Refugio Texas 1836 - In early March 1836 Carlos de la Garza and about eighty rancheros, serving as scouts and advance cavalry for Mexican general José de Urreas invading army, raided the village of Refugio. On March 10, during the Goliad campaign of 1836, James W. Fannin, Jr., sent Amon B. King and twenty-eight men to Refugio to help the families besieged there escape to Goliad, knowing that their destination lay in the path by which the main Mexican force under Urrea was expected daily. On March 12, before leaving Refugio, King stubbornly sought to punish Garza and his rancheros. He underestimated Garzas strength and resolve, however, and was forced to retreat with the families back to the mission, where he took refuge and sent word to Fannin at Goliad for help. In what proved to be a disastrous move, Fannin dispatched Lt. Col. William Wardqv and the Georgia Battalion, together with some of Peyton S. Wyatts men, to relieve Kings command. Ward and some 120 men successfully allayed the siege in the afternoon of March 13. Nevertheless, as John J. Linn wrote, A difference of opinion arose between the two commanders in relation to the command, which seemed to be irreconcilable, as they could not be coerced into a concert of action, even by the perils that threatened them both so imminently. With both commanders quarreling over rank yet anxious for a fight, the Texian force divided. Some of Wards men went with King on a punitive mission against the rancheros, and while they were out Urrea and the main force of 1,500 men surrounded Wards party at the mission. When King attempted to return to the mission, he came upon the rear of Urreas army and was forced to make a stand in the timber on the Mission River within site of Wards command. The troops held their ground valiantly from late morning to dark, March 14, while Ward withstood several vigorous assaults. Mexican losses were heavy; the Texans suffered few casualties but were short of food, water, and ammunition. Ward sent James Humphries to Goliad to advise Fannin, who finally got word to Ward through Edward Perry to retreat to Victoria, where they were to rendezvous. Volunteers were left with the wounded and families, and Ward apparently left the mission with the remainder of his battalion on the night of March 14 and traveled in the direction of Copano through woods and swamps to avoid the Mexican cavalry. Kings company also tried to escape during the night but was overtaken on March 15 and marched back as prisoners to the mission, now occupied by Urreas forces. The next day those remaining from Wards battalion, together with King and all of his company, were executed, except for two Germans and Lewis T. Ayers, who were spared with the local families by the German-born Lt. Col. Juan José Holzinger. Wards men managed to reach Victoria, but finding the village occupied by Urreas troops, continued their retreat to Dimitts Landing, where they surrendered to Urrea.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 15:12:07 +0000
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