CHAPTER 1: War and Rebellion
Texas was a just a region in Mexico. Mexico at this time, was larger than the United States, and equal to military power, the only thing Mexico was lacking was a Navy. Colonists had arrived in Texas in 1822, settling there, mostly from the United States. By 1834, more than 30,000 Immigrants from the U.S were in Texas. Texans were not very fond of the Mexican Religion law that made Texans Roman Catholic. Some were other religions and it angered them. The Issue though that had cut the line between Texas and Mexico, was that Mexico, now under Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna, had banned slavery in Texas.
Slavery was now a Federal Prohibition and would be enforced brutally by the Mexican Armed Forces. Beginning in October 2, 1835, riots broke out Texas, Santa Anna sent an Expeditionary force. 300 Texans were massacred in what now is Austin. Bayonetted after they surrendered. Nicknamed, the Bloody Austin Massacres.
October 8 1835, a Texan Congress is formed, their first President elected was Samuel Houston. The Congress and Houston sign the Declaration of Independence from Mexico.
The first major battle of the War occurs at Gonzales. An Army of 3,000 Mexicans, attacks a Texan Army of 900. 40 Mexicans were killed, and 28 Texans were lost. But, the Mexicans did retreat from Gonzales. The Victory raised Texan morale, but Houston had noticed that Texas had no standing Army, and no Central Military leadership.
James Bowie, was named head of Texan forces in November of 1835. Houston and the Texan Congress had sent out Army Recruitment Signs all over the Country. Volunteers were pouring in, mostly from the United States, veterans of Gonzales, and even some volunteers coming from British Canada. The Grand Army of Texas was made in December of 1835, 9,000 men strong.
Santa Anna had heard of the news of the creation of the Grand Army of Texas. He was now becoming worried, the Revolution was slowly gaining momentum and steam. He needed to end it quickly. A Mexican Army, comprising of 20,000 troops are ready to enter the battlefield. The Two Forces meet at San Antonio, in February of 1836. The Texans are able to hold off the Mexicans in another victory. But 300 Texans were killed. One problem with the Grand Army of Texas, it had no organization, no uniforms. The Texan Army of 1836, is a Primitive, inexperienced force that has much to learn.
The United States wanted nothing to do with the Revolution happening in Texas. But they did encourage Volunteers to the Texan Army. The U.S senate pressured President Jackson to Influence Mexico, and possibly Intervene. Jackson wanted nothing to do with it. The Battles of Houston and Dallas followed, both Texan Defeats. Texas had lost 1,000 men in both battles. By April 0f 1836. The Texan Grand Army was now losing morale and Supplies. Disease was commonplace in the war as well. In January of 1837, the Texan Army was down to 6,000. Another problem. Texas was now on the brink of Bankruptcy. They had owed many nations money for Supplies, clothes, food.
The U.S Senate was hammering President Jackson to Intervene on Texas' Side. The U.S Senate believed if the United States entered the war, Victory could be achieved easily. In June of 1837, the United States Officially entered the War and Declared War on Mexico. The United States was well prepared for the war. They had 3 Armies. The U.S Dragoons, The Army of Observation, and the Army Of South. All were ordered to Texas.
U.S Soldier during the war:
In July of 1837, U.S Troops entered battle with Mexico. The better trained U.S Army was able to defeat Mexican Forces in several Battles. But, Santa Anna was eager, and determined to crush the American Invasion and the Army of Texas. Santa Anna would get one of those wishes done in August of 1837, when an Army of 12,000 Mexicans ran into the Grand Army of Texas at Lubbock The Biggest Battle of the War ensued. After hours of fighting, the ground was strewn with the Bodies of Texan Troops, 5,900, just about the whole Texan Army had been killed, 1,000 Mexicans were killed. Both the Governments of Texas and the U.S were shocked at the amount of Massacre and Bloodshed that had occurred at Lubbock. There would be nothing stopping Santa Anna now from Marching into Austin. Houston and the Texan Congress had fled to Louisiana. Mexican Armies were now occupying Texan States, and Santa Anna had entered Austin.
Battle Of Lubbock:
Now In September of 1837, Santa Anna had requested peace from both Texas and the United States. Mexico would sign a cease fire with the U.S, and Texas would be Re-Annexed into Mexico, and Leaders to be hung, or pledge allegiance to the Mexican Flag. Houston stated that. "I would rather be hung than Pledge Allegiance to that damned flag". The U.S refused peace as well. In that same month, Houston and the Texan Congress had decided that Slavery was an evil practice, reportedly, Houston had seen a Slave being whipped in Louisiana while touring the streets and passing a Southern Plantation. The Texan Government outlawed Slavery. Houston had just ended what the war originally started for. Houston now believed it was now a war over Independence.
Texan citizens were not pleased. Riots were started in the streets of Texas. Houston had stated, "If we are to Capitulate, let it be when we are sovereign". U.S forces were winning Victory after Victory against Mexico in the final months of 1837. The most decisive being the battle Of Las Cruces, Mexican Forces were routed and ended in a casualty count of 3,000.
Battle Of Las Cruces:
By February Of 1838, Santa Anna and the Mexican Government were weary of fighting any longer. Their Casualty count had gone up drastically with the U.S entrance into the war. Santa Anna asked for Peace Terms from Texas and the United States. Delegates from the three countries had met in the Capitol 0f Texas, Austin. The Treaty of Austin was signed. The Treaty contained that Mexico will respect the Territorial Sovereignty and Integrity of Texas, The Territories of San Antonio, Lubbock, Austin, and Dallas will be ceded to Texas. Mexico Reluctantly signed.
Treaty Of Austin:
Texas' Government and Citizens were jubilant with celebration. The new national Flag of Texas was hung in every house around the country as a reminder to their bloody fight for Independence. 10,000 Texans died during the Revolution. In February 8th 1838, the Texan Republic was Proclaimed