List of Texas Revolution battles facts for kids

When Mexico changed its laws in the 1820s and 1830s, many people in Texas were unhappy. The government banned slavery and stopped new immigrants from coming. This caused anger among settlers, especially those who owned slaves or wanted more freedom. On October 2, 1835, a fight started when Texans refused to give a small cannon back to Mexican soldiers. This event, called the Battle of Gonzales, marked the beginning of the Texas Revolution.

The Texans won at Gonzales, which made them feel strong. They formed a volunteer army. Some Texans went along the coast, winning battles at Goliad and Fort Lipantitlán. Most of the Texan army, led by General Sam Houston, surrounded the Mexican army in Bexar. After winning smaller fights like the Battle of Concepción and the Grass Fight, the Texans attacked Bexar. The Siege of Bexar lasted several days and ended with the Mexican general surrendering.

The War Continues: Mexican Victories

Many Texans thought the war was over after the victory at Bexar. Most settlers went home. The remaining soldiers stayed at the Alamo Mission in Bexar and Presidio La Bahia in Goliad. In early 1836, some Texans, many of them new immigrants, wanted to invade Mexico. Colonel Frank W. Johnson and Dr. James Grant began planning an attack on Matamoros.

However, Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was already planning to take Texas back. In January, he led a large army towards Texas. His army split at the Rio Grande. Santa Anna led most of his troops to Bexar and began a siege of the Alamo. The other part of the Mexican army, led by General Jose de Urrea, traveled along the coast. They easily defeated Johnson and Grant at the battles of San Patricio and Agua Dulce.

The Fall of the Alamo

News of these Mexican victories encouraged Santa Anna's army at Bexar. On March 6, Santa Anna ordered an attack on the Alamo. Almost all the Texan defenders were killed. A few people, like Susanna Dickinson and her baby daughter, and Joe, a slave of William Barret Travis, were allowed to leave. They were told to tell Sam Houston that everyone would either surrender or die. The youngest person fighting in the Alamo was 16 years old.

The Runaway Scrape and Goliad Massacre

The news of the Alamo's fall and the approaching Mexican army terrified the settlers. This event became known as the Runaway Scrape. Settlers, the Texas government, and the remaining Texan army under Sam Houston fled east. Houston told Colonel James Fannin to leave Goliad and join the retreat.

However, Fannin delayed leaving. He sent some of his troops to help settlers at Refugio. Mexican forces were stronger than expected at Refugio and defeated the Texans there. After hearing this, Fannin finally began his retreat. But his men were quickly surrounded by Mexican soldiers. Fannin fought bravely at the Battle of Coleto but was forced to surrender. He and his 300 men were taken prisoner. Just days later, they were executed in the Goliad Massacre.

Victory at San Jacinto

The only Texan troops left were those retreating with Houston. Houston learned that Santa Anna had again divided his army. On April 21, 1836, Houston ordered an attack. The Texans shouted "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad." They showed little mercy during the Battle of San Jacinto. Santa Anna was captured the next day. He ordered his army to return to Mexico, which ended the Texas Revolution.

Key Battles of the Texas Revolution

Here is a list of the important battles during the Texas Revolution.

Key

(M) – Mexican victory

(T) – Texan victory

See also

• Timeline of the Texas Revolution
• Tampico Expedition, a group that attacked Tampico in Mexico before joining the Texas Revolution.