The Runaway Scrape

The Runaway Scrape. . , In January of 1836, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna began gathering troops on the Rio Grande River to begin his attempted take-over of Texas. Texans living in the southern parts of Texas began fleeing eastward to escape the invading Mexican troops. The Alamo in San Antonio fell on March 6, 1836, with the loss of the 182 Alamo defenders. General Houston sent orders to Colonel James W. Fannin, who was in charge of a large Texas force at Goliad, to immediately retreat to Victoria until further orders. Delaying this retreat, Fannin and his troops were captured near Coleto Creek and surrendered unconditionally. Under direct orders of Mexican General Santa Anna, these 400 men were massacred near Goliad on March 27. As General Houston and his army retreated eastward, the colonists in the settlements between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers, realizing they were no longer protected, joined the exodus known as The Runaway Scrape. These refugees, including the citizens of Columbia, suffered the discomforts of disease, cold, rain and hunger. Many died and were buried where they fell. According to Columbia resident Ammon Underwood, the news of the Texan victory at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836 ended the exodus as early as April 22, and residents began making their way home.