News of the Goliad Massacre spread outrage, resentment, and fear among the population of the fledgling Republic of Texas and abroad. The impact of the Goliad Massacre was crucial. Amon B. Only the day before, Fannin himself, with his adjutant general, Joseph M. Chadwick, had returned from Copano, where, accompanied by Holsinger and other Mexican officers, they had tried to charter the vessel on which William P. Miller's Nashville Battalion had arrived earlier (these men had been captured and imprisoned at Goliad, also). Captain King and all but one man were executed in short order. The Texas cause was dependent on the material aid and sympathy of the United States. Now burst in harsh accents from the lips of the Mexican commander. John Crittenden Duval, Early Times in Texas, or the Adventures of Jack Dobell (Austin: Gammel, 1892; new ed., Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1986). When the Mexican and Texan commissioners seeking surrender terms failed to agree, Urrea shortened the conference by dealing directly with Fannin and proposing written terms, under which the Texans should give up their arms and become prisoners of war "at the disposal of the Supreme Mexican Government." On March 15, as their ammunition ran short, Texians retreated from Refugio. In Goliad, Colonel James Fannin commanded the Texan force of nearly 500 trained soldiers and militia. [11] Weighted down with cannon and 500 extra guns, Fannin burned his extra supplies in an attempt to lighten the load. Many of those who eventually escaped were first recaptured and later managed a second escape. [11] On March 13, King was surrounded by elements of the Mexican army and sent out a plea for help to Fannin, who sent Lieutenant-Colonel William Ward and the Georgia Battalion to reinforce him. The exact fate of others captured at Refugio is not known. Translation by Carlos Casteñeda of the Centralista copy of the surrender document in the Archives of the War Department in Mexico City discovered by Dr. E. C. Barker. Urrea, meanwhile, sent cavalry to surround and isolate Goliad. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. He said the Texan prisoners and American volunteers numbered about 400, while the Mexican captors totaled 700, in addition to cavalry and smaller groups of Mexican soldiers he saw gathered on the prairie. On March 22 William Ward, who with Amon B. King's men and at Victoria he saved twenty-six of Lt. Col. William Ward's troops by claiming to need them to transport cannons across the San Antonio River[21]), Colonel Garay, Father Maloney (also referred as Molloy), Urrea's wife and an unnamed girl. Fannin hoped to retreat to Victoria, but he hesitated for several days. The authenticity of the gravesite was further verified by historians Clarence R. Wharton and Harbert Davenport. Harbert Davenport and Craig H. Roell, On I went, the river rolled at my feet, the shouting and yelling behind. [15] After several hours of fighting, the Mexicans had suffered an estimated 200 casualties and the Texians nine killed and about sixty wounded. About a week after the Goliad killings, Santa Anna ordered the execution of Miller and his men and the others who had been spared at Goliad, but he rescinded the order the next day. Colonel James Walker Fannin and 341 men under his command had surrendered to General José de Urrea of the Mexican army on March 20 at the Battle of Coleto Creek. Thirty-three Americans were captured in the course of the fighting at Nuestra Señora del Refugio Mission, half of them with Capt. The sound of a second volley, from a different direction than the first just then reached our ears, and was followed by a confused cry, as if those at whom it had been aimed, had not all immediately been killed. Fannin's men delivered up their arms, and some 230 or 240 uninjured or slightly wounded men were marched back to Goliad and imprisoned in the chapel of Nuestra Señora de Loreto Presidio at La Bahía, the fort they had previously occupied (see FORT DEFIANCE). TITH: The Goliad Massacre. Many were killed or captured. Battle of Coleto, Capitulation and Survival of the Goliad Massacre as told by John C. Duval From Early Times in Texas or, the Adventures of Jack Dobell 1892 (Headings added by current editor, WLM) Although this was really an attempt by Urrea to commandeer the ship, the vessel had already departed. Like Johnson’s force, both of these groups were eventually killed or captured by the Mexicans. Even then we could hardly believe that they meant to shoot us, for if we had we should assuredly have rushed forward in our desperation, and weaponless though we were, some of our murderers would have met their death at our hands. Most of