Runaway Scrape

Following the Battle of Gonzales, Texas delegates formed a temporary governing body known as the Consultation. Its members differed over whether the goal of the revolution was independence or a return to the Constitution of 1824. No compromise could be met & by February 1836 most of the members went home. Fifty new younger delegates were elected & on February 28th, 41 of them met at Washington-on-the-Brazos for another convention which convened on March 1st with Richard Ellis as President. George Childress lead a committee of five to draft a Declaration of Independence & within 24 hours they submitted their draft. It stated that Mexico "ceased to protect the lives , liberty & property of the people from whom its legitimate powers are derived". It also accused Mexico of "arbitrary acts of oppression & tyranny" & ultimately severed all ties with Mexico & formally established the Republic of Texas. It was unanimously approved on March 2, 1836. There was no time to celebrate. On March 6th the Convention received a letter from Alamo Cdr. William Travis begging for reinforcements. So, Sam Houston left to take command of the volunteers gathering at Gonzales. Upon his arrival Houston learned that the Alamo had fallen & its defenders massacred. In fear of the rampaging Santa Anna & his seemingly unstoppable army, the terrified people of Gonzales packed their belongings & fled for Louisiana in what was known as "The Runaway Scrape". Believing his troops were no match for Santa Anna's horde, Houston put Gonzales to the torch & headed toward the Colorado River. As word spread through Texas, residents everywhere fled. Washington on the Brazos evacuated by March 17th & Richmond by April 1st. Houston continued his march & arrived at Jared Groce's plantation in what is now Grimes County on March 30th where they camped & drilled for about two weeks. On April 4th Houston received word from interim Texas President David Burnet to stop the retreat & fight. On April 11th the Texans received a gift from the people of Cincinnati, Ohio; two cannon known as "The Twin Sisters". Thus fortified, Houston headed toward Harrisburg. Two prisoners captured by Texan spy "Deaf" Smith revealed that the Mexicans had burned Harrisburg & was headed toward the San Jacinto River led by Santa Anna himself. So, Houston headed south for a final showdown with Santa Anna.