Battles - Texas Revolution (Cause/Effect)

Runaway Scrape - March 1836 Cause: Hundreds of families feared that the Mexican army would move in and harm them.

Effect: Homes and land were burned and plumaged by Mexican troops. Texas families fled east to escape them.

Grass Fight - Nov. 26, 1835 Cause: Edward Burleson and his soldiers intercepted a Mexican cavalry and mule team thought to be carrying silver.

Effect: After a skirmish (small battle), the Texans captured some mules and discovered that their cargo consisted only of grass meant for Cós's cavalry horses.

Battle of San Jacinto - April 21, 1836 Causes: Texas troops trained under Sam Houston. On April 20, 1836, Texan troops camped on the banks of Buffalo Bayou. Santa Anna's army moved to the edge of a prairie opposite the Texans. Santa Anna was in a poor position but believed the Texans would not attack.

Effect: On the afternoon of April 21, Houston ordered the Texas army to advance on the Mexican troops who were resting. The battle lasts about 18 minutes, Texas wins their independence. Santa Anna signed two treaties at Velasco-one public and one secret.

Massacre of Goliad - March 27, 1836 Cause: Urrea assured the Texans that they would be treated fairly, although the surrender agreement made no such promises.

Effect: Santa Anna ordered the execution of Fannin and his men fearing that if he let the Texans go they would join others in rebellion. The prisoners were taken out to a field and shot (executed).

TX Declaration of Independence - March 2, 1836 Cause: Texas colonists want change. They meet (Convention) in Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Effect: The Declaration cited Santa Anna's government with violation of liberties guaranteed under the Mexican Constitution of 1824. As the Convention unanimously (everyone agrees) adopted the Declaration of Independence, word came from Travis that 300 Mexicans demonstrated at the Alamo.

Assault on San Antonio - Dec. 5, 1835 Cause: Texans now believed Mexican troops could be defeated easily. Texans prepared to march against Cós in San Antonio.

Effect: The Texas volunteers fought their way into San Antonio, the Mexican soldiers retreated to an abandoned mission known as the Alamo. On December 9, his supplies gone, Cós surrendered and was allowed to return to Mexico. Texans believed that the war was over and began returning home.

Battle of the Alamo - March 6, 1836 Cause: Santa Anna was determined to rid Mexico of the Anglo rebels and punish the defiant Tejanos. Santa Anna flies red "no quarter" flag, meaning that he would take no prisoners. The Texans had about 200 men defending the Alamo.

Effect: The final assault began on the morning of March 6, 1836 at about 5:00 A.M. An estimated 1,800 Mexican troops took part, attacking at three different points. The garrison was overpowered by 8:00 A.M. on March 6, and the battle for the Alamo ended.

Battle of Gonzalez - October 2, 1835 Cause: Santa Anna learned that Texan colonists still had a Mexican cannon; troops were sent to bring the cannon back to Mexico.

Effect: The first conflict between Mexican troops and Texan colonists. "COME AND TAKE IT" flag created. A group of 160 armed Texans fought the Mexican troops in a brief battle. The Mexican troops withdrew. No Texans were killed.

Battle of Coleto - Mach 20, 1836 Cause: Fannin delays (slows) his retreat from Goliad.

Effect: While Fannin and his men rested in an open prairie near Coleto Creek, Gen Urrea's (Mexican Army) troops surrounded them. Fannin assembled his 300 troops in a square and three times drove back the Mexican army of 300 to 500 men. Fannin and his men surrendered.