Battle of Goliad
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The Battle of Goliad was a battle between Mexican forces and Texan forces during the Texas Revolution (1835-36).
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[edit] Background
The Mexican state of Coahuila and Texas was in an open rebellion from the Republic of Mexico. The Texas half of the state wished to separate from Coahuila. Texas had been settled mainly by immigrants from the southern United States. The region had long been sought after by US presidents wishing to add it to the expanding country. The rise to power of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna lead to his self appointment as dictator of Mexico and suspended the Mexican Constitution of 1824. This act sent the Texans into open rebellion for a movement for starting their own country.
[edit] Battle
Texans under the leadership of Captain George M. Collinsworth gathered at Matagorda to march to Goliad and attack the Mexicans stationed there. They were hoping to capture Mexican General Martín Perfecto de Cos. About fifty men arrived at Goliad only to discover that Cos had left Goliad four days earlier on his way to San Antonio de Bexar. All that remained to defend Goliad were about fifty soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Sandoval. The Texans attacked and won the presidio. The battle was over in less than half an hour. By taking this strategic position, Santa Anna's supply route from the sea was seriously threatened.
[edit] Losses
The Texan forces suffered one or two men wounded; Mexican losses were three killed, seven wounded, twenty-one surrendered, twenty escaped.
[edit] See also
[edit] Further reading
- Davis, William C.; Lone Star Rising-The Revolutionary Birth of the Texas Republic; Free Press; ISBN- 0-684-86510-6
