On October 2, 1835 Mexican and Texian troops faced off in Gonzales, Texas in what has become known as the opening battle of the Texas Revolution. David Macomb was one of the Texians present at the battle and wrote the following account shortly after.
Sir, — Agreeably to request before I left San Felipe, I proceed to give you all the information I have been able to gather. I unfortunately arrived after the battle on the opposite side of the river with the Mexicans had taken place. The Mexicans, to the number of two hundred, all mounted, arrived on the bank of the river, opposite to this place, on Tuesday. They sent a despatch from Colonel Ugartachea, and one from the Political Chief of Bejar, to demand the cannon which the citizens of this place were in possession of; and also, a communication from the commander of the troop, requesting a conference with the commander of our forces. At that time, the actual force of this place consisted of only eighteen men, commanded by captain Albert Martin. To obtain time, the captain informed them that the alcalde was absent, but would be in town in the evening. The captain of the Mexicans then removed his troops, and took up a position about half a mile from the ferry, out in the prairie. The next day, our force had augmented to about one hundred men from the Colorado and Brazos. One or two feints were made by the Mexicans during the day at the ford, half a mile below, and at the ferry, but finding themselves likely to be opposed vigorously, they retired, and took possession of the mound about three hundred yards from the ford, where they encamped for the night. In the meantime our troops were arriving hourly, and on Friday an attack was determined on, and carried into execution in the following manner; Our numbers had increased to one hundred and sixty-eight men, and in an election for field officers, the lot fell on John H. Moore, as Colonel, and J. W. E. Wallace as Lieutenant-Colonel. About seven o’clock on Thursday evening, our troops crossed the river; the horses to the amount of fifty, and the infantry at the ferry, together with the cannon, (one brass six pounder) tolerably well mounted. The Lieutenant Colonel then formed the line of march, placing the cavalry in advance of the cannon, two companies of flankers, and two open columns on each side, with a company of infantry in the rear. The whole march was conducted with the greatest order and silence; and when arrived at the point intended to be occupied, one of the advanced guard was fired on by the picket guard, and slightly wounded in the nose. This alarmed the whole Mexican troop, who were soon formed, and our own men were placed also in order of battle; the two columns deploying into line on the right and left, the cannon in the centre, and the cavalry occupying the extreme right. The enemy then left the position which had been occupied by them during the night, and formed in order of battle on a high mound. This movement took place about four o’clock on the morning of Friday during the prevalence of a very thick fog, which enabled the enemy to effect it unobserved. Our position had been taken in the vicinity of a skirt of timber, and our troops remained under cover of it until the exact position of the Mexicans was ascertained, which did not take place until daylight. Our troops then advanced in order of battle, under cover of the fog, into the open prairie, to within about three hundred and fifty yards of the enemy. Our scouts in advance having discharged their rifles came into the main body, having been followed nearly in by a small troop of Mexicans. We immediately opened our cannon upon them, and the whole body retired precipitately and took possession of their old position, about three to four hundred yards distant. Our troops then moved on in good order, and placed themselves in a cornfield, the late occupied ground of the enemy, where we found some few horses and some baggage that had been left. The fence was then leveled opposite our cannon. A parley was then sounded by the Mexican commander, and a Mr. Smithers, who had been taken prisoner by the Mexicans on his way from Bejar to Gonzales, arrived and informed Colonel Moore that the Mexican commander desired a conference, which was agreed to, but in the meantime we posted to get possession of Williams’ plantation, houses, &c., which we occupied. At this time the fog had entirely dissipated, and presented both armies fairly in view of each other, about three hundred and fifty yards distant. The commanders of both armies then advanced to the centre, our’s accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Wallace, and the Mexican by one of his officers. The Mexican commander, Castonado, then demanded the cause of our troops attacking him, and the reply by Colonel Wallace was, that he had been ordered to demand our cannon, and had threatened, in case of a refusal, to take it by force; that this