4. The Texas Revolution: Part A (September-October 1835)
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Suggestion: One might also find it useful to consult the list of documents and collections of documents at List 2, "Texas in the Nineteenth Century: General."
Benjamin Lundy. The War in Texas . . . . (1835). Abolitionist tract charging that the Texas Revolution was a premeditated effort to get Texas out of Mexico and into the United States in order to protect and extend slavery in the latter nation. Link to document
Jose Juan Sanchez Navarro, "A Mexican View of the War in Texas: Memoirs of a Veteran of the Two Battles of the Alamo," Library Chronicle, 4 (no date given). (Excerpts.) Author was a defender in the siege of San Antonio in 1835 and a participant in Santa Anna's siege of the Alamo in 1836. He also makes reference to the executions at Goliad in March 1836. [Scroll down to the excerpts, which are in quotations.] Link to document
William R. Carey to "Brother and Sister" January 12, 1836. Author, the first commander at the Alamo, tells of his participation in the Texas Revolution at San Antonio up to the date of the letter. Link to document
William Bluford DeWees to Clara Cardello, December 25, 1835. Founder of the town of Columbus tells of his participation in the Battle of Gonzales and in the subsequent campaign to capture San Antonio. Link to document
DeWitt Colony papers: Documents and correspondence, 1835. Link to document
Stephen F. Sparks, "Recollections of S. F. Sparks." [Written many years after events described.] Author recounts participation in the Texas Revolution from the fall of 1835 to the summer of 1836. Link to document
D. L. Kokernot. Reminiscences, Gonzales Inquirer, August 17, 1878. Tells author's participation in the march from Gonzales to San Antonio in the fall of 1835 and in the subsequent siege of the town. Link to document
Dilue Rose Harris, "Reminiscences," Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, 4 [no date given]. This portion covers events from June 1835 to June 1836. Recounts how non-combatants were caught up in the Texas Revolution, including the events of September-December, 1835. Link to document
Creed Taylor. Tall Men with Long Rifles: The Glamorous Story of the Texas Revolution (1935). Memoir, written about 1900. In this excerpt, author tells of his participation in the Battle of Gonzales, September-October, 1835. Link to document
Launcelot Smither to the Council of the Provisional Government, November 23, 1835. Recounts his efforts in September and October to mediate between the Mexican force at Gonzales and the Anglo-Texan colonists gathered at that town to oppose Mexican demands for the return of a cannon. Asks for compensation for losses suffered in the period that followed. Link to document
Charles Mason to Frank (Francis) Johnson, February 4, 1874. Eyewitness account of the beginning of hostilities at Gonzales, September-October, 1835. [Written from notes taken soon after the battle.] Link to document
W. Barrett Travis "to the Public," September 1, 1835. Letter, intended for publication in one or newspapers (but evidently never published), in which Travis, responding to criticism, defends his actions at Anahuac late in June that year. [The documents to which Travis referred were not included in the printed source material.] Link to document
Samuel Maverick. Account of life inside San Antonio, September 5-December 31, 1835. [Diary entries.] Link to document
Stephen F. Austin. Address at Brazoria on the necessity of a Consultation, September 8, 1835. Explains in detail why. This is a pdf file, which requires that you have an Adobe Acrobat Reader in your computer. It may be possible to obtain a free download from the Internet.] Link to document
Peter Ellis Bean to Andrew Jackson, September 11, 1835. Complains about incursions of Indians from the U.S. into eastern Texas. In recent months, Benjamin Hawkins and another person have attempted to bring 24,000 Creeks into Texas to live (upon payment to the men of $100,000). Bean has told Hawkins that he, as superintendent of Indian affairs in Texas, will not permit it. Link to document
San Felipe Committee of Safety. Circular, September 19, 1835. Written by committee chairman Stephen F. Austin. Urges preparation for war in view of the plan of Mexican General Martin Perfecto de Cos to attack Anglo dissidents in Texas. Link to document
Francis S. Belton to J. W. Fannin, Jr., September 23, 1835. Author thanks Fannin for his confidence that he was qualified to lead the Texas army that would soon be needed but points out many obstacles, some personal, though he does not specifically decline to serve if asked. Makes suggestions about both military and political matters in Texas. Link to document
Andrew Ponton to Ramon Musquiz, September 26, 1835. Author, alcalde at Gonzales, refuses to consent to an order to return a cannon to the Mexican Army. Link to document
E. Bailey to unnamed recipient, September 26, 1835. Tells of the situation at Gonzales. [The website does not identify Bailey nor provide name of recipient.] [To access this document, click on "Link to access page," then on "September 26, 1835."] Link to access page
Albert Martin and others to "Fellow Citizens of St. Philipe & the Lavaca," September 30, 1835. Is an appeal of Gonzales residents for reinforcements against the troops commanded by Mexican General Martn Perfecto de Cos. Link to document)
