- Presidio La Bahía
Infobox_nrhp2 | name =Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía
nrhp_type =
nhl = yes
caption = Presidio La Bahia today
nearest_city=Goliad, Texas
lat_degrees = 28
lat_minutes = 38
lat_seconds = 48
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 97
long_minutes = 22
long_seconds = 54
long_direction = W
locmapin = Texas
area =
built =1749
architect= Unknown
architecture= No Style Listed
designated_nhl=December 24 ,1967 cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=754&ResourceType=Building|title=Presidio Nuestra Senora De Loreto De La Bahia |accessdate=2008-06-25|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added =December 24 ,1967 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
governing_body = Private
refnum=67000024The Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía, known more commonly as Presidio La Bahia, or simply La Bahia is located in
Goliad, Texas ,United States . Originally founded in 1721 on the ruins of the failed French Fort Saint Louis, the presidio was moved to a location on theGuadalupe River in 1726. In 1747, the presidio and its mission were moved to their current location on theSan Antonio River . By 1770, the presidio had been rebuilt in stone and had become ""the only Spanish fortress for the entire Gulf Coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande to the Mississippi River".Roell (1994), p. 15.] A civilian settlement, modern-day Goliad, sprang up around the presidio in the late 18th century, and the area was one of the three most important inSpanish Texas .The presidio was captured by insurgents twice during the
Mexican War of Independence , by theRepublican Army of the North in 1813 and by theLong Expedition in 1821. Each time the insurgents were later defeated by Spanish troops. By the end of 1821 Texas became part of the newly formedRepublic of Mexico . La Bahia was one of the two major garrisons inMexican Texas and lay halfway betweenSan Antonio de Béxar (the political center of Texas) andCopano Bay , the major port in Texas. In October 1835, days after the beginning of theTexas Revolution , a group ofTexian insurgents marched on La Bahia. After a 30-minute battle, the Mexican garrison surrendered and the Texians gained control of the presidio, which they soon renamed Fort Defiance.During the
siege of the Alamo , Texian commanderWilliam B. Travis several times asked La Bahia commanderJames Fannin to bring reinforcements. Although Fannin and his men attempted a relief mission, they abandoned the attempt the following day. After the fall of the Alamo, GeneralSam Houston ordered Fannin to abandon La Bahia. He did so onMarch 19 , but took a leisurely path and the La Bahia garrison was captured and imprisoned in the presidio. OnMarch 27 the Texian captives were marched from the presidio and executed, in an event known as theGoliad Massacre .Today, La Bahia is the best-preserved Spanish
presidio in theUnited States .Origins
Although Spain claimed control over the area now known as
Texas , until the late 17th century the province was largely ignored. [Chipman (1992), p. 26.] In an attempt to take advantage of Spain's disinterest, in 1685 France authorizedRobert de La Salle to organize a colony in the area betweenNew Spain andFlorida . Although La Salle intended to locate his colony along theMississippi River , poor maps and improper navigation decisions led the colonists to instead land nearMatagorda Bay inSpanish Texas .Weber (1992), p. 149.] Believing the French colony was a threat to Spanish mines and shipping routes, Spanish King Carlos II's Council of War recommended that "Spain needed swift action 'to remove this thorn which has been thrust into the heart of America. The greater the delay the greater the difficulty of attainment.'"Weber (1992), p. 149.] After several years of searching, a Spanish expedition finally located the site of Fort Saint Louis in early 1689. Several months earlier,Karankawa Indians had destroyed the fort, killing most of the colonists.Chipman (1992), p. 83.] The Spanish expedition burned the remains of the French fort and buried the French cannons.Weber (1992), p. 153.]The leader of the expedition,
Alonso De León , recommended that Spanish authorities establishpresidio s along theRio Grande , theFrio River , and theGuadalupe River . Due to a shortage of funds, the Spanish government chose not to establish any presidios.Chipman (1992), p. 88.] From 1691 until 1693 several Spanish missions struggled inEast Texas , but they finally failed, leaving Texas again ignored by Spain.Weber (1992), p. 155.]In the subsequent decades France established a presence in Louisiana, causing the Spanish to fear that France could become a threat to other Spanish areas.Weber (1992), pp. 159–160.] In 1716, Spain re-established missions in East Texas, this time accompanied by a presidio.Chipman (1992), p. 111.] Chipman (1992), p. 112.] After difficulties with France during the
War of the Quadruple Alliance in 1719–1720, Spain became determined to increase their military presence in Texas. [Weber (1992), pp. 165–166.] In 1721, theMarquis de San Miguel de Aguayo , governor of Texas and Coahuila, founded Presidio La Bahia on the site of the former French fort.Weber (1992), p. 168.] Nearby they established a mission, Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga (also known as La Bahia), for the Coco, Karankawa, and Cujane Indians. Ninety men were left at the garrison.Chipman (1992), p. 126.]The priests at the nearby mission were unable to find an effective means to convince the Karankawa to submit to mission life or Catholic teachings. In April 1725 they requested that the mission be moved to a more favorable location. The following year, both mission and presidio were relocated convert|26|mi|km inland, along the
Guadalupe River in what is now Victoria County.Roell (1994), p. 11.] For the next 23 years the mission and presidio remained in this location.Roell (1994), p. 12.]Establishment on the San Antonio River
In 1747, the Spanish government sent
