If you get a chance to tour the Spanish Missions of Texas, don't overlook Presidio La Bahia near Goliad where one of the bloodiest sites in the fight for Texas Independence took place. Following the fall of the Alamo, part of Santa Anna's army attacked Colonel Fannin's men at Goliad. Then, after the battle of Coleto Creek on March 19 and 20, Fannin was forced to surrender. He and his men were promised fair treatment and parole for their surrender. However, Santa Anna ordered that all of these men were to be shot. On Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836, the unknowing Texas prisoners were marched out to the river where they believed they would be released. As they arrived at the river, the Mexican army turned on them and massacred them. The army returned to the compound and brought out the sick and wounded. They were lined up along the chapel wall and shot. Lastly, Colonel Fannin was brought out and seated in a chair. He was given a chance to issue last words, blindfolded and then shot. (Fannin had only requested that he not be shot in the face, his belongings sent to his family, and be given a Christian burial. He was then shot in the face, his effects looted by the Mexican soldiers, and he was tossed into the burning pile of bodies.) Only a few Texans were spared as physicians, orderlies and interpreters. After the executions, the bodies were burned, the remains left exposed to weather, vultures, and coyotes, until June 3, 1836, when Gen. Thomas J. Rusk, who had established his headquarters at Victoria after San Jacinto and was passing through Goliad in pursuit of Gen. Vicente Filisola's retreating army, gathered the remains and buried them with military honors. Some of the survivors attended the ceremony. This was the single largest loss of life for Texas independence, and more than double the casualties at the Alamo and San Jacinto combined.
The Fannin Memorial
After undergoing several restorations (one after a major hurricane), the mission is well maintained within a state park. Mass is held every Sunday in the little chapel. In 1946, Antonio Garcia painted the Mexican Annunciation fresco. Garcia has been called the Michelangelo of South Texas. You can't see the detail in this picture, but the angel Gabriel has six toes on each foot.
3 comments:
This is a terrific history lesson, Pattie. I never knew this. Thanks for the pictures and the story.
Ronni
Having grown up in Houston, I know the names Fannin and Rusk; they are downtown streets. I also vaguely remember Goliad's place in Texas independence. Your lesson put them together for me, filling in one of the many gaps in my knowledge of Texas history.
I've seen all of the missions in San Antonio, many of which are more architecturally impressive - and intact - than the Alamo. They're well worth a visit. Perhaps I'll make it to Goliad someday.
Happy Texas Independence Day 2008 (okay, I am a little late!)
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