William Fairfax Gray. The Diary of William Fairfax Gray, from Virginia to Texas, 1835-1837. Author was, at the time, traveling to Texas as an agent for two Washington, D.C. land speculators. Texas material for October 1835 appears in Volume I, pp. 4-5 and Vol. II, pp.19-20. [Pages are numbered consecutively through all of the volumes. Use the "Go to Page" link to reach the desired pages.] Link to document
Jacob Garrett. Resolution to the Consultation, urging avoiding bloodshed with Mexico if possible. [October 1835.] [To access this document, click on "Link to access page," then on "October 1835."] Link to access page
Stephen F. Austin to James Kerr and John Alley, October 3, 1835. Concerns General Martn Perfecto de Cos' arrival in Texas. Link to document
William Barret Travis to Randal Jones, October 3, 1835. "Let us . . . stand up like men." Expects to join troops at Gonzales soon; is a candidate for the Convention. Link to document
William H. Wharton. Call for volunteers to muster at Gonzales, October 3, 1835. Link to document
Samuel Sawyer to Sam Houston, October 3, 1835. Land speculator friend of Houston's writes from New York that he is glad Houston is in Texas and hopes that this may prove useful to Sawyer's land interests there. Understands that the U.S. is interested in obtaining Texas by treaty or by purchase. Details about this and about fear that an independence movement would result in a war that would ruin the country. Link to document
Stephen F. Austin to the Committee of Safety at Nacogdoches and San Augustine, October 4, 1835. Says that the army of volunteers should drive the Mexican troops out of Texas. Link to document
Stephen F. Austin to David G. Burnet, October 5, 1835. States that Texas should be completely free of Mexican domination. Link to document
Thomas J. Pilgrim to Stephen F. Austin, October 6, 1835. Writes from Columbia that a report has it that 2,000 Mexican troops would soon land at the mouth of the Brazos River. [You may have to scroll down to the document.] Link to document
George Anthony Nixon to Stephen F. Austin, October 10, 1835. Reports from Nacogdoches that local citizens had subscribed $2,000 for the revolutionary cause. Has talked with Peter Ellis Bean, who has promised to try to persuade local Mexicans to support the Texan cause. Hopes local Indians [Cherokees?] will also supply men to fight the Mexican invaders. Link to document
Texas. Permanent Council. Journal of the Council, October 11-27, 1835. The council met at San Felipe. The footnotes to this material have the texts of several documents relating to the work of the council. Link to document
Peter W. Grayson to Stephen F. Austin, October 11, 1835. Notifies Austin of his election as commander-in-chief of the volunteer forces at Gonzales. Link to document
Stephen F. Austin to the Committee of Public Safety at San Felipe, October 11, 1835. Announces the beginning of the march to San Antonio. Link to document)
Stephen F. Austin. Order Book, October 11-November 24, 1835. Orders having to do with Austin's role as commander-in-chief (with the rank of general) of the army of Texas during this period. Link to document
Stephen F. Austin. General Order No. 1, October 11, 1835. Appoints officers and gives rationale for taking up arms. Link to document
Martin Perfecto de Cos. Message to troops, October 13, 1835. Castigates the Texan rebels; predicts victory over them. Link to document)
William H. Jack to Stephen F. Austin, October 13, 1835. Congratulates Austin on his appointment as commander; advises caution in the campaign. Link to document
Stephen F. Austin. General Order, October 14, 1835. Concerns disciplinary rules. Link to document
[George Fisher.] Statement in the New Orleans Bee, October 14, 1835. Written in the third person as a report on a meeting of a committee of New Orleans citizens supporting the Texan cause. At the meeting, Fisher stated that "the aristocratic party are resolved to subjugate Texas" and that, should Texas fail in its effort to restore the Constitution of 1824, all Mexico will suffer despotic rule. Claims that Santa Anna has long planned a campaign to drive the American settlers out of Texas. Link to document
William T. Austin. Account of the siege and battle of San Antonio, October-December, 1835. Author, a participant in the events, wrote the account in 1844. There are several documents within this lengthy text. Account begins just after the Battle of Gonzales. Link to document
Samuel Maverick. Account of the siege and battle of San Antonio, September -December, 1835. Entries from the author's diary. Link to document
Creed Taylor. Tall Men with Long Rifles: The Glamorous Story of the Texas Revolution (1935). Memoir, written about 1900. In this excerpt, author tells of his participation in the march from Gonzales to San Antonio and the siege and battle there, October-December, 1835. Link to document
Texas. Consultation. Journals of the Consultation Held at San Felipe de Austin, October 16-November 14, 1835. [This is a pdf file, requiring that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader to access it. If you do not, it may be possible to download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Internet.] Link to document
Col. Gregorio Gomez. Call to arms to inhabitants of Santa Ana, Tamaulipas, October 17, 1835. Urged that they join the fight against the rebels in Texas. Link to document
Stephen F. Austin to Martin Perfecto de Cos, October 17, 1835. Sent from the encampment at Cibolo Creek east of San Antonio. Offers the Mexican commandant at San Antonio a truce. Link to document
B. J. White to Stephen F. Austin, October 17, 1835. Writes of an attempted uprising of slaves at or near Brazoria. Link to document
