Texas Revolution AIL 12/11 remediation

Use your era slides in your digital notebook to remember important people and events during those eras.

On October 2, 1835, rebellious Texans and Mexican soldiers clashed in the small town of Gonzales. This small skirmish would have much larger consequences, as it is considered to be the first battle of Texas' War of Independence from Mexico. For this reason, the fight at Gonzales is sometimes called "the Lexington of Texas," referring to the place that saw the first fighting of the American Revolutionary War.

Independence seemed out of reach after the Alamo and Goliad. General Houston drew criticism for not having yet attacked Santa Anna's advancing army;. 

Ordered to stop his retreat by ad interim President David G. Burnet, Houston returned west, receiving word that Santa Anna's army was encamped on the west side of the Buffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto River, inside the present-day city limits of Houston. 

At 3:30 p.m. on April 21, outnumbered and facing impossible odds, Houston ordered the attack on Mexican army. With shouts of "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!", the ragtag militia descended upon the Mexican army. 

It is widely believed Santa Anna and his soldiers were indulging in an afternoon siesta and therefore were not ready to face the attack, which lasted approximately 18 minutes. Nine Texans were killed, and 630 Mexicans lost their lives. Santa Anna was captured after the battle. And so began the Republic of Texas.