The Burning of San Felipe

The Burning of San Felipe. . , After the fall of the Alamo on March 6th, 1836 General Sam Houston and his Texian volunteers retreated to the east from Gonzales. Colonists evacuated and abandoned their homes and property in what became known as the Runaway Scrape., Local militia captain Moseley Baker and others expressed frustration at the retreat towards the United States and the danger it posed to families in the heart of Austin's colony. Colonists in the path of the advancing Texian and Mexican forces were forced to abandon their property and flee towards the United States. General Houston ordered the local men to tend to their families while he marched the bulk of the Texian force to an encampment north of San Felipe at Groce's Plantation. A mistaken scouting report prompted the burning of the town on March 29th. Arriving at the west bank of the Brazos River on April 6th, Mexican soldiers fired on the Texians who had taken position on the other side to prevent a crossing. After a few days, Santa Anna ended the stalemate by moving south to cross the river further downstream., Captions , San Felipe flag, sometimes referred to as the Mosley Baker Flag, In the United States to seek support for the war effort in early 1836, Stephen F. Austin and fellow commissioners Branch T. Archer and William H. Wharton considered the design of an "independent flag". The Telegraph and Texas Register issue of March 5th described the flag, presented to the local militia under the command of Moseley Baker: "...the English Jack showing the origins of Anglo-Americans, thirteen stripes representing that most of the colonists are from the United States; the Star is Texas, the only state in Mexico retaining the least spark of the light of Liberty; tricolor is Mexican, showing that we once belonged to the confederacy; the whole flag is historic.", Mexican president and general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna camped with his men amidst the smoldering ruins of San Felipe from April 6 to 10, 1836. Mexican troops following behind Santa Anna then occupied the remains of the town for several more days. , William Barret Travis operated a law office in San Felipe, 1833-1836, before he took command of the Texian forces at the Alamo. His letter calling for reinforcements addressed "To the People of Texas and All Americans" was marked "Send this to San Felipe by express day and night." , Recent archeological investigations uncovered the fireplace footing to Peyton's Tavern, a popular inn that served residents of San Felipe including Travis. Angelina Peyton wrote of the Runaway Scrape: "Great commotion - destruction of property - said to Captain Baker, don't burn the town - all I have is there.", Residents of San Felipe evacuated their homes and the town was burned as part of the Runaway Scrape. Militia volunteers from the town served with Sam Houston in the victory over Santa Anna's forces at San Jacinto (east of modern-day Houston).