Gail Bordens

Today in Texas History On the trail to Texas independence. Mar 11, 1836 - General Sam Houston arrives at Gonzales, Texas to take command of the Texas Army. He received word of the fall of the Alamo and would shortly learn of the defeat at Goliad. Houston sent his aide-de-camp, Alexander Horton, to San Felipe de Austin to spread the word. San Felipe was the nearest large town and home to the publisher Baker & Bordens. The publisher served a vital role during the Revolution by printing the majority of documents in 1835–36. These publications were the primary way official information was communicated to the people. The Standing Committee for San Felipe de Austin prepared this address announcing the Alamo's fate. The report called on the people to unite and fight back. "All—all, must be satisfied of the necessity as well as importance of making a desperate defence in support of their lives, fortunes, and sacred liberty. It is confidently hoped that none ... will prove [cowardly], but, like men and freemen, maintain all at the point of the bayonet." With 374 men, Houston began a 41 day retreat (precipitating the Runaway Scrape), recruitment and training mission. Houston orders Fannin to fall back from Goliad and retreat to Victoria. General Joaquín Ramírez y Sesma departs San Antonio for Gonzales. Pictures: General Sam Houston, Gonzales, Alexander Horton, Gail Bordens, Colonel James Fannin, Goliad, the Runaway Scrape