No rain but...

Not even 1/10th of an inch of rain for us today, but we did get a very gorgeous sunset!!! 

A little Goliad History...Presidio La Bahia Del Espiritu Santo De Zunica

 

I wasn't in the mood for a nature walk so I walked around the Historical parts of Goliad...I've seen most of these items before but it has been awhile. Why is it we seldom check out things that are close to where we live?

 

Fannin Burial Monument!

Grave of Col. J.W. Fannin and his Men.

After the battle of Coleto (March 19-20, 1836),

where a Texas army under Col. James Walker Fannin met

defeat by Mexicans in superior numbers. The Texas soldiers

were held in Presidio La Bahia, supposedly as war prisoners.

However, by order of Mexican Gen. Antonio Lopez De Santa

Anna, approximately  400 of Fannin’s men were marched out and

massacred on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836. The wounded were shot

one by one in the fort compound. Col. Fannin was the last to die.

Because of their profession, Drs. J.H. Bernard, J.E. Field and Jack

Shackleford were spared, about 25 men were saved by a Mexican

Woman, the Angel of Goliad. Approximately 30 escaped by feigning

Death or by swimming the San Antonio river. The Texans corpses

were stripped, and partly burned, but left unburied.

This atrocity three weeks after the fall of the Alamo gave Texans

part of the battle cry “Remember the Alamo! Remember La Bahia!”

Under which decisive victory was won at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.

General Thomas J. Rusk and the Texan army afterwards marched here

and gathered the bones of Fannin’s men from the terrain. From Presidio

La Bahia the remains were carried in procession to the grave, and there

Given military funeral and burial on June 3, 1836.

I spotted a bird flying out of this cannon and sure enough there was a nest in it!

God Bless the U.S.A.

 

 

On each side of the monument are engraved the  names of all the men that died with Col. Fannin.

 

 

The men that were killed or mortally wounded in the battle of Coleto.

 

 

The top of the monument

 

God Bless Texas!

Erected by the State of Texas in honor of the Texan

soldiers killed in the battle of Coleto March 19, 1836.

Under Colonel James Walker Fannin

Who were buried on the battlefield and of Colonel

Fannin and his men executed March 27, 1836 by

Order of Genral Santa Anna and their bodies burned

Beneath this monument

Repose their charred remains

Remember Goliad!

Angel of Goliad

Amid the cruelties of the Texas war for independence, one notable

woman committed acts of bravery and compassion. Francisca Alvaz

(Also known by similar names) accompanied Mexican army Capt. Telesforo

Alavez to Texas in March 1836.

In seven incidents between March and April,

she intervened with Mexican troops under the command of Gen. Jose De Urrea

to help captured Texian prisoners at Agua Dulce, Copano, La Bahia, Victora and Matamoros.

On March 20, Maj. William P. Miller and 75 men of his Nashville battalion were

captured as they unloaded their ship at Copano Bay. Alavez insisted the binding cords

which cut off circulation be removed and food and water provided. They were

moved to Presidio La Bahia at Goliad. Where hundreds of Col. James Fannin’s troops

were already held after their capture at Coleto Creek. At least 342 men were taken

out of the fort on March 27 and shot under orders of Gen. Santa Anna in what was

termed the Goliad massacre. Alavez helped save the lives of many men, including

16 year old Benjamin Hughes. Another survivor, Dr. J.H. Barnard recalled that she pleaded

for their lives, helped sneak out some troops at night and hid some of the men. Her

humanitarian acts included tending to wounds and sending messages and provisions

to those still imprisoned.

Presidio La Bahia, we call it La Bahia.

The South wall

 

 

 

A recreation of General Ignacio Zaragoza's Birthplace.

 

In the Spanish colonization system, houses built outside

the presidio fort walls by civilians and soldiers families

were intended to become a center of settlement. A

diverse population – Spanish, Indian, African and European –

flourished around the stone walls of the Presidio La Bahia.

Ignacio Zaragoza was born in 1829 in one of the houses near

Presidio La Bahia. His father, a presidial soldier, was reassigned

frequently. He moved his family to other Texas presidios and

finally to Matamoros in 1834. In Mexico, young Zaragoza

became a military leader in the reform movements in the

1850’s In the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, his undermanned

Mexican army defeated the French army, the supreme military

force in the world at the time. The victory was a source of pride

in Mexico and is now the focus of the international celebration

Of Cinco de Mayo.

