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Battle of Gonzales
Battle of Gonzales
The Texas Bucket List-Come and Take It Cannon in Gonzales.mp4The Texas Bucket List Video
While you watch the video, listen for the answers to the following questions:
What is Gonzales' nickname?
Why did Green DeWitt request the cannon?
Why did the Mexican government request the colonists give the cannon back?
What does "Come and Take it" refer to?
Why is the Battle of Gonzales important?
The Battle of Gonzales
The Battle of Gonzales
When Mexican General Domingo de Ugartechea, military commander in Texas, received word that the American colonists of Gonzales refused to surrender a small cannon that had been given to the town, he sent Francisco de Castañeda and 100 soldiers to retrieve it. Ugartechea realized that, given the tensions between the Texians and the Mexican government, the slightest issue might start problems. He instructed Castañeda to use force if necessary but to avoid open conflict if possible.
When Castañeda's troops reached the Guadalupe River opposite Gonzales on September 29 they found their path blocked by high water and eighteen Texian soldiers. Castañeda demanded the return of the cannon, but the Texian settlers refused. The men of Gonzales quickly asked for reinforcements from several of the surrounding settlements. The cannon had been previously hidden in a peach orchard. They dug it up and mounted it on a cart. Because they didn’t have cannonballs, they gathered metal scraps to fill the cannon. James C. Neill was given command of the cannon. He gathered several men, including Almaron Dickinson who had served in the US Army.
The image below shows the cannon that was used during the Battle of Gonzales.
Fun Fact: The "Come and Take It" flag was made out of material from a wedding dress one of the women in the town owned.
On the night of October 1, Texian troops crossed over the river and towards Castañeda's camp. The Texians raised a homemade flag with an image of the cannon painted in black in the center. It said, "Come and Take It". On the morning of October 2 they attacked the Mexicans, who were outnumbered and didn’t have enough weapons. Castañeda ordered a withdrawal toward San Antonio de Bexar. In his report to Ugartechea, Castañeda stated that "since the orders from your Lordship were for me to withdraw without compromising the honor of Mexican arms, I did so."
Despite Castañeda's efforts to avoid war, the Battle of Gonzales (which was really only a brief skirmish) marked a clear break between the American colonists and the Mexican government. Declaring a victory, this skirmish was the start of the Texas Revolution. It is often called the “Lexington of Texas”, comparing it to the first battle of the American Revolution.
Primary Source Readings
Primary Source Readings
Reading 1: Letter from Lieutenant Castaneda to Col. Ugartechea, October 2, 1835
Reading 1: Letter from Lieutenant Castaneda to Col. Ugartechea, October 2, 1835
"Today, at five in the morning, I was attacked... by 200 Americans, more or less and with... a small cannon. And because of the superiority of the enemy forces, as by the repeated orders of Your Excellency, I have begun my withdrawal for Bejar where I will give to Your Excellency, a detailed report of everything that had occurred there. We have lost a Soldier... by a carbine bullet."
Guided Questions: As you read the primary source, look for the answers to these questions.
Who wrote this letter? What side is he on (Mexican or Texan)?
When did the battle take place?
Lt. Castaneda says he is going to "withdrawal for Bejar." Where is he going?
How many causalities did the Mexican army have during the battle?
Reading 2: Letter from William Fisher to Stephen F. Austin, October 3, 1835
Reading 2: Letter from William Fisher to Stephen F. Austin, October 3, 1835
" ... the whole force, on foot, amounting to about one hundred and sixty men... crossed the river, attacked the enemy, at daybreak, and put them fight without the loss of a single man. Inasmuch as we expect a formidable attack from Ugartechea, should the forces long remain idle, the determination is to attack San Antonio, as soon as we can receive reinforcements, to prevent this country, as far as possible, from becoming a battle ground. This committee, therefore, earnestly desire that you would use your influence to send to this place, as soon as possible, as many volunteers as possible."
Guided Questions: As you read the primary source, look for the answers to these questions.
Who wrote this letter? What side is he on (Mexican or Texan)?
When did the battle take place?
Where did the battle take place?
How many causalities did the Texan's have?
What did Fisher ask Austin to do? Why?
Where do the Texan's intend to attack next?
Presentation Requirements:
Presentation Requirements:
Your presentation needs to include the following information and address the following questions:
Name of the battle
Date for the battle
Location of the battle
What led to the start of the battle?
Who was James C. Neill?
Who was General Ugartechea?
What was the "Come and Take It" flag? What was it used for?
Why is the Battle of Gonzales called the "Lexington of Texas"?
How did the Texans react after the battle was over?
Add at least 2 pictures to your google slides that you feel represent this event in some way
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