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{{History of Spain}}
{{Texas History}}
The '''Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition''' or '''Texan Revolt''' '''of 1812-1813''' was an
==Background==
In 1810, Father [[Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla]] began a revolt against the Royalist Spanish in Mexico, which would initiate the Mexican War of Independence. Likewise, in 1811, [[Juan Bautista de las Casas]] led a revolt against Spain at [[San Antonio]], capturing the Spanish governor.<ref name=alm118>Almaráz, p. 118.</ref> The Spanish struck back, however, crushing the revolt. Governor [[Manuel María de Salcedo]] was restored to power. Father Hidalgo was executed in July, in [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], while de las Casas and his associates were executed in August.<ref name=alm120-124>Almaráz, p. 120-124.</ref>
The remaining rebels then turned to the [[United States]] for help. [[Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara]], a blacksmith from [[Nuevo Santander]], traveled to [[Washington, D.C.]], but he received little more than an assurance that the U.S. would not interfere with his plans.
After trying the U.S. government's patience, he entertained the idea of a [[Filibuster (military)|filibuster]], consulting as many as would listen, including his cousin
==The expedition==
[[File:Magee-Gutierrez Coup d'état Flag.svg|thumb|Solid green flag of the expedition which represented the [[History of Ireland (1801–1923)|Irish heritage]] of co-leader [[Augustus Magee]]]]
Gutiérrez gained the support of
The Spanish governor [[Manuel María de Salcedo]], with about 800 men, was patrolling the [[Guadalupe River (Texas)|Guadalupe River]] area, in search of the revolutionaries. He later found them on the lower [[San Antonio River]] at [[Goliad, Texas|Goliad]]. They had easily taken and were controlling the Spanish fort there, [[Presidio La Bahia]].<ref>Almaráz (1971), p. 164.</ref> Magee was besieged for four months. He negotiated with the Spanish military leaders and considered surrendering, but he finally decided to fight. However, Magee's army lost confidence in him, and discord spread among the republican leaders.
Kemper beat back the governor's attacks. On February 10 and 13, Kemper successfully defeated Salcedo, who retreated toward San Antonio on February 19.<ref>Almaráz (1971), p. 168.</ref> In March, Kemper's forces again swelled, by some 500 men. The expedition would pursue the Spanish, now in [[San Antonio
Gutiérrez suggested the prisoners be sent to the United States for safe keeping. But, as the prisoners were marched out of town by Captain Antonio Delgado, they were halted, tied to trees and killed. On April 17, the Republican Army drafted a declaration of independence of the state of Texas as part of the Mexican Republic and adopted a solid "Green Flag" for a banner. Gutiérrez declared himself
Because of poor judgement, Gutiérrez would lose the confidence of Kemper and the other Americans. His proclamation, and allowing the execution of the Spanish governor and other officials, proved to be too much.
Colonel [[Ignacio Elizondo]] and General [[José Joaquín de Arredondo]]
The success of the Republican Army began to stir additional support. Now interested in the conflict was [[José Álvarez de Toledo y Dubois]], who had been consulted at the beginning of the filibuster. He proceeded into San Antonio on August 1, with the desire to take charge of the [[Texians]] and confront Arredondo. Advising was [[United States Ambassador to Mexico|United States special agent]] [[William Shaler]]. Shaler and José Álvarez de Toledo
The Republican Army's dissension persisted. Some
▲The success of the Republican Army began to stir additional support. Now interested in the conflict was [[José Álvarez de Toledo y Dubois]], who had been consulted at the beginning of the filibuster. He proceeded into San Antonio on August 1, with the desire to take charge of the Texians and confront Arredondo. Advising was [[United States Ambassador to Mexico|United States special agent]] [[William Shaler]]. Shaler and José Álvarez de Toledo would team up and initiate a propaganda campaign against organizer Gutiérrez. The Americans, convinced that Gutiérrez was not concerned with their interests, threatened to leave unless Gutiérrez was replaced. Gutiérrez would exit for [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]] on August 6, which ultimately saved his life. In his absence, Toledo took charge.
This situation would end up badly for the Texans. Even though they had decisively won at the battle of Alazán and now had a large force, (composed of
▲The Republican Army's dissension persisted. Some [[Texian]]s liked their new leader, while others didn't. Toledo wanted to fight the Spanish in Bexar, but was persuaded by Perry and San Antonians to spare the city and march out to surprise the Spanish. Colonel [[José Menchaca]], (a former Spanish officer, now leader of the Tejanos), being opposed to Toledo as their leader, instigated discord, slowing Álvarez de Toledo's advance against the Spanish. The Republican leader, Toledo was not able to make his move upon the [[Royalists]] until August 15.
Spanish officials
▲This situation would end up badly for the Texans. Even though they had decisively won at the battle of Alazán and now had a large force, (composed of 1400 Americans, Tejanos, Spanish, Indians, and Blacks), they would suffer a crushing defeat on August 18, 1813, at the [[Battle of Medina]]. Toledo had planned on surprising the Spanish, however when he moved upon them, it turned into an unintentional ambush. Toledo tried to turn the men around, but Colonel José Menchaca had chosen to fight till the death. By chasing what appeared to be the main body of the Spaniards, they would end up surrounded. For in the meantime, Arredondo and Elizondo had reorganized a force of 1,800 and were ready to fight. The Gutiérrez-Magee expedition would end with a terrible loss of some 1,300 men. Toledo and a few of the men were able to flee to the United States.<ref name=Edmonson42>Edmonson (2000), p. 42.</ref>
The repercussions and vengeance of the Spanish caused many to flee Texas, and they would never fully come to trust the Spanish
▲Spanish officials would recapture San Antonio and conduct a brutal reprisal, executing over 300 people. The situation in [[Nacogdoches]] was hardly any better, where they were brutally purging the rebels. On September 12, however, Elizondo's ruthlessness was ended, when he was assassinated by one of his own officers.
▲The repercussions and vengeance of the Spanish caused many to flee Texas, and they would never fully come to trust the Spanish Royals again. San Antonio natives and future signers of the 1836 [[Texas Declaration of Independence]], [[José Francisco Ruiz]] and [[José Antonio Navarro]], were among those who fled Texas.<ref name=Edmonson38>Edmonson (2000), p. 38.</ref> Texas would remain a hot spot for revolution and filibusters for years to come.
==See also==
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{{Reflist}}
* {{Citation|last=Almaráz|first=Félix D.
* {{citation|last=del la Teja|first=Jesus|title=A Revolution Remembered: The Memoirs and Selected Correspondence of Juan N. Seguin|publisher=State House Press|location=Austin, TX|year=1991|isbn=0-938349-68-6}}
*{{citation|last=Edmondson|first=J.R.|title=The Alamo Story-From History to Current Conflicts|publisher=Republic of Texas Press|place=[[Plano, TX]]|isbn=1-55622-678-0|year=2000}}
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{{Spanish Texas}}
{{Former sovereign or unrecognized states within the United States}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gutierrez-Magee Expedition}}
[[Category:Mexican War of Independence]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1812]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1813]]
[[Category:Spanish Texas]]
[[Category:Filibusters (military)]]
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