Texas Day by Day

On this day in 1832, the Mexican fort at Velasco surrendered to Texas colonists in the battle of Velasco, probably the first occasion of bloodshed in relations between Texas and Mexico. Between 100 and 150 Texans, under the command of Henry Smith and John Austin, had gone to Brazoria to secure a cannon for use against Mexican forces at Anahuac; Domingo de Ugartechea, commander of the fort at Velasco, tried to prevent the passage of their vessel. As a result of the ensuing eleven-hour battle, one writer called Velasco the "Boston harbor of the Texas Revolution." The estimated 91 to 200 Mexicans under Ugartechea were forced to surrender when their ammunition was exhausted. A conservative estimate of casualties suggests that seven Texans were killed and fourteen wounded, of whom three later died, while the Mexicans suffered five killed and sixteen wounded. Final terms allowed Ugartechea to surrender with honor and return to Mexico aboard a ship furnished by the Texans. The final document of surrender was signed by Texas representatives William H. Wharton and William J. Russell.