11-04 Nicolás Rodríguez

Today in Texas HistoryOn the trail to Texas independence.Nov 4, 1835 - The Battle of Lipantitlán ends with the surrender of the Mexican troops. The commander of Fort Lipantitlán, Nicolás Rodríguez, expected the Texians to take a direct route. His men patrolled the northern approaches to the fort. Westover's men instead approached from the east, eluding the Mexican patrols. Five miles (8 km) from San Patricio, Westover received word that Rodríguez was searching for the Texians. As the rest of the Texians prepared for a dawn assault, two San Patricio residents wandered into their camp. Westover arrested one of them, James O'Riley, for "aiding and assisting the enemy". In exchange for his liberty, O'Riley offered to persuade the Mexican garrison to surrender. Historians have no records of what methods O'Riley used, but by 11 pm the Mexican soldiers had surrendered, without a shot fired. They were released immediately as long as they promised not to fight again during the Texas Revolution. The Texians captured the two 4-lb (1.8-kg) cannons, 18 muskets, and 3–4 pounds (1.4–1.8 kg) of powder. They also released several Texians who had been held prisoner in the fort. Nicolás Rodríguez had gone looking for the Texians, but one of his spies at the fort caught up with him and his men. After being told of the “attack”, he turned around and headed back to the fort. The Texians used a small canoe to transport men across the Nueces River, and when the Mexican soldiers were sighted only half of the Texian force had crossed to the east bank of the river. As the Mexican soldiers attacked, the Texians took cover in a grove of trees. The trees prevented the cavalry from approaching, so Rodriguez's men dismounted and attempted to attack from both sides. The Texian rifles had a much longer range than the Mexican Brown Bess muskets—200 yards (180 m) compared to 70 yards (64 m). After 30 minutes of fighting, the Mexicans withdrew.The Lone Star Republic-Don Gray, reporting from San Antonio de Bexar, Texas, November 4, 1835STEPHEN F. AUSTIN EXPRESSES CONCERN AT SAN ANTONIO DE BEXARCommander-in-Chief Stephen F. Austin complained today about his army at Bexar to the provisional government of Texas that "This force, it is known to all, is but an undisciplined militia and in some respects of very discordant materials." He followed this note with a strong plea that "In the name of Almighty God, send no more ardent spirits to this camp!" The soldiers currently fighting near Bexar are volunteers who joined the army to accomplish a specific task and staunchly maintained their right to elect their own leaders. Austin is clearly tiring of their disobedience to his commands. -Don GrayPortrait: Nicolás Rodríguez.