Part 1

A Select Glossary of the _TEXAS REVOLUTION_

compiled by Jean Carefoot

Archives Division Texas State Library

1986

PREFACE

The active period of the Texas Revolution lasted from October 2, 1835, to April 22, 1836. The capture of General Santa Anna, coupled with the decisive victory at San Jacinto, ended, for all practical purposes, the war with Mexico. Mexico would mount two raids into Texas, each capturing San Antonio temporarily. But never again did Mexico have permanent control of any Texas territory north of the Rio Grande. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, finally acknowledged Texas independence from Mexico.

The information for this select glossary of the Texas Revolution is drawn from a number of sources, but principally from the three-volume _Handbook of Texas_. With few exceptions, information about persons or places is confined to the period from October 1835 through April 1836. Additional information about the men who fought for and against Texas independence can be found in the _Handbook_ and in the books listed in the bibliography.

_The Texas Revolution_

The summer of 1835 was filled with unrest. In June the colonists had discovered that General Cos intended to use the military to force Texan compliance with government regulations. William B. Travis and a body of some 50 men responded to this threat in August by attacking and taking the fort at Anahuac. The action, although universally condemned by the Texans, strengthened Mexican determination to bring a military peace-keeping force to Texas.

Texans feared that rights and liberties guaranteed by the Mexican Constitution of 1824 were threatened by this action and the increasing centralization of the government in Mexico. Mexican officials viewed Texan opposition as a direct attack on Mexican national honor, an insult to the government which had generously allowed the colonists to settle in Texas.

The arrival of Mexican troops in Texas finally united the Texans in opposition to Santa Anna’s government. When Colonel Ugartechea demanded that a cannon at Gonzales be returned, the colonists refused. The first battle of the Revolution took place. The Mexican commander was forced to retreat.

Gonzales fell on October 2; Goliad, on October 10. James Bowie and William Barrett Travis captured Espada and Concepcion Missions in October. Fort Lipantitlan surrendered in early November. Between December 5 and December 10, after a month-long siege, San Antonio was taken by the Texas Army and the Mexican troops remaining in Texas were forced to retreat to Mexico. At year’s end, no “foreign” troops remained on Texas soil.

The battles of 1835 were fought mainly by Texas settlers, men who had a vested interest in defending Texas’ soil. By the end of the year, however, they believed the war was over, and they returned to their homes. The 1836 campaign would be conducted principally with volunteers from the United States, a weakness that would hamper the war effort throughout the rest of the Revolution.

While the Texan army drove out the Mexican forces, a “Consultation” of delegates from each of the municipalities met to determine how best to proceed. On November 7, they issued a declaration of causes for taking up arms against Santa Anna. A vote of 33 to 15 favored the peace party: Texas would fight to restore the Constitution of 1824 and to achieve separate statehood for Texas within the Mexican confederation.

A government of sorts was set up by the Consultation. It consisted of a governor, council, and lieutenant governor. None of the parties held sufficient executive or legislative powers. Furthermore, the governor, Henry Smith, favored complete independence for Texas; a majority of the council favored continuing as part of Mexico. Within a month these parties were fighting among themselves. Then, on January 10, Governor Smith attempted to dismiss the council; the council impeached Smith and replaced him with Lt. Governor James W. Robinson.

The split between Smith and the council was caused by attempts to mount a Matamoros Expedition—an ill-favored plan to take the war outside of Texas and to keep U. S. volunteers occupied. Although the Matamoros Expedition never was organized, it drew off supplies and volunteers desperately needed in Texas, and it divided the political and military leaders at a time when unified action was essential.

As winter held Texas in its grip, Santa Anna mounted a counterattack. Arriving in San Antonio on February 23, he laid siege to the Alamo, where 150 Texans attempted to buy time for Texas. Only 32 volunteers from Gonzales came to reinforce the men at the Alamo. All were killed shortly after dawn on March 6.