José de Escandón to inspect the northern frontier of the North American colonies. Escandón assigned La Bahia's captain, Joaquín Prudencio de Orobio y Basterra, to evaluateSouth Texas . On reading Orobio's report, Escandón recommended that La Bahia be moved from its Guadalupe River location to the banks of theSan Antonio River , so that it would be more capable of assisting settlements along theRio Grande .Roell (1994), p. 13.] Both the presidio and the mission likely moved in October 1749. Escandón proposed that 25 Mexican families be relocated near the presidio to form a civilian settlement but was unable to find enough willing settlers.Roell (1994), p. 14.]In February 1750, the new presidio was under the command of Captain Manuel Ramírez de la Piszena. Piszena had personally paid for a stone house to be built for himself, and the 50 soldiers in the garrison lived either in a large barracks or in one of 40 temporary wood homes that had been built for those with families. A chapel had also been built for the presidio. The presidio was fortified with six 8-lb cannon. Soldiers alternated guard duty at the presidio and the mission; others were assigned to guard the presidio horses or to protect supply trains coming from the Rio Grande or
San Antonio de Béxar from attacks byLipan Apache raiding parties.With the conclusion of the
Seven Years War in 1767, France ceded Louisiana, and French claims to Texas, to Spain. [Weber (1992), p. 198.] With France no longer a threat to Spain's North American interests, the Spanish monarchy commissioned the Marquis de Rubi to inspect all of the presidios on the northern frontier of New Spain and make recommendations for the future.Chipman (1992), p. 173.] Rubi recommended that several presidios but closed, but that La Bahia be kept and rebuilt in stone. La Bahia was soon ""the only Spanish fortress for the entire Gulf Coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande to the Mississippi River".Roell (1994), p. 15.] The presidio now sat at the heart of several major trade and military routes. It quickly became one of the three most important areas in Texas, alongside Béxar and Nacogdoches. A civil settlement, now known as Goliad soon developed near the presidio. By 1804 the settlement had one of only two schools in Texas.Roell (1994), p. 19.]Mexican Revolution
The
Mexican War of Independence began in 1810 at the instigation ofMiguel Hidalgo . [Owsley (1997), p. 40.] At the end of November, Texas governorManuel María de Salcedo received notice that Hidalgo and his confederatesIgnacio Allende andJuan Aldama were expected to invade Texas, and that Salcedo was expected to capture them. [Almaráz (1971), p. 109.] OnJanuary 2 ,1812 , Salcedo summoned troops throughout Texas to Bexar, leaving La Bahia with a minimal force. [Almaráz (1971), p. 115.] Mexican revolutionaryBernardo Gutiérrez de Lara had been in the United States organizing support for the revolution. In early August 1812 his recruits, calling themselves theRepublican Army of the North , invaded Texas. [Almaráz (1971), p. 159.] In November, Salcedo led Spanish Army forces to the Guadalupe River to ambush the Republican Army of the North. One of the soldiers was captured, however, and revealed details of the ambush. The invading army turned south to avoid the trap and quickly captured Presidio La Bahia. Salcedo promptly began a siege of the fort. [Almaráz (1971), p. 164.] The siege lasted four months, with occasional skirmishes.Roell (1994), p. 20.] Unable to win a decisive victory, Salcedo lifted the siege onFebruary 19 ,1813 and turned towards San Antonio de Bexar. [Almaráz (1971), p. 168.] The rebels remained in control of the presidio until July or August 1813, whenJosé Joaquín de Arredondo led royalist troops in retaking all of Texas.Roell (1994), p. 21.] A member of the Republican Army of the North, Henry Perry, led forces back to Texas in 1817 and attempted to recapture La Bahia. The presidio was reinforced by soldiers from San Antonio, and Perry and his men were defeated onJune 18 near Coleto Creek.Roell (1994), p. 21.]La Bahia was again the target of invaders in 1821. After the United States and Spain signed the
Adams-Onís Treaty , giving all rights to Texas to Spain, many Americans were angry. OnOctober 4 , the 52 members of theLong Expedition captured La Bahia. Four days later, Colonel Ignacio Pérez arrived with troops from Bexar; Long surrendered.Roell (1994), p. 23.] By the end of 1821, Mexico had achieved its independence from Spain, and Texas became part of the newly created country. [Weber (1992), p. 300.]Texas Revolution
Battle of Goliad
By 1835, La Bahia was one of two major garrisons within
Mexican Texas , alongside the Alamo at Bexar.Scott (2003), p. 19.] Bexar was the political center of Texas, and La Bahia lay halfway between it and the major Texas port atCopano Bay .Scott (2003), p. 18.] Within days of the opening of theTexas Revolution in October 1835, members of the Texian militia in Matagorda decided to march on La Bahia to kidnap Mexican GeneralMartín Perfecto de Cos .Hardin (1994), p. 14.] Other Texas settlers flocked to the march, bringing the number ofTexian volunteers to approximately 125 men. Although the Texians learned that Cos had already departed La Bahia to travel to Bexar, they continued their march. Hardin (1994), p. 15.] Several of the Tejanos who lived near Goliad joined the Texian force, reporting that Colonel Juan López Sandoval commanded only 50 men, far fewer than the number necessary to defend the entire perimeter of the presidio.Hardin (1994), p. 16.] Scott (2000), p. 19.]In the pre-dawn hours of
October 10 , the Texians attacked the presidio. The Texians quickly hacked through a door on the north wall of the fortress and ran to the interior courtyard. Hearing the commotion, the Mexican soldiers had lined the walls to defend the fort.Scott (2000), p. 20.] The Mexican soldiers opened fire, hitting Samuel McCulloch, a freed slave, in the shoulder. Texians returned fire for approximately 30 min. During a pause in the fighting, a Texian spokesperson yelled out that the Texians would "massacre everyone of you, unless you come out immediately and surrender."Hardin (1994), p. 17.] The Mexican garrison immediately surrendered.Over the next several days, more Texian settlers joined the group at La Bahia.
