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Siege of San Antonio
Siege of San Antonio
San Antonio was the most important town in Texas – the Texians knew they needed to control the city. Stephen F. Austin was named commander of the Texian Volunteer Army and immediately marched on San Antonio. When he arrived with 300 men in mid-October, he found General Cós in control. Mexican General Martín Perfecto de Cós, brother-in-law of Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna, decided to defend the city, and the siege began. The Texian army surrounded the city and the Mexicans were unable to get more supplies or information. The Texians had little in supplies either, and were forced to forage for food in the surrounding area.
Above is a battle map of the siege of San Antonio. What was the propose of surrounding the city?
Battle of Concepcion - October 27, 1835
Battle of Concepcion - October 27, 1835
Stephen F. Austin sends Jim Bowie and James Fannin, along with some 90 men, to scout San Antonio and find a place to set up a camp. They choose to stay at the Concepción mission. Seeing the Texians divided, Cós sends General Ugartechea to attack. At first, the Texians were greatly outnumbered, but were able to fight off several attacks from the Mexican army. When the remainder of the Texian army joined the battle, the Mexicans retreated. The Battle of Concepción was the second victory for the Texians. This battle highlighted the inferiority of the Mexican army's weaponry and their inability to fight in a wooded terrain. The Mexicans suffered about 50 casualties while the Texians only had 2 casualties.
The Grass Fight - November 26, 1835
The Grass Fight - November 26, 1835
In November, the Texians got word that Mexican soldiers were approaching San Antonio with supplies and ammunition. Led once again by Jim Bowie, a small group of Texians attacked, driving the Mexicans into San Antonio. The Texians found out that it was not reinforcements after all, but some men sent out to cut some grass for the animals trapped inside San Antonio. The Texians had managed to capture donkeys with bags of grass! Although the “Grass Fight” was small, it helped convince the Texians that the Mexicans inside San Antonio were getting desperate.
Battle of San Antonio - December 5-9, 1835
Battle of San Antonio - December 5-9, 1835
After the Grass Fight, the Texians didn’t know how to proceed. Most of the officers wanted to retreat and leave San Antonio to the Mexicans, many of the men wanted to attack, and still others wanted to go home. Only when Ben Milam, a cranky original settler, declared “Boys! Who will go with old Ben Milam into Bexar?” did the men decide to attack San Antonio. The attack began early on December 5th.
The Mexicans, who had more men and a better fighting position, did not expect an attack. Mexicans who had joined the rebels and knew the town led the way. The battle was fought in the streets, houses and public squares of the city. During the 3rd day of fighting, Ben Milam was killed.
Losing men in the battle and to desertion, Cós was forced to retreat to the Alamo. The next day, Cós surrendered, and under the terms of the peace treaty he signed, his men were allowed to leave Texas. He and his army had to swear to never return. Now the Alamo was in the hands of the Texian army.
Presentation Requirements:
Presentation Requirements:
Your presentation needs to include the following information and address the following questions:
Name of the campaign and each battle or skirmish
Date for the battles and skirmishes
Where is Bexar? What modern-day Texas city are they referring to?
Who was General Cos?
Who are James Fannin, Jim Bowie, and Ben Milam?
What was the significance of the Battle of Concepcion?
What was the significance of the Grass Fight?
What was the significance of the Battle of San Antonio?
Add at least 2 pictures to your google slides that you feel represent this event in some way
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