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Greg Casaretto

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Greg Casaretto

March 23, 2024 11:23 am

Today in Texas History On the trail to Texas independence. Mar 23, 1836 – Lt Col William Ward surrenders after attempting to fall back to Victoria.... View MoreToday in Texas History On the trail to Texas independence. Mar 23, 1836 – Lt Col William Ward surrenders after attempting to fall back to Victoria. William Ward and about 85 men of the Georgia Battalion, having surrendered, were marched as prisoners of war to Victoria by the Mexicans to formalize the surrender with General José de Urrea. Again, it was understood by the Americans that, if they surrendered, they would be returned to Copano and thence to New Orleans, or be detained as prisoners of war and be exchanged. Urrea gave instructions also for all the forces with which he was to continue the campaign to join him in Victoria, bringing the captured artillery and the corresponding ammunition. Among the instructions given on this day, he ordered that a thorough investigation be undertaken to determine the views and principal aims that moved the officers who are our prisoners to take up arms. Lt. Colonel Nicolas de la Portilla was placed in charge of James W. Fannin, Jr. and his men during their imprisonment at La Bahía (Goliad). Santa Anna, in a letter to Portilla, informs him that some of the captured men are to be kept in Victoria as servants, while Ward and the rest of the Georgia Battalion are to be transferred to Goliad. Houston, on the east bank of the Colorado River. Below is an account of the day: "Headquarters, Camp near Beason‘s, March 23, 1836: Dear Fellow Texians, Word has been received this day that Fannin finally began his retreat on Saturday last (the 19th). His command was attacked by the Mexican Army before sundown. The battle continued into the night, and the result is not known. If what is heard is true, his ill luck is based in an attempt to begin his retreat in daylight in the face of superior force. He is an ill-fated man. The express also states that Col. Ward’s command had not returned and their situation is likewise not known. Spies have been dispatched to obtain more information. Besides the Beason crossing, the army controls the upper Colorado crossing at Mosley's with 200 men and the lower Colorado crossing at Atascosito. There are upwards to 700 men in camp and not one on the sick list. There is good order and discipline among our troops. Today a wagon, with arms, ammunitions and other goods arrived. It is much needed and the men were joyous. Captured enemy soldiers report that General Sesma has from 500 to 600 men, 150 cavalry and two small artillery. His troops are badly clad and the state of the weather such as to render them almost ineffectual due to the cold. However, they are building a boat with the intention of crossing. Respectfully yours, Alexander Horton, aide-de-camp" Later in the day, Houston will learn of Fannin’s capture and makes the decision to fall back further to the east. The Lone Star Republic -Don Gray, reporting from Victoria, Texas, March 23, 1836 SURVIVORS OF THE GEORGIA BATTALION SURRENDER TO GENERAL URREA Today Major William Ward and the 79 survivors of his Georgia Battalion of the Texas Army surrendered to 1,000 Mexican troops under the command of Mexican General Jose Urrea after several shots were first exchanged. The Georgia Battalion was out of ammunition and had no means to offer resistance. They were captured while trying to hide near the banks of the Guadalupe River near Victoria. Ward said his men had followed the coastline after slipping out of Refugio on the night of March 14 in hopes of joining Col. James Fannin’s troops and the main Texas Army near Goliad or Victoria. Ward reported that he heard shooting on the afternoon of March 19 near Coleto Creek but could not reach the battlefield. Ward later found out that the shooting was the Battle of Coleto Creek where Col. Fannin and 250 of his men surrendered. On March 13, Fannin ordered Ward and the Georgia Battalion to go to the aid of Amon B. King's and his company, who were besieged in the Nuestra Señora del Refugio Mission in Refugio. Although successful in breaking up the siege on the 13th, the arrival of Ward at Refugio initiated a conflict over command between the two officers. This in-fighting caused the insurgents to break into several smaller detachments. King elected to leave the mission and attack a nearby ranch, believed to be Santa Anna supporters. Ward was left defending the Mission. When Mexican forces neared 1,500 and thus became overwhelming, the Georgia Battalion fled the battle during the night. The Georgia Battalion was formed in the fall of 1835. Ward recruited 120 men from Milledgeville, Columbus, and Macon, Georgia. From these 120 men, he formed them into three companies. With the use of the Georgia State arsenal, he personally armed, supplied, and booked passage for them to Texas at his own expense. Ward passed through Georgia to New Orleans adding recruits along the way, numbering 220 by the time they set sail for Texas. James Fannin, a Georgian himself, personally met the group in Velasco, Texas (located on the eastside of the mouth of the Brazos River), on December 20, 1835. Many of the battalion’s members hail from prominent Georgia families. The battalion landed was a key unit in Col. Fannin’s command. The battle at Refugio was the battalion’s only fighting before their capture. -Don Gray

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