The Battle of Gonzales on October 2, 1835 is considered to be the first battle of the Texas Revolution. Mexican authorities sent a force of about 100 men to repossess a cannon they had provided the residents of Gonzales for defense against Indians. The Texans loaded the cannon with scrap iron and fired the shot that began the revolution. After a short fight, the Mexicans retreated, with one casualty, against no loss on the side of the Texans.

The Alamo

In December 1835, Ben Milam and his volunteers defeated Mexican troops quartered in San Antonio, and gained control of the Alamo. On February 23, 1836, General Santa Anna and his army arrived and laid siege to the Alamo. The commander of the Alamo, William B. Travis, sent couriers out to ask for help. On day 8 of the siege, 32 volunteers from Gonzales arrived. The defenders held out for 5 more days. At dawn on the morning of March 6, 1836, Santa Anna entered the Alamo compound to survey the scene of his victory.

Washington-on-the-Brazos

Knowing that Travis and his men had bought some time with their lives, Sam Houston met others at a convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2-3, 1836 to declare independence from Mexico. It was there that Houston was elected commander-in-chief of the armies of Texas.

Goliad

On March 14, 1836, James W. Fannin, commander of a regiment of men in Goliad, received orders from Sam Houston to retreat to Victoria. Faced with overwhelming odds, Fannin and his regiment of 400 men surrendered at the Battle of Coleto. On orders of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Fannin and most of his his men were killed by firing squad on March 27, 1836.

Battle of San Jacinto

Houston took control of the Texas forces after the fall of the Alamo and Goliad, and conducted the retreat of the army to the site of the Battle of San Jacinto. On April 21, 1836, his force defeated Santa Anna and secured the independence of Texas.

Tags: Texas Independence, Goliad, Gonzales, Alamo, San Jacinto

Chappell Hill Lavender Farm

Off Highway 105, and before we arrived at Washington-on-the-Brazos, we ran into a wonderful scent wafting across FM 1155. The bushes above are lavender plants.

Miniature Horses

These miniature horses are raised on a ranch close to Washington-on-the-Brazos. They were perfect horses, just downsized. I loved the brown one that is looking straight at you in this picture. Her neck was shaved for some reason, but it did not detract from her majesty.

Miniature Foal

This was the most precious foal. It was fuzzy and white nose, legs and tail. It stood about 1-1/2 feet tall.

Lenticular Truss Bridge on Colorado River in Columbus, Texas

The first two days of our vacation we spent in Columbus, Texas on the banks of the Colorado River. There is a wonderful old bridge on Hwy 71 as you exit town. We drove back roads to the Birthplace of Texas and spent a few hours overlooking the Brazos River at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Pictures tomorrow.

Tags: Washington-on-the-Brazos, Birthplace of Texas, free fun, family fun