When General Cós surrendered San Antonio to the Texans in December 1835, General Santa Anna was furious. He was determined to punish the Anglo rebels in Texas and those Tejanos who had defied his government. He moved his army of some 6,000 soldiers northward. Half his troops followed him to San Antonio. The other half moved toward Goliad under General José Urrea. The Texan forces remained scattered and uncoordinated.

The Alamo The San Antonio mission known as the Alamo was held by about 200 men under the command of Colonel William B. Travis. Included in the Texan forces were James Bowie, David Crockett, and at least nine Tejanos. Travis was determined to hold the Alamo against Santa Anna's troops at all costs. On March 6, 1836, the battle began. Although the Mexican forces suffered heavy casualties as they scaled the walls of the Alamo, they continued to attack until the whole Texas garrison was overpowered. Almost all the Texans were killed. The bravery of Travis and his forces made Texans more determined than ever to win their independence. "Remember the Alamo!" became the battle cry of Houston's army.

Goliad While fighting raged at the Alamo, General Urrea's unit of the Mexican army advanced northward, capturing or killing Texans defending San Patricio, Refugio, and Victoria. General Fannin, commander of the Texans at Goliad, finally ordered his soldiers to retreat, but they became surrounded by Urrea's troops. Fannin signed an agreement of surrender, believing his men would be treated fairly by their captors. Instead, Santa Anna ordered the immediate execution of the Texans. "Remember Goliad!" now joined "Remember the Alamo!" as the rallying cries of the Texas soldiers.