Texas. Permanent Council. Resolution concerning suspect land grants, adopted October 18, 1835. Sam Houston moved the adoption of the resolution. Voided land grants made by the congress of Coahuila and Texas since 1833, as they were purchased "under the most suspicious circumstances." [Seems to include all grants but this not clearly stated.] [Scroll down to the document.] Link to document
Texas. Permanent Council. Resolution relating to Indians claims to lands, [October 18, 1835]. Authorizes appointment of commissioners to go to the Indian villages to consult about grievances, etc. [Scroll down to the document.] Link to document
Martin Perfecto de Cos to Stephen F. Austin, October 18, 1835. The Mexican commandant at San Antonio rejects offer of truce; castigates Austin as a traitor. Link to document
Martin Perfecto do Cos to Jose Maria Tornel, October 19, 1835. Spanish commandant reports to the Mexican minister of war about his situation in San Antonio. Makes reference to the "perfidious colonists of Texas." [In Spanish.] Link to document
Stephen F. Austin to the San Felipe Committee of Public Safety, October 19, 1835. States that the army will move to within five miles of San Antonio, whose citizens "are well affected to our cause." [The document is titled, "Austin to Committee 19 Oct 1835."] Link to document
George Fisher to Stephen F. Austin, October 20, 1835. Says that "the cause of constitutional liberty and of Federation has warm friends in the interior," but that they are oppressed by the military." The New Orleans committee of Texan supporters is sending men and weapons to Austin's volunteer army. Has heard that more than 2,000 Americans are on their way to Texas or will be soon. Does not believe that Mexican forces will attack Texas in the near future. Link to document
Philip Dimmitt to Stephen F. Austin, October 20, 1835. Reports from Goliad a Mexican deserter's story that the troops in San Antonio are ready to desert to the Texans. Gives other details about the defense of Bexar. Link to document
Stephen F. Austin to James Bowie, October 22, 1835. Order to proceed to Espada and San Jose missions. Bowie and James W. Fannin should try to procure corn, make effort to retain possession of one of the missions. [This is the second document on the screen.] Link to document
Stephen F. Austin to Philip Dimmitt, October 22, 1835. Orders him to hold his position at Goliad; requests him to send food to the volunteers at San Antonio. States that taking San Antonio "will close the campaign." Notes that Juan Seguin is recruiting a company of Tejanos to fight the invaders. Link to document
James Bowie and James W. Fannin to Stephen F. Austin, October 22, 1835. Reports the taking of Mission Espada. Link to document
Stephen F. Austin to the San Felipe Committee of Public Safety, October 24, 1835. Reports that he is beginning the investment of San Antonio. Predicts that the army will reduce it within a few days if reinforcements arrive; calls for such. Link to document
Augustus Jones to James W. Fannin, October 25, 1835. Jones writes from Goliad to Fannin outside San Antonio. Will send requested goods, horses, etc. Needs to see Stephen F. Austin to report condition of affairs at Goliad. Link to document
Stephen F. Austin to the San Felipe Committee of Public Safety, October 26, 1835. Reports intended move of his main force to the missions south of San Antonio, then, when possible, pressing the attack on the town. Has 400 effective men; Cos, 800-900. Notes that his health is very bad. Link to document
Moses Austin Bryan to James and Emily Perry, October 26, 1835. Notes that his uncle, Stephen F. Austin, has stated in a speech that the salvation of Texas depends on sustaining his army and on the meeting of the Convention at San Felipe. Link to document
R. R. Royall to James Blount, October 27, 1835. President of the Permanent Council transmits Council resolution shutting down all land offices until the upcoming Consultation can investigate charges that certain person are appropriating land rightfully belonging to soldiers in the field. [Probably the same resolution that was adopted on October 18.] [Click on image to enlarge.] Link to document
Stephen F. Austin to James Bowie, October 27, 1835. Orders him to proceed with James W. Fannin and troops to a position on the San Antonio River from which they could reconnoiter the outskirts of the town. Link to document
James Bowie and James W. Fannin to Stephen F. Austin, October 28, 1835. Report on the Battle of Concepcion. Link to document
Moses Austin Bryan to James F. Perry, October 28, 1835. Describes the Battle of Concepcion. Link to document
George Huff and Spencer Jack to the San Felipe Committee of Public Safety, October 28, 1835. Accuses Sam Houston of desiring the defeat of the Texan army. Link to document
Jose Antonio Mexia to the Consultation, October 29, 1835. Announces that he is actively joining the Federalist resistance to Centralist rule in Mexico. Will soon make an assault on Tampico. Link to document
Philip Dimmitt to Stephen F. Austin, October 30, 1835 [with an addendum dated October 31]. Commander at Goliad notifies Austin of unauthorized departure of some men for San Antonio and of an Indian attack upon them. Link to document
Stephen F. Austin to James Bowie and James W. Fannin, October 31, 1835. Reports that he has taken a position a mile from San Antonio. Has declined proposition to attack the town by night. [Does not say exactly where the position is, but probably to the northeast.] Link to document
James Bowie to Martin Perfecto de Cos, October 31, 1835. Offers truce. Link to document
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