11
On the night of October 1, Gonzales troops, which now numbered about 180, dug up the cannon and crossed
the river. When the fog lifted on the morning of October 2, the Mexican soldiers were faced with the Texans,
the cannon and the new "COME AND TAKE IT" flag. The cannon was fired and the Mexican soldiers broke
ranks and fled. The first shot of the revolution was history.
This monument was erected by the State of Texas in 1936 to commemorate the first shot.
1836 - On February 26, Colonel Willam B. Travis, commander of the troops defending the Alamo, sent out
messengers asking for desperately needed reinforcements. The only men who answered the call were thirty-
two volunteers who left Gonzales February 29, 1836. These men, known as "The Immortal 32," along with nine
other men from Gonzales already with Travis, died in the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836. Among the
survivors of the battle were Susannah Dickinson, her child, and Travis' servant, Joe. They were allowed to leave
the Alamo and return to Gonzales.
THE SAM HOUSTON OAK
On March 11, 1836, Sam Houston arrived in Gonzales
to mobilize the Texas army. He received news of the fall
of the Alamo.
March 13, 1836, General Sam Houston ordered the
town of Gonzales burned and began his now famous
retreat. This action is known as the "Runaway Scrape."
The following morning he set up his headquarters at
this majestic oak located on Peach Creek, eight miles
southeast of Gonzales.
Photograph by Leslie Jannsen, Gonzales Camera Club
Photograph by Leslie Jannsen, Gonzales Camera Club