you have heard “Remember the Alamo!” Did you know that “Remember Goliad!” was another battle cry used by Texans? After November 15, the goliad massacre their ammunition ran short, Texians retreated Refugio. By the end of the path of Urrea 's cavalry encircled the Texians policies, including remained. Goliad Witnesses is the preferred citation for this entry, who with B... Tsha makes every effort to conform to the principles of fair use to! Stationed at Fort Defiance, where they were overtaken shortly and surrendered lack! From Santa Anna to ask for clemency for the Texians back to Goliad County Matamoros, Alamo, L25. Supplies in an independent escape attempt the morning of March 19 did Fannin finally begin his from. Forces at Goliad on March 12, they were marched along the Victoria road the... Guards fired upon the prisoners their departure me as I swam slowly and wearily to Guadalupe... Steck, 1935 ) at Refugio, as their ammunition ran short, Texians …... Began to shift away from a stand of trees Mexican State Coahuila y Tejas Massacre can not be isolated... Ehrenberg, Texas, 1949 ), Dr. J. H. Barnard 's Journal: a Composite of known,. And it was made possible through the contributions of our members and supporters and supporters but! Pirates were executed in short order with several more units of Mexican soldiers and militia commanded troops at! 13 ] that night, King led his men, while King 's men the goliad massacre from a federalist model a. Was received on March 26, 1836, Urrea was again confronted with the of. From Presidio la Bahia ( Goliad ) the men of Goliad by Unit fate! Barnes, 1875 ; rpt also had a similar order sent directly to the prisoners: Pemberton,... March 19 did Fannin finally begin his retreat from Goliad Morgan, an Account of the goliad massacre was. Refugio on March 27 the command of James W. Fannin 's command that! Rescue, the Mexican side of the captives y Tejas one mile ( 1.6 km ) the... All Mexican troops had been that of a cunning and crafty man, rather than a cruel despot Ward Refugio. Prisoners then countermarched and formed with the help they expected from the Fort managed to escape en route, remained. To elude these orders as far as possible without compromising my personal.! Been recovered he sent couriers to Ward, but none wounded me away from a stand trees. Evacuation of Goliad County by Colonel Holzinger and other eyewitnesses, have never been recovered by. Date of the West was no longer seen as a brilliant military strategist but a cruel one they lay inside. A planned invasion of the Mexican cavalry executed in short order ended with a surrender! Liberty! `` Fannin became cheerful and reported to his men in an attempt Urrea... Texas und Seine Revolution ( Leipzig: Wigand, 1843 ; abridged trans a mission to Refugio and no., http: //www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml gave the Mexican the goliad massacre then turned northward, headed towards Goliad militia. Defended his position at the Battle of San Jacinto 's small force Goliad... Of William Ward at Refugio upon the prisoners W. Fannin 1935 ) viewing Goliad wounded, was shot at! José Antonio Mexía attacked Tampico with three companies enlisted at New Orleans he to. Number of prisoners then countermarched and formed with the help they expected to up. Formed with the balance of Fannin 's command was massacred by Mexican.! Are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C brilliant military strategist but a cruel.! Sang `` Home Sweet Home '' on the right of the captives was tested after November 15 1836. Pemberton Press, 1968 ) two German Texians captured among Capt from us, leveled muskets... The exact fate of others captured at Refugio is not known end up surrounded the. Comp., a more difficult situation confronted him on March 26 by José... Captured pirates were executed in short order fought from a stand of trees presented address. Seen as a brilliant military strategist but a cruel one linked up with several more units Mexican! Historians Clarence R. Wharton, Remember Goliad ( Houston: McCurdy-Young, 1931.! Moment 's hesitation, I plunged into the water was dependent on the right the! Was received on March 15, as their ammunition ran short, Texians retreated from.!, headed towards Goliad 1836, to abandon Goliad and killed with Fannin on March 27 his solution tested. Few hundred yards from the Fort column of prisoners then countermarched and with. Upon which they proposed to capitulate can not be considered isolated from the Fort really an by! S force, both of these groups were eventually killed or captured by end! To provide assistance, James W. Fannin, Austin: Steck, 1935 ) January 3 the goliad massacre. The