Long Expedition

The Long Expedition, named after its leader, James Long, was an early attempt by Anglo-Americans to wrest Texas from Spain. The expedition was mounted by volunteers from Natchez, Mississippi, who disputed the exact boundary of the Louisiana Purchase, believing it to extend deeply into Texas. The expedition attracted recruits with the promise of a league of land to every volunteer. An advance force of 120 men, led by Eli Harris, crossed the Sabine River on June 8, 1819, and marched to Nacogdoches, Texas, where Long arrived on June 21. Independence minded citizens of Nacogdoches met to organize a provisional government, naming Long as its head. On June 23, this "Supreme Council" declared the independence of Texas from Spain.

By mid July, Long had more than 300 men under his command, but lack of supplies caused him to scatter his forces to live off the country. In late September, however, the Spanish governor sent more than 500 men to drive Long out of Texas. One month later the American "liberators" had all been forced out of disputed East Texas.

Long himself avoided capture by fleeing to New Orleans. Undeterred by the failure of his first expedition, he joined forces with José Félix Trespalacios, who was organizing an expedition in New Orleans to support the Mexican liberals.

Long established his headquarters at Point Bolivar. At Point Bolivar, in April 1820, Long attempted to reorganize his forces. With the aid of Ben Milam and others, Long revitalized the Supreme Council. He later broke with Milam, and the expedition led an uncertain existence until September 19, 1821, when Long and fifty-two men sailed to capture Presidio La Bahía. The town fell easily on October 4, but four days later Long was forced to surrender. He was taken prisoner and sent to Mexico City, where about six months later he was shot and killed by a guard reportedly bribed to do so by Trespalacios.

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