  CentralistsA Mexican political party which supported a strong central government (instead of a federal system). Although Santa Anna had originally gained the presidency of Mexico by supporting the federal cause, he had decided in 1834 that Mexico was not yet ready for democracy. He dissolved the state legislatures in October 1835, putting the nation under a single, central governing body. Chambers, Thomas JeffersonChambers took an active part in the events leading to the Revolution. He offered his land for security to raise men and money for the war. The provisional government commissioned him a major general of reserves and sent him Childress, George CampbellChildress was elected a delegate to the Convention of 1836 shortly after he arrived in Texas. There, he called the assembly to order and, after permanent organization, moved that a committee of five be appointed to write a declaration of independence. The document reported out by the committee was written by Childress. Coleto, Battle ofFought March 19-20, 1836, this battle was the culmination of the Goliad campaign. James W. Fannin and some 400 men from Goliad were falling back toward Guadalupe Victoria when they were attacked by Urrea’s men near Coleto Creek. Although the Texans countered three attacks, they were forced to surrender when their water supplies ran out and Urrea’s main army arrived on the March 20. Collinsworth, George MorseCollinsworth raised a company of 52 men from Matagorda, and, along with additional troops under Ben Milam, took Goliad on October 9, 1835. He was in command at Goliad until November 18. The General Council appointed him collector of customs for the port of Matagorda on December 10, 1835. Collinsworth, JamesThe General Council elected Collinsworth captain of the Texas Regiment of Infantry (probably never organized). He represented Brazoria in the Convention of 1836, where he nominated Sam Houston for commander-in-chief. In the army, he assisted the families fleeing in the Runaway Scrape. He was made a major and appointed an aide-de-camp to Houston on April 8. His conduct in the battle of San Jacinto was commended by both Houston and Thomas J. Rusk in their reports. Committee on Military AffairsCreated by the General Council, the Committee on Military Affairs, through its recommendations and its immediate supervision of military matters, did much to influence the conduct of the war from November 1835 through January 1836. Its members included Wyatt Hanks, J. D. Clements, and R. R. Royal. Committees of Safety and CorrespondenceOn May 8, 1835, Mina organized a Committee of Safety and Correspondence, and Gonzales and Viesca followed suit a few days later. By the end of the summer, most communities in Texas had such organizations. Their purpose was to keep people in touch with developments that affected the Revolution. Concepcion, Battle ofJames Bowie and James W. Fannin, with a detachment of 90 men were scouting for a secure campground when, on October 28, they were attacked by a Mexican cavalry force about a mile from Concepcion Mission. The battle lasted some thirty minutes, ending when the main body of the Texan army joined the fight. The army took over the mission grounds for a campsite. ConsultationCalled for October 16, 1836, at San Felipe de Austin, the Consultation failed to convene a quorum until November 3. Although sharply divided between the “war hawks” and the “peace doves,” the body issued its “Declaration of November 7, 1835,” stating that the war’s aim was to restore the Mexican Constitution of 1824 and to make Texas an independent state within the Mexican Confederation. Sam Houston was made commander-in-chief of the regular army, a government was set up, authorized by the Organic Law, and three commissioners were sent to the United States to seek money and soldiers. The Consultation adjourned on November 14. Convention of 1836The General Council, over Governor Smith’s veto, called for a Convention to assemble at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1, 1836. The Convention adopted a Cos, Martin Perfecto deCos was Santa Anna’s brother-in-law, sent to Texas in September 1835 to investigate the colonists’ refusal to pay duties at Anahuac. Cos landed 500 men at Matagorda Bay and then established headquarters at San Antonio. He intended to expel all who had come to Texas since 1830 and anyone opposed to Santa Anna. Forced to surrender San Antonio on December 10, Cos and his men were allowed to return to Mexico on their pledge never to take up arms against Texas again. However, Cos returned, commanding a column at the assault on the Alamo. He crossed Vince’s Bridge with reinforcements for Santa Anna just before Deaf Smith destroyed the bridge on April 21, 1836. He was captured after the battle of San Jacinto. Crockett, DavidHe came to Texas “to fight for his rights.” Crockett and some of his “Tennessee boys” joined William B. Travis at the Alamo, where he and his men were killed. Contemporary reports from both Texan and Mexican sources claim that Crockett survived the assault on the Alamo, only to be executed on Santa Anna’s order. Cuellar, Jesus “Comanche”Cuellar served as a guide for Ugartechea in November 1835 and fought under Cos during the siege of Bexar. He deserted the Mexican forces, reported to Edward Burleson the weaknesses in the defenses, and guided the Texans into San Antonio. He joined James Grant for the proposed Matamoros Expedition, but attached himself to James W. Fannin’s command at Goliad. He devised a plan for defeating Urrea’s army, but Fannin was unable to put it into effect. Cuellar was sent to Refugio to warn Ward of Mexican army operations, and from there he joined the Texas Army. |
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