James Harris and the Battle at Goliad Texas in 1838
By: Carolyn Webb
James Harris born August 5, 1797 in Abbeyville [Abbeville], South Carolina. He was married to Francis Wooldridge born October 11, 1800 also in Abbeyville [Abbeville], South Carolina. My gg grandmother was their daughter - Margaret Eleanor Harris born March 27, 1821 in Abbeyville, SC. After Mexico threw off the yoke of Spain's dominance, and Texas became a province of Mexico, Texas colonists began to flock into this territory, among them was James Harris and his family.
The dictator of Mexico looked upon this with disfavor in 1830. The colonists, through a council, sent a petition to the central government of Mexico in 1833. The person carrying the petition was thrown into prison. Thus the colonists, including James Harris and family took steps to create a separate government. Santa Ana, sent troops to put down this rebellion. When James Harris heard that a large force of Mexican soldiers were marching on the settlement of Matagorda, the men sent their families back to New Orleans for safety. Many of them loaded furniture and supplies on their wagons and started off. Rumors reached them that the Mexicans were near and to hasten their flight, so they threw furniture, bedding, pianos, etc, in the Bay known as "The Sabine Shoot".
Meanwhile, Margaret remained with her father to care for him should he get wounded. She was the only woman in town. It was about this time that she made her father's friend, Colonel Fannin, a buckskin shirt not aware of the horrible massacre that was coming. Colonel Fannin with 500 men including James Harris and his son Robert Harris, were stationed at Goliad March 19, 1835 when they were surrounded by a superior force of the enemy. The Texans were short of ammunition and supplies. A desperate battle was fought and Colonel Fannin was forced to surrender, with the promise of honorable treatment for his men. Instead, on March 27, the Texans were marched out, lined up, and shot. Thus, all of Colonel Fannin's command except for a few that managed to escape and several physicians and others deemed useful by the Mexicans, were massacred, collected into piles, and burned.
Like the defenders of the Battle of the Alamo who died only three weeks earlier, the men of Goliad served as martyrs for the remaining forces in Houston's army. Three weeks later, the Texans sought their revenge. Inspired by cries of "Remember Goliad" and "Remember the Alamo", the outnumbered Texans went on to win one of history's most decisive victories - "The Battle of San Jacinto". James Harris was a staunch supporter of Colonel Fannin and a friend and he died trying to free Texas.
His son, Robert William Harris was captured and sent to Mexico City. It was learned later that these prisoners were forced to draw lots for their lives. Those drawing white beans were made slaves on the large haciendas. Others that drew black beans were lined up and shot. That was the fate of Robert William Harris, another valiant Texas patriot.
After the end of the war, and after Texas had won her independence, the government recognized the sacrifice and service rendered by Margaret's father James Harris and her brother Robert William Harris. The government gave the surviving family a land grant of 8,888 acres of land in West Texas. The survivors were four sisters, Eleanor, Martha, Lucy, and Eliza and my gg grandmother Margaret Eleanor Harris Goodwin Hundley.
--Source: Carolyn Webb, James Harris and the Battle at Goliad Texas in 1838, published 26 Dec 2008, Lonestar Genealogy Site; accessed online and transcribed with some editing by Annie Duckett Hundley.
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By: Carolyn Webb
James Harris born August 5, 1797 in Abbeyville [Abbeville], South Carolina. He was married to Francis Wooldridge born October 11, 1800 also in Abbeyville [Abbeville], South Carolina. My gg grandmother was their daughter - Margaret Eleanor Harris born March 27, 1821 in Abbeyville, SC. After Mexico threw off the yoke of Spain's dominance, and Texas became a province of Mexico, Texas colonists began to flock into this territory, among them was James Harris and his family.
The dictator of Mexico looked upon this with disfavor in 1830. The colonists, through a council, sent a petition to the central government of Mexico in 1833. The person carrying the petition was thrown into prison. Thus the colonists, including James Harris and family took steps to create a separate government. Santa Ana, sent troops to put down this rebellion. When James Harris heard that a large force of Mexican soldiers were marching on the settlement of Matagorda, the men sent their families back to New Orleans for safety. Many of them loaded furniture and supplies on their wagons and started off. Rumors reached them that the Mexicans were near and to hasten their flight, so they threw furniture, bedding, pianos, etc, in the Bay known as "The Sabine Shoot".