While the Alamo was besieged, Texans met in Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos. On March 2, the Convention declared Texas independence, and a Declaration to that effect was signed the following day. Before the meeting adjourned, a constitution was drafted and an interim government set up.

Texan reverses in the field continued. Learning of the fall of the Alamo, Sam Houston and the undermanned and untrained Texas army began a hasty retreat eastward.

F. W. Johnson was attacked at San Patricio on February 27, and only he and four men survived. James Grant and his men were surrounded and killed at Agua Dulce on March 2.

Refugio was attacked and Amon King and the garrison were killed on March 16. William Ward, who had been sent to relieve King, was captured with his men on March 22. They were marched to Goliad where they were executed on March 27.

Fannin, who had failed to respond to calls for help from the Alamo because he lacked transport for his arms and supplies, finally began a retreat on March 19. He and his men were caught outside Goliad at Coleto. After fighting off several attacks, Fannin was finally forced to surrender on the morning of the 20th. Returned to Goliad, Fannin and his men awaited a decision about their fate. Gen. Urrea favored treating them as prisoners of war; Santa Anna demanded that they be executed as pirates. Santa Anna prevailed. His orders were carried out on Palm Sunday, March 27.

Throughout April, the remaining Texas troops fled to the east. While they retreated, panic seized the colonists. The Runaway Scrape saw hundreds of families take to the roads fleeing from the oncoming Mexican army. Even the Texas government was caught up in the frenzy as Santa Anna moved steadily eastward. Indeed, the government narrowly escaped being captured as its members prepared to sail to Galveston.

Finally, on April 20, the Mexican and Texan armies met at San Jacinto. A brief skirmish was fought on April 20. Then, as the afternoon shadows began to lengthen, on April 21 the Texan army advanced against Santa Anna’s troops. What took place then was a slaughter of the Mexican army, its men taken by surprise, cut off from escape.

The Texan victory was completed the next day when a poorly-dressed soldier was brought in from the field. The prisoners’ reactions soon revealed that this was, indeed, President-General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. For all practical purposes, the war was at an end.

A

Ad Interim Government The last act of the Convention of 1836 was to elect an interim government to serve until the people of Texas could ratify the Constitution and hold regular elections. David G. Burnet served as president; Lorenzo de Zavala, vice-president. This government acted from March 16 until October 16, 1836.

Agua Dulce, Battle of Fought March 2, 1836. James Grant’s small body of men, a part of the Matamoros Expedition, and troops commanded by Jose Urrea met on a spot some 26 miles from San Patricio. Grant and most of his men were killed. Those who escaped death either were made prisoner by the Mexican army or were to join Fannin’s forces at Goliad, only to be executed in the Goliad Massacre.

Alamo Mission The Mission San Antonio de Valero, known as the “Alamo,” was used as a fort by the Mexican army from 1821 until December 1835. After a two-month siege, Texan troops took over San Antonio on December 10, and drove the Mexican army from the city. Texan soldiers hastened to the Alamo on February 23, 1836, as Santa Anna’s army entered San Antonio. After a 13-day siege, the Mexican army succeeded in taking the Alamo on March 6. None of the 187 Texan soldiers survived the battle and its aftermath.

Almonte, Juan Nepumoceno A colonel in the Mexican Army, Almonte accompanied Santa Anna as an aide-de-camp. He was captured at San Jacinto. Almonte’s report to the Mexican government in January 1834 alerted the government to the possibility that Texas might be taken from Mexico by force or by diplomacy.

Anahuac Angered over the arrest of Andrew Briscoe, citizens of Anahuac, led by William B. Travis, attacked the garrison on June 29, 1835. Mexican troops under Antonio Tenorio were forced to surrender and were expelled on June 30. The action was condemned by most Texans, and numerous communities sent in protests to the Mexican government. Mexico retaliated by sending military forces under the command of General Cos to Texas to quell any future demonstrations.