Stephen F. Austin , the commander-in-chief of the newly formedTexian Army , ordered that 100 men remain at La Bahia, under the command of Philip Dimmitt, while the rest should join the Texian Army in marching on Cos's troops in Bexar. Texian troops confiscated the provisions they found at the fort. Although they found 300 muskets, most of them were broken and unable to be repaired. The food, clothing, blankets, and other provisions were valued at $10,000. For the next three months, the provisions were parcelled out among companies in the Texian Army.citation|last=Roell|first=Craig H.|title=Goliad Campaign of 1835|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/GG/qdg1.html|accessdate=2008-07-14|publisher=Handbook of Texas ] The Texians also gained control of several cannon.Scott (2000), p. 21.]Battle of the Alamo support
At some point, Colonel
James Fannin became the commander of the troops at La Bahia. He renamed the presidio Fort Defiance.Citation |last=Roell|first=Craig|title="Battle of Coleto"|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/CC/qec1.html|publisher=Handbook of Texas|accessdate=2008-07-15] In February 1836, PresidentAntonio López de Santa Anna led a large force ofMexican Army troops into Texas to quell the revolution. Santa Anna and part of his force entered Bexar onFebruary 23 and initiated asiege of the Alamo . Alamo commanderWilliam B. Travis immediately sent a courier to Fannin, asking him to provide reinforcements to the Alamo. [Nofi (1992), p. 78.] At first unable to make up his mind, Fannin finally decided to ride to the relief of the Alamo. Historian Robert Scott suggests that the trip was initiated after Fannin's objections were overridden by his officers.Scott (2000), p. 99.] On the morning of February 26, he set out with 320 men, 4 cannon, and several supply wagons for the convert|90|mi|km march from Goliad to the Alamo. The Goliad garrison had no horses to move the wagons and artillery and were forced to rely on oxen.Todish "et al" (1998), p. 44.] Barely convert|200|yd|m into their journey, one of the wagons broke down, and the expedition stopped for repairs.Edmondson (2000), p. 324.] The group then took six hours to cross the waist-deep water of the San Antonio River. By the time they reached the other side it was dark, and the men camped along the river. The cold front reached Goliad that evening, and the poorly-dressed soldiers were "quickly chilled and miserable" in the driving rain.Scott (2000), p. 100.] On awakening, Fannin realized that all of the Texian oxen had wandered off, and that his men had neglected to pack food for the journey.Edmondson (2000), p. 328.] It took most of the day for the men to round up the oxen; after two days of travel, Fannin's men had not even ventured convert|1|mi|km from their fort.Nofi (1992), p. 95.] In a letter to Acting Governor James Robinson, Fannin said that his officers approached him to ask that the rescue trip be cancelled, as they had received word that General Urrea's army was marching towards Goliad. The officers and men in the expedition claimed that Fannin decided on his own to abort the mission. Several of the men agreed with the decision, with Dr. Barnard writing in his journal, "With but three or four hundred men, mostly on foot, with but a limited supply of provisions, to march a distance of nearly one-hundred miles through uninhabited country for the purpose of relieving a fortress beleaguered by five-thousand men was madness!"Scott (2000), p. 101.]Goliad Massacre
After learning of the fall of the Alamo, General
Sam Houston ordered Fannin and his men to abandon La Bahia and fall back to Victoria. They began the retreat onMarch 19 , carrying with them nine pieces of artillery but little food or water. Fannin showed no signs of haste, and on the banks of Coleto Creek Mexican GeneralJosé de Urrea and his men attacked. Although the Texians initially repulsed the attacks, they soon ran out of water and Fannin surrendered.
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