Goliad Massacre: Victory from Defeat

"General José de Urrea (1797-1849) was commanding the troops who had defeated the forces of Texian Colonel James W. Fannin (1804-1836) at the Battle of Coleto (19-20 March 1836) and was in charge of the prisoners between then and 27 March, but Urrea disagreed with Santa Anna's policy of executing prisoners of war and so left it to his senior staff, chiefly Colonel José Nicolás de las Portilla, to deal with the prisoners."

"At Goliad, however, although Urrea ordered Portilla to treat the prisoners well (especially Fannin), Portilla chose to follow Santa Anna's directive and had the Texian prisoners executed. Out of the 350-400, 28 survived by feigning death or managing to escape, others were rescued by Francita Alavez, the "Angel of Goliad," and another 20 were spared because they were considered useful to the cause of the Mexican army as doctors, interpreters, or laborers."

"The Goliad Massacre and the Battle of the Alamo would become central to the victory of General Sam Houston (1795-1863) over Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto on 21 April 1836. Rallying his men with the cry, "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!", Houston won the battle in 18 minutes and, in so doing, won the independence of Texas."

Mexican forces executed between 350 and 400 Texian prisoners at Goliad on 27 March 1836 under orders from President and General Antonio López de Santa Anna. General José de Urrea commanded the troops that captured Colonel James W. Fannin's force and opposed the execution policy, placing prisoners under guard and sending many to Matamoros. Colonel José Nicolás de las Portilla followed Santa Anna's directive at Goliad, resulting in most prisoners being shot; 28 escaped by feigning death, Francita Alavez rescued others, and about 20 were spared for useful skills. The massacre, together with the Alamo, galvanized Texian forces and helped lead to Sam Houston's victory at San Jacinto on 21 April 1836.

Read at World History Encyclopedia