Archer, Branch Tanner Before joining the Consultation, Archer participated in the capture of Gonzales. He was the president of the Consultation, and he was appointed by that body to serve as one of three commissioners to the United States, empowered to secure men and money for the war effort.

Austin, Stephen Fuller His speech at Brazoria on September 8, 1835, encouraged the colonists to seek independence from Mexican rule. Austin was elected commander-in-chief of the Volunteer Army in the field, and, as such, directed the operations of the Texan army before Bexar. In November 1835, the Consultation appointed him a Commissioner to the United States, where he worked throughout the remainder of the Revolution, negotiating for men and money to support the revolutionary forces.

Austin, William Tennant At the beginning of hostilities, he sent supplies to the Texas army from the mouth of the Brazos. He participated in the siege of Bexar and later served as an aide to Stephen F. Austin, Edward Burleson, and Sam Houston.

B

Baker, Moseley A leader of the war party in Texas before the Revolution, Baker went into east Texas with F. W. Johnson to recruit soldiers for Texas in August 1835. Baker fought in the battle of Gonzales and the Grass Fight. He was elected captain of his company on March 1, 1836. His command prevented the Mexicans’ crossing the Brazos during the Texas Army’s retreat. After burning San Felipe, he rejoined Houston’s army and was wounded in the battle of San Jacinto. In that engagement, Baker commanded Company D, 1st Regiment of the Texas Volunteers.

Barrett, Don Carlos Barrett served as president of the Mina Committee of Safety and Correspondence and represented that community at the Consultation. Barrett was instrumental in framing the Declaration of November 7, 1835. After the session, Barrett became a member of the General Council. He was elected judge advocate general of the Texas Army, but resigned because of ill health shortly after Henry Smith’s impeachment.

Bean, Peter Ellis Bean had served in the Mexican wars for independence from Spain, and, for that reason, was regarded with suspicion by the colonists. However, he is credited with having kept the Indian tribes from interfering with the Texan army throughout the Revolution. Neither side fully trusted him during the war.

Beason’s Ferry Crossing on the Colorado River, south of Burn(h)am’s Ferry. Santa Anna’s army crossed the river at this point on April 5, 1836.

Bexar The term encompasses both the presidio of San Antonio de Bexar and the villa of San Fernando de Bexar, which became present-day San Antonio. It also includes the municipality of Bexar which eventually became Bexar county.

Benavides, Placido Benavides organized a band of Mexican soldiers to fight for the Texan cause at the outbreak of hostilities. In February 1836, he was with James Grant at the battle of Agua Dulce Creek. Grant ordered him to escape and to report the news of Urrea’s arrival to Fannin at Goliad.

Bonham, James Butler Bonham was commissioned a lieutenant of cavalry on December 20, 1835. He arrived at the Alamo some time between January 18 and 23, possibly with James Bowie. At the beginning of Santa Anna’s siege, Travis sent Bonham to Goliad to request reinforcements from Fannin. On Bonham’s return, he was sent to Goliad and Gonzales to raise volunteers. In spite of the danger, Bonham forced his way back into the Alamo on March 3 and died there on March 6.

Borden, Gail Jr. Borden published the _Telegraph and Texas Register_, beginning the publication on October 10, 1835. The press had to be moved from San Felipe to Harrisburg and then to Columbia as the Texans retreated before Santa Anna’s advance.

Borden, John P. Borden fought under Collinsworth at Goliad, October 7, 1835. Along with five other men, he signed a protest addressed to S. F. Austin, demanding that the men of Goliad be allowed to choose their own commander. He served under Dimmitt, but was discharged January 11. He rejoined the army on February 29, and, as a member of Moseley Baker’s company, he fought in the battle of San Jacinto.

Bowie, James A leader in the battle of Concepcion and the Grass Fight, Bowie also participated in the siege of Bexar and the surrender of General Cos. He commanded the volunteer forces in San Antonio when William B. Travis arrived with regular army troops. After James C. Neill left the San Antonio on February 14, 1836, Bowie and Travis shared command of the army: Travis in charge of the regular forces; Bowie, of the volunteers. He was stricken with “typhoid pneumonia” on February 24 and remained confined to his cot throughout the siege and fall of the Alamo.

