Near Fannin in Goliad County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Battle of Coleto and Goliad Massacre

Photographed by Brian Anderson, June 20, 2009

1. Battle of Coleto and Goliad Massacre Marker

Inscription. After the fall of the Alamo, March 6, 1836, Colonel James Walker Fannin, with about 400 soldiers, mostly volunteers from the United States in the Texas War for Independence, was ordered by Texas General Sam Houston to retreat from Goliad to Victoria. March 19, the heavy Mexican force of General Urrea surrounded the withdrawing Texas contingent near Coleto Creek, and bitter fighting ensued. Fannin's volunteers hurled back the assaults of the Mexican force. On the following day, faced with several times their number, the Texans surrendered in the belief they would be treated as prisoners of war of a civilized nation. After removal to Goliad, the Fannin men were marched out and massacred on Palm Sunday under orders of Santa Anna, the general of the Mexican armies. Thus dictator Santa Anna added another infamy to that of the Alamo and gave to the men who saved Texas at San Jacinto their battle cry, "Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad". The memorial to Fannin and his men is near Goliad.

Erected 1974 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 322.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic

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list: War, Texas Independence. A significant historical date for this entry is March 19, 1836.

Location. 28° 41.224′ N, 97° 13.95′ W. Marker is near Fannin, Texas, in Goliad County. It can be reached from Farm to Market 2506. Marker is located within the Fannin Battleground State Historic Site near the interpretive exhibit and group pavilion. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 734 FM 2506, Fannin TX 77960, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: People Make a Park (here, next to this marker); From Battlefield to Picnic Grounds (a few steps from this marker); The Centennial (a few steps from this marker); Fannin Battleground Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); A Site for the People (about

The view of the Battle of Coleto and Goliad Massacre Marker from the park road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 17, 2022

2. The view of the Battle of Coleto and Goliad Massacre Marker from the park road

300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lest We Forget (about 500 feet away); Remember Goliad! (about 600 feet away); Union Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fannin.

The Goliad Massacre image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive, November 16, 2007

3. The Goliad Massacre

Drawn by A.R.W. and engraved by P. Meeder, The great American Book of Biography c. 1897.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,986 times since then and 148 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 14, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 2. submitted on February 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on December 16, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.