cannon had been presented to the citizens of Gonzales for the defence of the Constitution, by the constitutional authorities, under the confederation, and that none but constitutional authorities should be obeyed; that he (the Mexican commander) was acting under the orders of Santa Anna, who had broken down all the State and Federal constitutions, except that of Texas; and we would fight for our rights under that until the last gasp. Castonado then replied that he was himself a republican, and two thirds of the Mexican nation were such, and that he was still an officer of the federal government, although that government had undergone considerable changes; that the majority of the States having decided upon that change, we, the people of Texas, were bound to submit to it; that he did not want to fight the Anglo-Americans of Texas; that his orders from Ugartachea were simply to demand the cannon, and if refused, to take up a position in the vicinity of Gonzales until further orders. Colonel Moore then demanded him to surrender or join our side, and he would be received with open arms, and retain his rank, pay and emoluments, or to fight him instantly, that there were his troops, he might see them in full array. The commander said be was obliged to obey his orders, and the conference then broke up, and each officer retired to their respective armies. Colonel Wallace immediately ordered the cannon to fire on them, and our troops advanced in double quick time, and perfect order, and when within about three hundred yards, the cannon still playing away upon them, the Mexicans fled, and continued to fly until entirely out of sight, on the road to San Antonio. It is believed that one or two Mexicans were wounded or killed by the advanced guard at the first onset, and a very considerable number killed and wounded by the discharge of the cannon. Our troops have taken possession of the field, and being without horses, except fifty which were left on the bank of the river, collected whatever baggage, &c. was left behind by the Mexicans, and marched in good order and high spirits, without losing a man, to Gonzales, where they arrived about two o’clock P.M. yesterday. It appears that Castonado, when attacked on Friday morning, was waiting for a reinforcement, and further orders, and by the information received that night from San Antonio, Ugartachea has determined to put all his disposable force in motion, and is determined to take a sufficient number to effect his purpose. The reason assigned by Castonado for flying without giving battle, was that we had cannon, and he had none; but that when he should receive a reinforcement, Colonel Ugartachea would bring on cannon sufficient to burn and reduce the whole town to ashes. We therefore look for another attack soon, in considerable force, and if our troops arrive soon enough, they will enable us to repel the attack successfully, and even, if thought politic, to take up the line of march immediately for San Antonio. We have positive information that can be relied on, that there are only five hundred men in San Antonio, and two cannon mounted; about two hundred of them are convicts, with ball and chain, for having attempted to desert; and at least one hundred must remain to keep down the citizens, who it appears are strongly opposed to centralism. It is highly important that we should be strongly reinforced; we shall probably have, in two or three days, about from three hundred to three hundred and fifty men, and if we had about five hundred men, we could, without fear of defeat, take San Antonio, Labahia, and in fact drive the enemy entirely out of Texas. It is also ascertained that Cos has not arrived with troops at the Copano; now, then, is the “appointed time.” Let our citizens come on, the spirit is up among us, and victory and Independence certain. San Antonio once taken and garrisoned by our own troops, no hostile Mexican would dare to put his foot in Texas. We hope and trust that our citizens are now of one mind as to the intentions of Santa Anna. “The other States have submitted,” and the people of Texas must embrace centralism, — -So says their commander. We object to the premises, and of course, to the conclusion.
We are well supplied with beef and bread, and corn for our horses. We have a grist mill, which has been repaired by our men, and we are now in abundance. We shall grind plenty of meal in advance, for those that are coming. In fine, the Anglo-American spirit appears in every thing we do; quick, intelligent, and comprehensive; and while such men are fighting for their rights, they may possibly be overpowered by numbers, but, if whipped, they won’t stay whipped.
David B. Macomb
SOURCE: “Letter from Gonzales, giving an account of the action which took place there on the 1st of October.” in Henry Stewart Foote, Texas and the Texans, Vol II, (Philadelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co., 1841).