Bowles, Chief (The Bowl) Chief of the Cherokee tribes in East Texas, Bowles was reported to have accepted a Mexican commission during the Revolution. However, he signed a treaty of peace with the Texas government on February 23, 1836, and the war ran its course with no organized Indian interference.

_Bravo_ A Mexican war vessel blockading the Texas coast in early November, the _Bravo_ participated in the capture of the American ship, the _Hannah Elizabeth_. The _Bravo_, with two other Mexican ships, fought an engagement with the Texan man-of-war _Independence_ in April 1836.

Another ship, formerly called the _Montezuma_ but rechristened the _Bravo_ was engaged in battle by the _Invincible_, commanded by Captain Jeremiah Brown. The battle took place at the mouth of the Rio Grande, about 35 miles from Matamoros. The _Bravo_ grounded and was crippled by a broadside fired from the _Invincible_.

Brazoria Most men from Brazoria had joined the Texan army at the outbreak of the war. Nearly all of the remaining population had fled in the Runaway Scrape when Jose Urrea burned the town on April 22, 1836.

_Brutus_ The _Brutus_ was bought and equipped as a privateer by Augustus C. and John K. Allen. The brothers sold the ship to the Texas Navy on January 25, 1836. The ship did not see action in the war, however.

Bryan, Moses Austin While Stephen F. Austin commanded the Texan volunteers in the field, Bryan served as his secretary. After Austin’s retirement from the army, Bryan joined the army as private and fought in Moseley Baker’s company in the battle of San Jacinto. At the time, he was serving as Thomas J. Rusk’s aide-de-camp. He was an interpreter at the conference between General Houston and Santa Anna.

Bryan, William A New Orleans merchant, Bryan furnished men and money to the Revolution. He was appointed general agent for Texas by the General Council on January 26, 1836, and, with his partner Edward Hall, he served as purchasing agent for the revolutionary government.

Buffalo Bayou This stream flows east from Fort Bend County to the San Jacinto River. On April 20, 1836, Sam Houston’s army crossed the San Jacinto River at Lynch’s Ferry and camped on the south bank of Buffalo Bayou. On April 21, the battle of San Jacinto was fought on its banks, near the point where the stream flows into the San Jacinto River.

Burleson, Edward At Gonzales, on October 10, 1835, Burleson was elected colonel of the only regiment raised under Stephen F. Austin’s command. He succeeded Austin in the command of the volunteer army in November. On December 3, Burleson was forced to order a withdrawal of the army to Goliad, but Milam’s support of an advance against Bexar countermanded that move. On December 18, Burleson succeeded Philip Sublett as colonel of infantry. At San Jacinto he commanded the 1st Regiment of Texas Volunteers.

Burnam’s Ferry Also spelled “Burnham’s,” the ferry was at the La Bahia Road crossing of the Colorado River. Sam Houston’s army crossed the river at this point on March 17, 1836. The ferry was destroyed on March 19 to prevent its being used by the Mexican army.

Burnet, David Gouverneur Burnet represented the Municipality of Liberty in the Consultation. The Convention of 1836 elected him president of the interim government, a position he held until October 16, 1836.

C

Centralists A Mexican political party which supported a strong central government (instead of a federal system). Although Santa Anna had originally gained the presidency of Mexico by supporting the federal cause, he had decided in 1834 that Mexico was not yet ready for democracy. He dissolved the state legislatures in October 1835, putting the nation under a single, central governing body.

Chambers, Thomas Jefferson Chambers took an active part in the events leading to the Revolution. He offered his land for security to raise men and money for the war. The provisional government commissioned him a major general of reserves and sent him to the United States to secure volunteers and munitions.