Meanwhile, Margaret remained with her father to care for him should he get wounded. She was the only woman in town. It was about this time that she made her father's friend, Colonel Fannin, a buckskin shirt not aware of the horrible massacre that was coming. Colonel Fannin with 500 men including James Harris and his son Robert Harris, were stationed at Goliad March 19, 1835 when they were surrounded by a superior force of the enemy. The Texans were short of ammunition and supplies. A desperate battle was fought and Colonel Fannin was forced to surrender, with the promise of honorable treatment for his men. Instead, on March 27, the Texans were marched out, lined up, and shot. Thus, all of Colonel Fannin's command except for a few that managed to escape and several physicians and others deemed useful by the Mexicans, were massacred, collected into piles, and burned.
Like the defenders of the Battle of the Alamo who died only three weeks earlier, the men of Goliad served as martyrs for the remaining forces in Houston's army. Three weeks later, the Texans sought their revenge. Inspired by cries of "Remember Goliad" and "Remember the Alamo", the outnumbered Texans went on to win one of history's most decisive victories - "The Battle of San Jacinto". James Harris was a staunch supporter of Colonel Fannin and a friend and he died trying to free Texas.
His son, Robert William Harris was captured and sent to Mexico City. It was learned later that these prisoners were forced to draw lots for their lives. Those drawing white beans were made slaves on the large haciendas. Others that drew black beans were lined up and shot. That was the fate of Robert William Harris, another valiant Texas patriot.
After the end of the war, and after Texas had won her independence, the government recognized the sacrifice and service rendered by Margaret's father James Harris and her brother Robert William Harris. The government gave the surviving family a land grant of 8,888 acres of land in West Texas. The survivors were four sisters, Eleanor, Martha, Lucy, and Eliza and my gg grandmother Margaret Eleanor Harris Goodwin Hundley.
--Source: Carolyn Webb, James Harris and the Battle at Goliad Texas in 1838, published 26 Dec 2008, Lonestar Genealogy Site; accessed online and transcribed with some editing by Annie Duckett Hundley.
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James Harris and the Battle at Goliad Texas in 1838
By: Carolyn Webb
James Harris born August 5, 1797 in Abbeyville [Abbeville], South Carolina. He was married to Francis Wooldridge born October 11, 1800 also in Abbeyville [Abbeville], South Carolina. My gg grandmother was their daughter - Margaret Eleanor Harris born March 27, 1821 in Abbeyville, SC. After Mexico threw off the yoke of Spain's dominance, and Texas became a province of Mexico, Texas colonists began to flock into this territory, among them was James Harris and his family.
The dictator of Mexico looked upon this with disfavor in 1830. The colonists, through a council, sent a petition to the central government of Mexico in 1833. The person carrying the petition was thrown into prison. Thus the colonists, including James Harris and family took steps to create a separate government. Santa Ana, sent troops to put down this rebellion. When James Harris heard that a large force of Mexican soldiers were marching on the settlement of Matagorda, the men sent their families back to New Orleans for safety. Many of them loaded furniture and supplies on their wagons and started off. Rumors reached them that the Mexicans were near and to hasten their flight, so they threw furniture, bedding, pianos, etc, in the Bay known as "The Sabine Shoot".
Meanwhile, Margaret remained with her father to care for him should he get wounded. She was the only woman in town. It was about this time that she made her father's friend, Colonel Fannin, a buckskin shirt not aware of the horrible massacre that was coming. Colonel Fannin with 500 men including James Harris and his son Robert Harris, were stationed at Goliad March 19, 1835 when they were surrounded by a superior force of the enemy. The Texans were short of ammunition and supplies. A desperate battle was fought and Colonel Fannin was forced to surrender, with the promise of honorable treatment for his men. Instead, on March 27, the Texans were marched out, lined up, and shot. Thus, all of Colonel Fannin's command except for a few that managed to escape and several physicians and others deemed useful by the Mexicans, were massacred, collected into piles, and burned.
Like the defenders of the Battle of the Alamo who died only three weeks earlier, the men of Goliad served as martyrs for the remaining forces in Houston's army. Three weeks later, the Texans sought their revenge. Inspired by cries of "Remember Goliad" and "Remember the Alamo", the outnumbered Texans went on to win one of history's most decisive victories - "The Battle of San Jacinto". James Harris was a staunch supporter of Colonel Fannin and a friend and he died trying to free Texas.
