Gonzales, Texas

A few months ago we spent a day in Gonzales, Texas.  We're slowly learning more Texas history, including how Texas won it's independence from Mexico. Gonzales had a pretty big part in that, due to the fact it's where the infamous battle took place and marked the beginning of Texas fighting to become it's own country.

In 1831 the Mexican government granted Green DeWitt (the founder of Gonzales, Texas) a small, modest cannon so the residents could protect themselves from Indian attacks.  However, after many disputes between the Texans and Mexicans, a hundred Mexican soldiers were sent to retrieve the cannon from DeWitt.  When the soldiers arrived there were 18 men in Gonzales and they flatly refused to return the cannon.  Soon other men in surrounding areas came to join them.  DeWitt's daughter, Sarah, sewed a flag with the now famous words, "Come and Take It," which was flown when the first shots were fired on October 1835. The Texans successfully resisted the Mexican troops and the battle became known as the "Battle of Gonzales."

Another highlight was visiting the Gonzales County Jail, which was an active jail from 1885-1975.  We were able to tour the Sheriff's office, the jailor's room, the dungeon, the gallows, and of course a jail cell.

Check out Mrs. Jailor above.  She does NOT look happy. 

jailor's quarters

holding cell

gallows 

The Runaway Scrape Oak

It was at the foot of this giant live oak, March 13, 1836, that General Sam Houston, and less than 400 Texan men, camped on the first night after their historic retreat from Gonzales - often called the "Runaway Scrape." The Alamo had just fallen to the Mexican army a week before. In a nutshell,  Sam Houston told his men, most who were panic stricken and ready to flee that they must continue south to engage the Mexican general, Santa Anna, in what would be the battle of San Jacinto. The Texans ended up defeating the Mexican army in just eighteen minutes!