Gonzales Events of 1835
Summer of 1835
A majority of the DeWitt Colonists in Gonzales were loyal to the Federalist (Federalista) Party that wanted the control of the government to reside at the state level instead of at the national level as the Centeralist (Centralista) Party desired.
They were very concerned with the assumption of dictatorial powers by Santa Anna, the annulment of the liberal Constitution of 1824, dissolution of the legislature of Coahuila y Texas and, particularly, reports of his brutal tyranny, rape and pillaging of any one who opposed.
At this time, the majority of DeWitt Colonists still opposed to overt and armed resistance to the Mexican authorities and disapproved of the more aggressive talks about war and independence going on in San Felipe throughout 1835.
Skepticism and mistrust increased rapidly when, without provocation, a Mexican soldier attacked Jesse McCoy in Adam Zumwalt’s store with the butt of his rifle and news of the altercation spread rapidly among the outlying farms and ranches of the colony.
1835
Colonel Domingo Ugartechea, military commander at San Antonio under General Martin Perfecto Cos sent a Corporal DeLeon and several men to obtain the cannon from Alcalde Andrew Ponton
Friday, September 25, 1835
When Corporal DeLeon arrived on this date, a poll taken by Alcalde Ponton indicated that all but three citizens contacted were against giving up the cannon. The cannon was buried in G.W. Davis’ peach orchard in the West Outer Gonzales Town.
Coporal DeLeon and his men searched the town for the cannon and then were placed under house arrest.
Saturday, September 26 to Monday, September 28
Col. Ugartechea sent Lt. Francisco Castaneda from San Antonio with over a hundred men to demand the cannon, but to avoid confrontation if at all possible.
Tuesday, September 29
Castaneda’s forward scouts met Pvt. Isabel de la Garza, who had escaped the afternoon of the day before, and reported that he, with Corporal DeLeon and his men, had been detained and disarmed by the colonists. Later in the day Castaneda met another member of the DeLeon party who had been released who confirmed the report and further reported that 200 men were assembling over the last two days in Gonzales.
That afternoon, Lt. Castaneda’s force arrived within several miles of the west bank of the Guadalupe. Castaneda had sent advance messengers to the river bank prior to his arrival requesting a meeting with Alcalde Ponton, but had been informed that the Alcalde was not available was the only one who could make an official decision regarding the cannon.
Wednesday, September 30, 1835
In the morning the Mexican troops arrived on the West bank of the Guadalupe where all rafts, boats or barges for fording the river which was swollen at the time from rain in the area had been removed to the East bank by the colonists.
Casteneda again requested a meeting with the Alcalde, but was greeted from across the river by Regidor Joseph Clements who again informed Casteneda that Alcalde Ponton was unavailable, but would arrive at 4 PM.
Spread among the bushes and trees on the east bank were a group of armed colonists who became known as the "Original Old Gonzales 18."
Being unable to cross the river easily and with the colonists spread across the east bank, Lt. Castaneda communicated in the afternoon by shouting across the river with Regidor Clements and associates under the command of elected Captain Albert Martin. The colonists allowed one Mexican messenger to swim across and deliver messages.
Lt. Castaneda retired from the river bank and camped on high ground about 300 yards from the river on a spot subsequently known as DeWitt’s or Santa Anna’s Mound.
Meanwhile, Dr. Launcelot Smithers who was in San Antonio at the time of the confrontation interceded with Col. Ugartechea and offered to act as peacemaker and negotiator between the colonists and Mexican forces if he would order his soldiers to refrain from hostile action. Dr. Smithers had arrived at the Castaneda camp and delivered further communications from Castaneda to colonist scouts among which was Capt. Mathew Caldwell.
In Gonzales, contingents from the following counties arrive in Gonzales:
Fayette county area under the command of Col. John Henry Moore
Columbus county under the commands of Burleson, Coleman and Wallace
and other DeWitt Colony settlements.
Captain Martin was replaced by Col. John Henry Moore by election as commander of the Texans
Thursday, October 1, 1835
Castaneda, aware of the increasing size of the Texan force and the difficulty in fording the swollen Guadalupe, moved his camp 7 miles upstream on the west bank of the river but in a more defensible position and near an easier ford of the river on or near the farm of Ezekial Williams.
