediately for Victoria as ordered, he
waited. General Urrea and his men caught up
with Fannin.
Where have we heard Gen. Fannin’s
name before?
Battle of Coleto – March 19, 1836
After being attacked by Urrea’s men, Fannin
decided to follow orders and leave for Victoria
around March 18th. On the way, they stopped to
rest in an open prairie outside of Goliad during a
heavy fog, and they were quickly surrounded by
Urrea’s army. Though possibly outnumbered,
Fannin chose to stand and fight near Coleto
Creek. The Texas soldiers were pinned down
without cover and with a limited water supply.
The geography of the area hurt the Texans, and
they were forced to surrender after Fannin
became wounded and more Mexican soldiers
arrived.
Refugio and Goliad on Map
Goliad Massacre – March 27, 1836
After the Fannin and his men surrendered, they
were marched back to Goliad by Urrea and held
there for a week. Urrea wrote to Santa Anna,
asking him for permission to hold the troops as
prisoners of war. But Santa Anna said that anyone
who had taken up arms against Mexico must be
executed immediately. On March 27th, Mexican
soldiers lined up and shot more than 400 Texans
outside of Goliad. Fannin was executed with his
men. Some were able to escape in the smoke and
confusion. A woman named Francita Alavaz, who
was traveling with the Mexican troops, helped a
few people escape. She is now referred to as the
Angel of Goliad.
Monument to the Men of Goliad
Houston Prepares His Troops
After the massacre at Goliad, many angry Texans
wanted Sam Houston to attack Santa Anna’s
army without delay. But Sam Houston felt that
his troops needed more time for training and
for restocking supplies. He continued to
retreat further away from Santa Anna’s army
while restocking and preparing. Then on April
18th, a scout reported that Santa Anna’s army
was camped near Harrisburg on the Brazos
River. Houston felt that this would be the
perfect time to strike.
Many people called Sam Houston a
coward. Why? Why was he actually
very smart?
The Battle of San Jacinto –
April 20 - 21, 1836
On April 20th, the Texans traveled down river
and camped near a grove of live oak trees,
with an open field in front, so that they could
see the Mexicans coming if necessary. The
Mexicans were also exposed, leaving
themselves open to attack by the Texans. After
meeting on April 21st with his army officers,
Houston decided to attack that afternoon.
Surprise Attack!
At around 3:00 P.M., 900 Texas troops moved from
the woods onto the prairie, unseen by the
Mexican soldiers. Many of them were exhausted
from some smaller battles the day before and
were taking a nap. The Texans attacked! The
battle lasted only 18 minutes, which makes it the
shortest battle in history. Most of the Mexicans
were taken by surprise and either tried to run
away or surrender. At the end of the battle, 630
Mexican soldiers were dead, with only 9 dead
Texas troops, though Houston was wounded with
a shattered ankle from a rifle ball.
Santa Anna Captured
Somehow, Santa Anna escaped during the
battle, but he was found the next day hiding in
a marsh near the battle grounds, dressed in
the uniform of a normal Mexican officer. With
his capture, the Texans not only won the
Battle of San Jacinto, but also the war! Many
Texas soldiers wanted to kill Santa Anna, but
Houston decided to keep him as a prisoner of
war, to ensure that war would be over and
Texas would officially gain their stance as an
independent nation.
Painting of Santa Anna surrendering to Sam
Houston after the Battle of San Jacinto
San Jacinto Monument in Harris
County, Texas