Childress, George Campbell Childress was elected a delegate to the Convention of 1836 shortly after he arrived in Texas. There, he called the assembly to order and, after permanent organization, moved that a committee of five be appointed to write a declaration of independence. The document reported out by the committee was written by Childress.

Coleto, Battle of Fought March 19-20, 1836, this battle was the culmination of the Goliad campaign. James W. Fannin and some 400 men from Goliad were falling back toward Guadalupe Victoria when they were attacked by Urrea’s men near Coleto Creek. Although the Texans countered three attacks, they were forced to surrender when their water supplies ran out and Urrea’s main army arrived on the March 20.

Collinsworth, George Morse Collinsworth raised a company of 52 men from Matagorda, and, along with additional troops under Ben Milam, took Goliad on October 9, 1835. He was in command at Goliad until November 18. The General Council appointed him collector of customs for the port of Matagorda on December 10, 1835.

Collinsworth, James The General Council elected Collinsworth captain of the Texas Regiment of Infantry (probably never organized). He represented Brazoria in the Convention of 1836, where he nominated Sam Houston for commander-in-chief. In the army, he assisted the families fleeing in the Runaway Scrape. He was made a major and appointed an aide-de-camp to Houston on April 8. His conduct in the battle of San Jacinto was commended by both Houston and Thomas J. Rusk in their reports.

Committee on Military Affairs Created by the General Council, the Committee on Military Affairs, through its recommendations and its immediate supervision of military matters, did much to influence the conduct of the war from November 1835 through January 1836. Its members included Wyatt Hanks, J. D. Clements, and R. R. Royal.

Committees of Safety and Correspondence On May 8, 1835, Mina organized a Committee of Safety and Correspondence, and Gonzales and Viesca followed suit a few days later. By the end of the summer, most communities in Texas had such organizations. Their purpose was to keep people in touch with developments that affected the Revolution.

Concepcion, Battle of James Bowie and James W. Fannin, with a detachment of 90 men were scouting for a secure campground when, on October 28, they were attacked by a Mexican cavalry force about a mile from Concepcion Mission. The battle lasted some thirty minutes, ending when the main body of the Texan army joined the fight. The army took over the mission grounds for a campsite.

Consultation Called for October 16, 1836, at San Felipe de Austin, the Consultation failed to convene a quorum until November 3. Although sharply divided between the “war hawks” and the “peace doves,” the body issued its “Declaration of November 7, 1835,” stating that the war’s aim was to restore the Mexican Constitution of 1824 and to make Texas an independent state within the Mexican Confederation. Sam Houston was made commander-in-chief of the regular army, a government was set up, authorized by the Organic Law, and three commissioners were sent to the United States to seek money and soldiers. The Consultation adjourned on November 14.

Convention of 1836 The General Council, over Governor Smith’s veto, called for a Convention to assemble at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1, 1836. The Convention adopted a declaration of independence, wrote a constitution, and elected a provisional government before adjourning hastily on March 17.

Cos, Martin Perfecto de Cos was Santa Anna’s brother-in-law, sent to Texas in September 1835 to investigate the colonists’ refusal to pay duties at Anahuac. Cos landed 500 men at Matagorda Bay and then established headquarters at San Antonio. He intended to expel all who had come to Texas since 1830 and anyone opposed to Santa Anna. Forced to surrender San Antonio on December 10, Cos and his men were allowed to return to Mexico on their pledge never to take up arms against Texas again. However, Cos returned, commanding a column at the assault on the Alamo. He crossed Vince’s Bridge with reinforcements for Santa Anna just before Deaf Smith destroyed the bridge on April 21, 1836. He was captured after the battle of San Jacinto.

Crockett, David He came to Texas “to fight for his rights.” Crockett and some of his “Tennessee boys” joined William B. Travis at the Alamo, where he and his men were killed. Contemporary reports from both Texan and Mexican sources claim that Crockett survived the assault on the Alamo, only to be executed on Santa Anna’s order.