His son, Robert William Harris was captured and sent to Mexico City. It was learned later that these prisoners were forced to draw lots for their lives. Those drawing white beans were made slaves on the large haciendas. Others that drew black beans were lined up and shot. That was the fate of Robert William Harris, another valiant Texas patriot.
After the end of the war, and after Texas had won her independence, the government recognized the sacrifice and service rendered by Margaret's father James Harris and her brother Robert William Harris. The government gave the surviving family a land grant of 8,888 acres of land in West Texas. The survivors were four sisters, Eleanor, Martha, Lucy, and Eliza and my gg grandmother Margaret Eleanor Harris Goodwin Hundley.
--Source: Carolyn Webb, James Harris and the Battle at Goliad Texas in 1838, published 26 Dec 2008, Lonestar Genealogy Site; accessed online and transcribed with some editing by Annie Duckett Hundley.
____________________________________________________________
By: Carolyn Webb
James Harris born August 5, 1797 in Abbeyville [Abbeville], South Carolina. He was married to Francis Wooldridge born October 11, 1800 also in Abbeyville [Abbeville], South Carolina. My gg grandmother was their daughter - Margaret Eleanor Harris born March 27, 1821 in Abbeyville, SC. After Mexico threw off the yoke of Spain's dominance, and Texas became a province of Mexico, Texas colonists began to flock into this territory, among them was James Harris and his family.
The dictator of Mexico looked upon this with disfavor in 1830. The colonists, through a council, sent a petition to the central government of Mexico in 1833. The person carrying the petition was thrown into prison. Thus the colonists, including James Harris and family took steps to create a separate government. Santa Ana, sent troops to put down this rebellion. When James Harris heard that a large force of Mexican soldiers were marching on the settlement of Matagorda, the men sent their families back to New Orleans for safety. Many of them loaded furniture and supplies on their wagons and started off. Rumors reached them that the Mexicans were near and to hasten their flight, so they threw furniture, bedding, pianos, etc, in the Bay known as "The Sabine Shoot".
Meanwhile, Margaret remained with her father to care for him should he get wounded. She was the only woman in town. It was about this time that she made her father's friend, Colonel Fannin, a buckskin shirt not aware of the horrible massacre that was coming. Colonel Fannin with 500 men including James Harris and his son Robert Harris, were stationed at Goliad March 19, 1835 when they were surrounded by a superior force of the enemy. The Texans were short of ammunition and supplies. A desperate battle was fought and Colonel Fannin was forced to surrender, with the promise of honorable treatment for his men. Instead, on March 27, the Texans were marched out, lined up, and shot. Thus, all of Colonel Fannin's command except for a few that managed to escape and several physicians and others deemed useful by the Mexicans, were massacred, collected into piles, and burned.
Like the defenders of the Battle of the Alamo who died only three weeks earlier, the men of Goliad served as martyrs for the remaining forces in Houston's army. Three weeks later, the Texans sought their revenge. Inspired by cries of "Remember Goliad" and "Remember the Alamo", the outnumbered Texans went on to win one of history's most decisive victories - "The Battle of San Jacinto". James Harris was a staunch supporter of Colonel Fannin and a friend and he died trying to free Texas.
His son, Robert William Harris was captured and sent to Mexico City. It was learned later that these prisoners were forced to draw lots for their lives. Those drawing white beans were made slaves on the large haciendas. Others that drew black beans were lined up and shot. That was the fate of Robert William Harris, another valiant Texas patriot.
After the end of the war, and after Texas had won her independence, the government recognized the sacrifice and service rendered by Margaret's father James Harris and her brother Robert William Harris. The government gave the surviving family a land grant of 8,888 acres of land in West Texas. The survivors were four sisters, Eleanor, Martha, Lucy, and Eliza and my gg grandmother Margaret Eleanor Harris Goodwin Hundley.
--Source: Carolyn Webb, James Harris and the Battle at Goliad Texas in 1838, published 26 Dec 2008, Lonestar Genealogy Site; accessed online and transcribed with some editing by Annie Duckett Hundley.
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