Battle of Coleto Creek,

19-20 March 1836

By John Pezzola

On 19-20 MARCH 1836, An Engagement was fought between the army of Col. James Fannin—commander of Texan Revolutionary forces—and Mexican Centralist forces under Col. José de Urrea’s command. Th e ensuing campaign was rooted in Col. Fannin’s effort to relieve the besieged Texan forces under Lt. Col. William Barret Travis and Col. James Bowie at the Alamo. Nevertheless, Fannin had to suspend his relief effort and was eventually ordered by Gen. Sam Houston, the Texan forces’ overall commander, to retreat with his army to Victoria. Th e campaign culminated with the Battle of Coleto Creek (Battle of the Prairie) and the massacre of Fannin’s command at Goliad on Palm Sunday.

Following Moses Austin’s death, Stephen F. Austin—the son of Moses Austin—was instrumental in carrying out his father’s plans to colonize the territory. In the 1830s, Texas was a part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas, and its inhabitants were known as Texans. Under the Constitution of 1824, Coahuila y Tejas—or Texas—was considered a federal republic and given a seat in the state legislature at Saltillo. Th e Anglo-American immigrants, known as Texians and the Tejanos (those of Mexican descent)—were under the governing power of Mexico and, thereby, viewed as citizens of that country.

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Mediterranean Empires

Struggle for the Mediterranean

in the High Middle Ages

Strategy & Tactics, Issue #330 Magazine available!

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Articles:

  • Mediterranean Empires: Struggle for the Mediterranean: in the High Middle Ages During the second half of the 13th century, the Aragonese intervention in the Sicilian rebellion marked the beginning of a centuries-long struggle for the Mediterranean. Although the Aragonese did not have the abundant economic resources of their enemies, they put an emphasis in the quality and superior seamanship of their sailors and combatants.
  • Battle of Coleto Creek: 19–20 March 1836: The campaign to relieve the Alamo culminated with the Battle of Coleto Creek and the massacre of most of the survivors at nearby Goliad, as had occurred at the Alamo. This resulted in the Texan battle-cry, “Remember the Alamo, remember Goliad.”
  • Chosin: The Marines’ Inspiring Leadership: following their success in the Pacific War, the Marines would prove their effectiveness again during the next conflict, delivering outstanding Korean War performances. Under the leadership of inspiring officers like Oliver P. Smith and Chesty Puller, the Marines in Korea added another chapter to their glorious history.
  • Battles for East Prussia: Tannenberg & the First Battle of the Masurian Lakes: First battles in any war say more about the condition of a peacetime military of a nation than later battles fought between veteran forces. Pre-war military thinkers predicted a short and vicious war of maneuver. This proved to be a vain hope on the Western Front, but these predictions proved correct in East Prussia.

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