October 3, 2022 - October 2 is recognized as "Gonzales Day," the first skirmish in the battle for independence. As such, it is a significant day in Texas history.
The first recognized battle of the Texas Revolution was fought in Gonzales on October 2, 1835. Because of this skirmish, it became known as the “Lexington of Texas.” Gonzales is one of the earliest Anglo-American settlements in Texas, the first west of the Colorado River. It was established in 1825 and was the nearest such settlement to Bexar and the Battle of the Alamo. The settlement was abandoned in 1826 because of two American Indian attacks. It was rebuilt in a nearby location and the Mexican government gave the settlers a small cannon for protection against future Indian attacks. As conflict increased between the Anglo settlers and the Mexican government, a contingent of Mexican soldiers was sent from San Antonio to retrieve the cannon. The settlers posted the “Come and Take It” flag nearthe cannon and on October 2, 1835, Texans under the command of John H. Moore confronted the troops. Thus the Texians successfully resisted the federal troops in what became known as the Battle of Gonzales. They realized the battle was small but there was no turning back.
The William Carroll Crawford Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas brings you this brief glimpse into early Texas history.