 

 

Presido La Bahia Del Espiritu Santo De Zunica

First founded on Garcitas creek, near Espiritu

Santo Bay in April 1722. Moved to Mission Valley,

Victoria County in 1726. From there in 1749 moved

to this, it’s final location. Site of the Massacre of

Fannin’s men, Palm Sunday March 27 1836.

Restored 1966 through the generosity of

Mrs. Thomas O’Connor under the authority of

Bishop M.S. Garriga and Bishop Thos J Drury

Raiford L Stripling was the restoration Architect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I knew 6 flags flew over Texas but didn't know 9 flags flew over Goliad, interesting!

 

 

One of the prettiest spots...

 

 

 

Presido De Nuestra Senora De Loreto De La Bahia

(Fort of our Lady of Loreto By The Bay)

One of the most historical Spanish Forts in Texas.

Popularly called Presidio La Bahia, It was founded

on Espiritu Santo (Present Lavaca) Bay in 1722. Twice

moved. It was re-established here in 1749 to protect

Espiritu Santo Mission (1/4 mile N.W.). In the Chapel is

the statue of Our Lady Of Loreto placed here in 1749.

The turbulent history of this fort has often rung with

the sound of revolution. Between 1812 and 1820

several irregular “Fil Bustering” forces, including the

Gutierrez-Macee expedition and others led by James

Long and Henry Perry, occupied or assailed the fort

for various idealistic and profiteering motives.

Here, too, 92 Texas citizens and soldiers drew up

and signed Texas’ first formal declaration of independence

on December 20, 1835. In the ensuing war for Texas

independence, Col. James Fannin and 341 prisoners of war

were held here and on Palm Sunday, 1836, were

massacred in and around the fort by their Mexican captors.

When the Fort was authentically restored, 1963-67, by the

Kathryn O’Connor foundation, nine levels of occupancy were

uncovered. Church services are now held in the chapel.

The North wall

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see I was walking outside the walls as it was past the hours of operation. I really enjoyed my walk and noticed things I hadn't noticed before...

In military architecture, an embrasure is the opening in a crenellation or battlement between the two raised solid portions or merlons, sometimes called a crenel or crenelle, looking in...

The well...

 

Century plant in bloom!

 

I wasn't sure where to go and walk but I'm glad I chose La Bahia.

 

 

All the information I posted was taken off plaques around La Bahia. I noticed a few plaques contradicted each other on dates. I am sure if you are interested more information can be found on the internet.

 

I hope you enjoyed a brief history of our area...

 

 

 

 

Hummingbird migration

I thought the huge hummingbird migration was late but after checking my videos from last year they are right on time....This is the small feeder I have on the porch. I have another larger feeder out in the yard and I've had to start refilling them daily. It is so fun to watch them!

Uh Oh!! Not just one but two!! Texas Rat Snakes!

 

I was feeding Julie when Michael yelled snake...He was getting the eggs! He came running and said not just one snake Mom but two of them! Hmmm, okay! I grabbed the snake tongs, snake hook and garbage can I use to contain them...We watched it eat an egg before I went and got the camera!!

 

 

I found the other one behind the laying box, just great!!

 

 

 All done with that egg, time for you to go somewhere else darl'in...

I caught the one that had just eaten an egg but had problems getting the other one. Actually I had it and in the trash can but Michael didn't get the lid on fast enough and it managed to get out. I let it go for now. I had one and hopefully in the next week I'll get the other one...

 I love this photo. Fred is from the old school (the only good snake is a dead snake) or he use to be. After seeing what the gophers are doing to the property and absolutely hating mice and rats he sees how snakes are beneficial and good...I ran into him on his way home and told him to help me. He isn't as afraid of them as he use to be. He took the lid off the can and then he grabbed the snake tongs and I let him play...He was trying to grab the snake. I finally told him if you tilt the trash can and lay it on it's side the snake will slither out...

 Beautiful...

A very healthy Texas Rat Snake...

Nothing like a little excitement for the evening!!