Shrine of a Great Texas Heritage

Gonzales was established by Empressario Green DeWitt in August, 1825,
near the junction of the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers and was made
the capital of his colony of settlers.

It was the first Anglo-American settlement west of the Colorado River
and was named in honor of Don Rafael Gonzales, provisional governor
of Texas and Coahuila, Mexico. Surveyed by both James Kerr and Byrd
Lockhart, the city today remains as it was originally laid out.
In July of 1826, the settlement was attacked by Indians, one man
was killed and the cabins plundered. In 1831 the Mexican government
gave the settlers a small brass or bronze cannon for protection.
During the years unrest developed among colonists because of
increasing restrictions and controls. As a frontier settlement,
Gonzales was destined to play an important role in the resulting
Texas Revolution.

The open break with Mexico widened and authorities demanded that the
cannon be returned. A corporal and five Mexican soldiers were sent
with an ox cart to get the cannon. When this request was refused,
officials in San Antonio sent Lt. Castaneda with 100 mounted soldiers
to "take" the weapon.

When the cavalrymen appeared on the river bank on September 29, 1835,
there were only 18 men in Gonzales to deny their crossing. Those men
hid the ferry, buried the cannon in George W. Davis's peach orchard
and sent out a call for help. The men, known forever after as 'The
Old Eighteen' delayed the soldiers for two days, claiming that
Alcalde Andrew Ponton was away on business.

On the morning of September 30, Castaneda was met by Reg. Joseph D.
Clements, who read the message, "...I cannot, nor do I desire to
deliver up the cannon...only through force will we yield."
Castaneda and his men scouted the river for a place to cross, moving
upstream some seven miles to Ezekiel Williams' place, near the
present community of Cost.

As the women fashioned a battle flag, the cannon was unearthed. Joe
Martin donated a wagon for wheels and it was mounted by Mr. Sowell,
Mr. Darst, Mr. Chisholm and others. By now the original 18 had
grown in number and more were arriving.

On Thursday evening, October 1, the Texans, 50 of whom were mounted,
crossed the river with the cannon, stopped at DeWitt's home and
continued along the road.

When the early morning fog lifted on October 2, the Mexicans found
themselves confronted by a force of Texans commanded by Col. J. H.
Moore and Lt. Col. J. W. E. Wallace, with the controversial cannon.
Over the weapon proudly waved the new flag -- a black replica of the
cannon upon a white background emblazoned with the words that would
echo forever through the years -- "Come and Take It!"

When the cannon fired, the Mexican forces broke ranks and fled in
terror. The first shot for Texas independence had been fired and
the first battle won on this second day of October, 1835.

Following the colonists' victory, volunteers flocked to Gonzales.
A Council of War was organized and Stephen F. Austin was summoned
on October 11 to take charge of the growing army. On the following
morning Texas forces began their march to San Antonio, where they
participated in the Battle of Bexar. Before years' end, the
Mexicans were driven back.

In February of 1836 a constitution was being framed for the new
Republic by the convention that had declared Texas' independence.
Col. William B. Travis had been left in command of a small band
of Texans in the Alamo and that month, Santa Anna entered Texas,
beginning his seige at the Alamo.

A messenger arrived in Gonzales on February 26 with Travis'
dramatic appeal for help. Thirty-two men, volunteers from
throughout the colony, answered this call and on March 1 went
through the Mexican lines and entered the Alamo. There they joined
others from Gonzales, along with Mrs. Almeron (Susannah) Dickinson
and her baby. The names of these 'Immortal 32' and the others,
are recorded in this state's history for their ultimate sacrifice
to freedom.

Gen. Sam Houston came to Gonzales on March 11, 1836 to take charge
of the gathering troops. The tragic news of the fall of the Alamo
was heard when Mrs. Dickinson arrived with her baby and servants
who had been at the Alamo during the siege.

General Houston mobilized his army of volunteers at Gonzales,
then ordered the burning of the town in 'The Runaway Scrape' before
the advancing Mexican Army. His first stop was at the Braches
House east of the town, where he rested his horse beneath what
became known as 'The Sam Houston Oak'. His troops finally chased
Santa Anna to ground on April 21, 1836, conquered the Mexican
Army at San Jacinto and secured the independence of Texas.

This Site Is A Must See If You Are Interested In History Gonzales, TX Homepage



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