Action of April 17, 1837 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of the Brazos River |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Mexico |
 Republic of Texas |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Francisco López |
 George W. Wheelwright |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 2 brigs | 1 schooner | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 2 killed 2 brigs damaged |
1 wounded 1 schooner captured |
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The Battle of the Brazos River was a short but important fight that happened on April 17, 1837. It took place on the Brazos River in Texas. This battle was between the Mexican Navy and the new Texas Navy.
Why the Battle Happened
Even after Sam Houston won a big battle against Antonio López de Santa Anna at San Jacinto, Texans still fought at sea. They hoped this would convince the Mexican Government to let Texas be an independent country.
In May 1837, a Texas Navy ship called Independence was getting ready for a trip. It was supposed to take a United States diplomat named William H. Wharton from New Orleans back to Texas.
The Independence sailed smoothly for about seven days. But on April 17, it met two Mexican ships. These were the brigs Vencedor del Álamo and Libertador. They were near the mouth of the Brazos River.
The Fight on the River
The Texans first saw the two Mexican ships around 5:30 in the morning. The Independence was smaller and had fewer guns. So, it tried to escape by sailing up the Brazos River. It hoped to find safety at the small town of Velasco.
The Mexican ships chased the Texans. Several hours later, around 9:30 am, the two brigs got close enough to fire their cannons. The Vencedor del Álamo had sixteen 8-pounder guns and 140 men. The Libertador had six 12-pounder guns, one 18-pounder, and 100 men.
The Independence had only eight guns in total. It raised its flag, and then the Libertador fired first. Its shots missed. Soon after, the Independence fired back. It used its 9-pounder, three 6-pounders, and one pivot gun.
For two hours, the Independence kept moving up the river. The Mexican ships followed closely, stopping now and then to shoot at each other. By 11:30 am, the Texans reached Velasco. Captain Wheelwright of the Independence knew he had to fight. He could not go any further up the river.
The final part of the battle happened right in front of Velasco. Many people from the town watched, including the Texan Secretary of the Navy, Samuel Rhoads Fisher.
The Mexican ships were not far behind. Captain Wheelwright ordered his men to fight again. Some Texan shots hit the Libertador. They damaged its main top-gallant mast. After another shot, two Mexican sailors were killed and a few more were hurt. More shots damaged the Libertador's foremast and broke one of its 12-pounder guns.
But these hits did not stop the Mexican ships. The Libertador came straight at the Independence. The Vencedor del Álamo moved around to the other side. The two big ships quickly got very close. They fired many cannonballs at the Independence.
During this intense firing, a cannonball hit the Independence's wall. It struck the Texan captain, taking off three fingers from his right hand. Captain Wheelwright was badly hurt and taken below deck. Command of the ship went to Lieutenant John W. Taylor. He fought for a few more moments. Then, he received orders from the wounded Captain Wheelwright to surrender. With that, the battle was over.
What Happened Next
Right after the battle, Mexican sailors boarded the Independence. The Texan officers and crew were taken prisoner. William Wharton and six other civilian passengers were also captured.
The Texan fighting men were held in Matamoros. But all the prisoners eventually escaped or were set free by the Mexican government. On the same day, the Mexican President, Anastasio Bustamante, gave a speech. He promised to make his military stronger to "preserve the rights of the nation." This meant he wanted to take Texas back.
After capturing the Independence, the Mexican sailors found something special. It was an 8-pounder gun that Texans had taken from them a year earlier at the Battle of San Jacinto. The Independence was then added to the Mexican Navy. It was renamed La Independencia and continued to sail in the Gulf of Mexico against the Texans.
Images for kids
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The Brazos River, where the battle took place.
