Weather: low 76 degrees, high 87 degrees, cloudy, 20 to 30 mph winds
It was so windy today that according to a comedian on TV, we are in danger of over harvesting it and will run out by the year 2040...... Well, I can't think of anything to compare the wind to, but I'm glad we weren't on the road with the RV.
We took a trip down to Goliad today. Carolyn was feeling good, and we try to take advantage of those times to get out and about. Goliad was important in the history of the Texas Revolution, and a lot of important events happened down there.
The event that the town is remembered for the most is that Colonel James Fannin and his men surrendered to the Mexican Army in 1836, about two weeks after the Battle of the Alamo. Believing that the Mexicans had promised honorable terms of surrender, including safe passage, the Texans gave up their arms, only to be executed on Palm Sunday, March of 1836. About 342 men were killed, and the battle cry "Remember Goliad" was added to the battle cry "Remember the Alamo". After the Texans were killed, their bodies were stripped and partly burned, then left unburied. In June of 1836, after winning independence, the Texas Army returned to Goliad and buried the remains of the massacred prisoners.
A monument was erected over the mass grave by the state.
The number of people killed at Goliad would have been higher except for the fact several men survived by acting as though they were dead. Others ran and swam across the San Antonio River to survive. More were saved by the actions of Francisca Alavez, known as the Angel of Goliad, including doctors that were present with the Texans.
The Texans were captured when the Mexican Army caught up with them at the Battle of Coleto Creek. A monument has been erected just outside the small community of Fannin.
When news of the massacre reached the Texas forces, it outraged them. I wonder if the massacre stiffened their resolve to overthrow Santa Anna and gain independence for the new nation? I think it's significant to note that when the Texans surprised and defeated Santa Anna's army at San Jacinto, they didn't kill their prisoners. When Santa Anna was caught wearing a woman's clothes, they could have executed him. Instead, three weeks later, he signed an agreement to have all Mexican forces leave Texas. That contributed to Texas becoming a sovereign, independent nation.
Whew! That was a lot of history covered in a few minutes. It seems every time I see something new here in Texas, I learn something about the history of the state. Could it be that their history helps explain the swagger that Texans have?
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Goliad, Texas: Birthplace Of Texas Ranching
Not all who wander are lost.
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