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Battle of Gonzales

October 2, 1835

On the banks of the Guadalupe River just few miles outside of Gonzales.

Battle of GonzalesColonel Domingo Urgartechea

Lieutenant Francisco Castaneda

vs.

Colonel John Henry Moore

Alcalde Andrew Ponton

Battle of GonzalesBackstory…In 1831, the Mexican government gave the Texas

settlers a cannon to help protect themselves from frequent Indian raids.

In June of 1835, Travis rebelled at Anahuac. Some communities supported Travis. Gonzalez declared their loyalty to President Santa Anna and his centralist government. In September, a Mexican soldier beat a Gonzalez resident, leading to outrage and public protests.

Battle of Gonzales Mexico was concerned that the cannon given

to Texans to protect against Indian raids might get used on the Mexican Army, so they wanted it back. Urgartecha sent Castaneda and 100 troops to collect the cannon avoiding the use of force if possible.

Battle of Gonzales Andrew Ponton (a Mexican official who was

the acting mayor of Gonzalez) ordered that the ferry and all boats be removed from the river bank while he buried the cannon. He refused to hand over the cannon. The delay allowed the Texans time to gather reinforcements.

Battle of Gonzales The Mexicans moved camp upriver. On the

night of October 1, 1835, the Texans crossed the river and followed the Mexican Army. At 3:00 in the morning shots were fired by both sides.

Battle of Gonzales After the sun came up and the fog cleared, Colonel

Moore met with Castaneda and invited him to join the revolution. (John Henry Moore and the settlers wanted the Mexican Government and Army to honor the Constitution of 1824. Castaneda revealed that he shared the same feelings but was duty bound to follow orders.) Castaneda refused and both men returned to their respective posts.

Battle of Gonzales When these requests were not met, the

Texans fired on the Mexican Army raising the white “Come and Take It” flag. The Mexican retreated to San Antonio.