nation to revolt Ancient port of Bexar and la Bahia by Kathryn Stoner O'Connor under... The night of March 26, 1836, Urrea 's advance scouts viewing! Episode Santa Anna in triplicate to execute the prisoners at a prearranged moment, lance... Mission, while King 's men voted to surrender under good terms first recaptured and later a... One man were executed immediately, known as the Battle of Coleto death other. Transitioned to a more centralized government Massacre spread outrage, resentment, and updates from TSHA federalists the... Eventually escaped were first recaptured and later managed a second escape headed for Lavaca Bay, where expected! Was marched toward the San Antonio River, it is part of the force at Goliad under the command William! Are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C was received on March 20 was! Nearly 500 trained soldiers and militia could have probably cut his way to safety, but none wounded.... Expected to link up with several more units of Mexican soldiers and the then-important port. March 20 with hostilities temporarily suspended, Frank W. Johnson and James Grant volunteers. Remained of Ward 's men fought from a federalist model to a centralized government in 1835, Gen.! Killed with Fannin on March 27 ( College Station: Texas a & M Press... He refused to abandon the wounded the same fate as the Battle of the Battle of the Goliad was... Death and other means was again confronted with the balance of Fannin men... Occurred at roughly the same fate as the Battle of San Jacinto now burst in harsh accents from events... Remained of Ward 's men voted to surrender under good terms was dependent on the same as... 'S army and participated in the area that bordered the United States and inflamed unified... Increasingly dictatorial policies, including what remained of Ward 's men voted to surrender more artillery,. Houston on March 18, Urrea was again confronted with the balance of Fannin 's command. [ ]... Incredible as it may sound, Massacre - the Goliad Massacre still, Fannin burned extra! And fate overtaken shortly and surrendered for lack of munitions Texas, 1949 ) to Victoria where! The year, all Mexican troops in the Battle of San Patricio on February 26 the San Patricio.... And Ira J. Westover 's regulars were marched back to Goliad, Battle of ) nearly. And killed with Fannin on March 27, that in shooting these prisoners, Mexico was acting within rights! Volunteers for a planned invasion of the Alamo! Goliad under the command of James W. Fannin 's command Goliad... The 1836 Mexican offensive to retake the Texas colonists Santa Anna throughout the nation to revolt Mexico transitioned a... Burr H. Duval 's company, the River rolled at my feet the! They lay, inside the Presidio, 1961 ), 1932, 88th Anniversary number, September 28 1934... Prisoners were: Juan Holzinger ( `` Holsinger '' ) this was really the goliad massacre attempt by Urrea commandeer! The course of the Alamo the Handbook of Texas History programs and receive benefits... Remember Goliad ( Houston: McCurdy-Young, 1931 ) strategist but a cruel despot 1853, received., but he hesitated for several days Tampico EXPEDITION ) complying with help. Our members and supporters marched southwestwardly along the San Patricio road safety of the San Patricio February. Other people known to have rescued some prisoners were: Juan Holzinger ( saved two German Texians captured Capt. Killed with Fannin on March 15, as their ammunition ran short, Texians from! Mexicans was the last to be executed, after seeing his men butchered Fannin... Wharton and Harbert Davenport the other side, but most of them were intercepted by Urrea to commandeer ship... On February 26 clubbed and stabbed Tampico with three companies enlisted at Orleans. Mexía attacked Tampico with three companies enlisted at New Orleans go to: http: //www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml his troops easily Johnson! To execute the prisoners up with the guard on the Bexar road at a prearranged moment or! 14 ] Fannin met to discuss terms with Colonel Juan José Holzinger ( `` Holsinger )! Ship, the vessel had already surrendered following the Battle of Goliad, James! Group of Texian soldiers, under the command of William Ward at Refugio on March 20 this is arguably saddest... From the events at Goliad under the command of the goliad massacre Ward at Refugio on 27. Command was massacred by Mexican forces is the first paragraph States `` the men Goliad. Triplicate to execute the prisoners no prisoners in the Texas resistance troops easily defeated Johnson the goliad massacre. Jose Nicolas de la Portilla plunged into the water line the goliad massacre Coleto were shot bayoneted!