The colonists prepared to take the offensive by making ready their assorted weapons and John Sowell, Jacob Darst and Richard Chisholm dug up the Gonzales cannon from the Davis peach orchard, un-spiked the touch hole, and mounted it on a pair of wooden wheels from a cotton wagon owned by Eli Mitchell.
The Gonzales forces decided to take the offensive and that evening the Texan force began to move across the river at the Gonzales ferry crossing with 50 mounted men along with the cannon and those on foot.
Friday, October 2, 1835
With mounted men in the lead followed by the mounted cannon flanked by men on foot and a small rear guard on foot, the Texan force approached the Mexican position in a thick fog about 3 A.M.
A dog signaled the arrival of the Texans and Mexican pickets fired wounding one Texan slightly.
Neither force could determine the exact position of the other and both waited for the dawn. When the fog lifted two feet above the ground, the Texans found themselves in the corn and watermelon fields of Ezekial Williams and could see the feet and lower legs of the Solodados under the fog cover. The Texians commenced to move into an open area within 350 yards of the main Mexican force where they began firing on the Mexican position.
A cavalry of 40 under Lt. Gregorio Perez attacked the Texan position, which fell back to the river bank under protection of woods lining the river.
Out of the mist appeared Dr. Launcelot Smither who had earlier been arrested and stripped of his belongings upon commencement of the Texan attack on the Mexican position who relayed Castaneda’s desire for a meeting, but was in turn arrested by the Texans who suspected he was an agent of the Mexicans.
When the river fog lifted, Lt. Castaneda and Col. Moore met in full view of both forces in an open area where the views of both sides were expressed.
With no compromise, each commander returned to their positions and Lt. Col. Wallace ordered cannoneer J.C. Neill to fire the cannon loaded with powder and scrap metal, a harmless shot known as the first shot of the Texas Revolution.
The Texans fired a rifle volley and Col. Moore led a modest charge toward the Mexican position without actually closing with the Mexican force.
Lt. Castaneda immediately retreated with one casualty and returned to San Antonio. It is believed by this time that Lt. Castaneda had received subsequent orders from Col. Ugartechea in San Antonio to retire at once if his interview with the Alcalde were unsuccessful and, in his judgment, the Texan forces were superior to his.
The Texan forces sustained a minor gunshot wound and one bloody nose due to a spooked horse when the firing commenced.
Thus ended the confrontation on William’s farm that became known over the years as the Battle of Gonzales or the "Lexington of Texas" commencing with the "Texas shot heard round the world."
Adapted from:
McKeehan, W. L. (2006), SONS OF DEWITT COLONY TEXAS: Battle of Gonzales-Index, http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/batgonframe.htm by Dennis R. Riedesel, Ed. D. 2007
THE 2nd ANNUAL
“TAKING OF THE PRESIDIO”
Sponsored by
THE REFUGIO MILITIA
OCTOBER 20 & 21, 2007
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the 2nd Annual Taking of the Presidio! This event is one that was designed with the participants in mind. Most events that we attend each year are focused on teaching the public and although this is always very important, it rarely gives us an opportunity to teach ourselves. At Taking of the Presidio several scenarios, which will be sent out in a later schedule, will give participants the opportunity to learn more about the history of the event being re-enacted, as well as how to enjoy their time in the field. The event will be located at the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad, TX. This will be a pre-registration only event (not an invitation only), so be sure to fill out your packet and send it in as soon as possible. Thanks for your interest in living history and hope to see you out there soon!
PURPOSE and GOALS
Our purpose is to re-enact the taking of the Presidio La Bahia from the Mexican garrison by the quickly organized militia force under Captain Collinsworth. Participants new to re-enacting will have the opportunity to work on first person impressions that can be used in other events. Seasoned veterans will have the opportunity to work with and share experiences of re-enacting with less seasoned participants. Most of all, everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy their weekend and have a great time doing the hobby that we all cherish.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the event, contact me at (512) 461-9597 or j_lauderdale@hotmail.com. You may also download the registration packets from the Texian War for Independence and Red Rover Yahoo Groups if you are a member. Members of the Red Rover Company may also contact Bill Scott to have him mail you a copy of the registration and release packet.
God and Texas,
Jim Lauderdale – Organizer