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The Alamo
Santa Anna's troops arrived at The Alamo and laid siege to the city. The 182 or 183 Texians were severely outnumbered by the Mexican troops, but refused to back down. Their cries for reinforcements were not answered. On March 6, Santa Anna ordered an attack just before dawn. Seven Texian men were still alive at the end of the fighting. However Santa Anna ordered them killed against the advice of his officers. A few women, children, and a slave were allowed to leave to spread word of the loss. -
Texas Declaration of Independence
When the Convention of 1836 met, Convention President Richard Ellis, appointed a committee including George Childress to draft a new Declaration of Independence. Childress wrote the Declaration with little input from the other members. Since it was ready the following day, many believe Childress already had the draft with him when he arrived at the convention. The Republic of Texas was officially declared and each of the 59 delegates approved it over the next few days. -
The "Twin Sisters"
The privateer Flash, delivered to Morgan's Point, two six-pound cannon, forged in Cincinnati by citizens who wanted to aid the Texan cause. The cannons played an important part in the Battle of San Jacinto, which ended the Texas Revolution. The Flash also picked up refugees, including 3 cabinet officers, President Burnet's family, and Vice-President Lorenzo de Zavala and his family.The rescue was successful. -
The Battle of San Jacinto
Sam Houston turned his army south to meet Santa Anna's troops on the battle field. The Mexican army was not prepared and a lot of their troops were asleep when the attack finally began around 3:30 in the afternoon. It took 18 minutes for the Texans to have Santa Anna's camp under their control. 630 Mexicans were dead and 730 were captured while the Texans lost 2 and had 6 fatally wounded. Santa Anna was captured and Houston kept him alive as a bartering chip. -
The Treaties of Velasco
Santa Anna signed two peace treaties with interim Texas president David G. Burnet. The public treaty had 10 articles, including that hostilities would end between Texas and Mexico, Mexico would return property they had confiscated, and the prisoners would be returned by both sides. The secret treaty had an additional 6 articles, including Santa Anna's promise to use his influence to secure Mexican recognition of Texas' Independence. -
First Election of the Republic
Sam Houston received 5119 of a possible 6449 votes making him the first president of the Republic of Texas. Mirabeau Lamar was elected vice president. Texas voters also elected their first congress and endorsed the constitution that had been written in March. They also voted 3277 to 91 in support of annexation to the United States. -
Inauguration of Lamar/Farewell Address of Houston
Seizing his last chance to defend his administration, Sam Houston showed up at the Inauguration of the second president of the Republic Lamar and gave a 3 hour farewell address. He exaggerated how successful his presidency had been. At the end of the 3 hours, Lamar was so upset, he couldn't give his own inaugural address.His private secretary read it in his place. -
Austin Established as Capital
Adding to the large debt that Texas already had, in 1839, Lamar called for the capital of Texas to be moved to a hamlet on the Colorado River called Waterloo. Congress had already chosen to name the new capital Austin. The government officially arrived from Houston on October 17, 1839. -
Council House Massacre
33 Penateka chiefs and warriors and 33 women and children arrived at the Council House in San Antonio. They brought with them several Mexican children and one Anglo girl. The Texans were angry since they had expected all of the captives to be brought with the Natives, but the main peace chief Muk-wah-ruh said he didn't have the power to bring the other captives. The Texans told the Natives that they were going to hold them hostage. A chief then stabbed a commander. 35 Comanches were killed. -
Sante Fe Expedition Leaves Austin
General Hugh McLeod led 321 soldiers, merchants, and adventurers left on an expedition to Santa Fe. The expedition wanted to break the ties between the people of Sant Fe and Mexico. If they could not accomplish this, they still hoped to be able to establish trade with the residents. When they arrived on October 5, Mexican officers were waiting on them. They were forced to march to Mexico City. When they arrived, the survivors were imprisoned. -
Texas Navy Leaves Galveston for Yucatan
The Republic of Texas had entered into a treaty with Yucatecan rebels earlier in 1841. In December, Commodore Moore left Galveston with 3 ships to protect Yucatan from any invasion by Mexico. In exchange for this service, the rebels would pay the Navy $8000 per month. -
Second Inauguration of Sam Houston
While no one could serve two terms as President in a row, there was nothing preventing someone from running for a second term after someone else served. In September 1841, Sam Houston was elected as president for the second time. He was inaugurated in December of that year. -
San Antonio Captured by Mexico
For the second time in the year, San Antonio was captured by Mexican forces. Unlike the first time in March 1842, General Adrian Woll's invasion was able to hold the city longer than 2 days. The army was lured into a battle at Salado Creek. The Mexicans were defeated, but the Texans allowed them to go back to Mexico on September 18. -
Treaty of Annexation
Secretary of State John Calhoun signed the Treaty of Annexation for Texas after completing negotiations. Under the terms of the treaty, Texas would enter the union as a territory and not a state. The US would own all of the public lands and property of Texas along with the debt up to $10 million. This treaty was defeated by the US Senate on June 8, 1844. -
Texas Admission Act
The Texas Admission Act allowed Texas to enter the Union as a state instead of a territory. Unlike the rest of the United States, Texas would retain its public lands and its public debt. All public buildings, weapons, and military establishments would belong to the US. President James Polk signed this act officially accepting Texas into the Union.
