Surfside Beach in Brazoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Battle of Velasco Memorial

Photographed by Chris Kneupper, June 28, 2023

1. Battle of Velasco Memorial Marker

View of southeast side and face, looking northwest, showing monument atop knoll. Granite pavers show local award winners.

Inscription.
Fallen Heroes - Antonio Buckner, Aylett "Strap" Buckner, Andrew Castleman, Matthew Thomas Hines, Mate of Schooner, Edward Robertson, William C. Smith, David Webb, Leander Woods, Isaac Jamieson

Battle of Velasco Memorial The Battle of Velasco occurred just yards south of this location over several days in late June of 1832, as Texian militia attempted to reduce the newly-built Fort Velasco, then occupied by a Mexican army garrison. This memorial is based on a monument planned in late 1832 by the survivors of that battle to honor their fallen comrades, which was described in some detail in an obscure newspaper article (Arkansas Advocate, 6-Feb-1833). Archaeological surveys and extensive research into historical records have found no evidence that the monument was constructed at that time. However, it was recreated in 2023 by the Old Fort Velasco Historical Association and the Old Velasco/Surfside Beach Historical Committee, here at the location where fatalities of the battle are thought to be buried. This location was originally named as Monument Square, probably named for the planned monument. This memorial, built

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by a monument company in Angleton, TX, also includes the names of the surviving participants, and the article's exact words shown on the plaques on the river side.

On the 27th of June, 1832, Fort Velasco was attacked on this spot, and taken.

"It will be recollected that there was a strong fortress at the mouth of the Brazos [Velasco] garrisoned by about 150 men, well armed and provisioned with one long brass nine mounted on a carriage and one iron [one-fourth] pounder on a pivot ...we must suffer severely from the effects of their nine-pounder ...During the time our vessel [the schooner Brazoria] was getting in readiness, we had prepared a kind of breastworks for the land forces which was made of cypress plank ten or twelve feet in length nailed on battons to the widths of about four feet which were to be set up with props. ... they let off their nine-pounder and threw a double headed shot through her rigging. ... The fort was a complete circle enclosing but a small area so that it was full and completely manned. The nine-pounder was planted on an elevation in the center of perhaps ten feet above the musquetry. As soon as
Photographed by Chris Kneupper, June 28, 2023

2. Battle of Velasco Memorial
View of south corner, looking north, showing southwest and southeast faces of monument.
our company opened on the fort, it seemed to ignite instantaneously and flame like a volcano. And from that time until the battle ended, the fort seemed to emit one continued blaze of fire. ... We learned one thing, and that was in some measure to escape the shot of the nine-pounder. ...planted the palisades within thirty paces of the fort so that their nine-pounder could not be depressed enough to bear upon us, but [we] were compelled to stand the [one-fourth] pounder and the musquetry."
Henry Smith, "Reminiscences of Henry Smith"

This Monument is erected to the memory of those who fell, by those who fought with them.

"We crossed over to Velasco. Went shopping (they have one store), visited the Archer House, a fine hotel. Large 2 story with gallery painted, white, looks well. Had a commanding view. Met with Gen. [Thomas Jefferson] Green, the master spirit here who attended us in our walk - pointed to the graves of those who fell in the first battle for independence - looked at the old fort - the work of the Mexicans - Velasco looks quite a place."
Mary Austin Holley, 1838
excerpt from "The Texas Diary, 1835-1838", by Mary
Photographed by Chris Kneupper, June 28, 2023

3. Battle of Velasco Memorial
View of west corner, looking east, showing northwest and southwest faces of monument.
Austin Holley
--------------------------------------------- "While the battle of Velasco has not received much of a place in Texas history, there is no denying this was the same funnel-shaped war cloud that a few years hence was to sweep over the swamps of San Jacinto."
James Llewellyn Allhands, 1931
excerpt from "Gringo Builders", Clio Press, 1931

Here fought, here FELL, in Freedom's cause the brave! Tyrants BEWARE, Man will not be a slave.
"MONUMENT (To be erected at the Mouth of the River Brazos) In all civilized countries and ages, the chivalric deeds of the brave, have been commemorated, not only in history and song, but by lasting monuments erected on the spot where their imperishable glory was achieved. In the infancy of a country, these mementos of the bravery of her sons should never be neglected. They constitute the records of renown, and when connected with liberty, they should be hoarded as a rich and sacred treasure. Even the remains of such spirits should be treated with that respect, to which their heroism and courage entitled them - there should be something to point out the spot where their ashes lie,

Battle of Velasco Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris Kneupper, June 28, 2023

4. Battle of Velasco Memorial

View of northeast side and face, looking southwest, showing monument and granite pavers of donors.

and say, "Here rests the brave." We know of none more deserving of this honor, or who has imposed more strongly that patriotic duty on their fellow citizens, than those who nobly fought and fell on the plains of Velasco. And we feel proud to announce that the work is accordingly commenced with spirit - a subscription is making to meet the expense, and a Monument will be immediately procured from New Orleans.

DIMENSIONS AND FIGURE On this [foundation] is to be reared a solid column of white marble, measuring two and a half feet in breadth on either side; and four feet in height, surmounted by an Urn, one foot high, of the same material. It is the intention, to deposit in the marble Urn which crowns the Monument, the names of those who have subscribed to it, printed on parchment - the privilege of subscribing being exclusively confined to the citizen soldiers who were present in the action - and the whole being attended to commemorate the event, as an important epoch in the early history of our country."
Arkansas Advocate newspaper, 6-Feb-1833 This memorial was unveiled and dedicated June 27, 2023, the 191st anniversary of Fort

Photographed by Chris Kneupper, June 28, 2023

5. Battle of Velasco Memorial

Wide view of northeast face, looking southwest, showing mound and monument within surroundings.

Velasco's capture. At that dedication ceremony, some modern descendants of Texian militia that fought in the Battle of Velasco signed a parchment in their stead, which was placed in the Urn as described in the article.

Erected 2023 by Old Fort Velasco Historical Association.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical date for this entry is June 27, 1832.

Location. 28° 56.517′ N, 95° 18.006′ W. Memorial is in Surfside Beach, Texas, in Brazoria County. It is at the intersection of Monument Drive and Parkview Road, on the right when traveling south on Monument Drive. The Battle of Velasco Memorial is located just southwest of the intersection of Monument Drive and Parkview Road, just off the SW end of Monument Drive. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1415 Monument Drive, Freeport TX 77541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western

Photographed by Chris Kneupper, April 4, 2025

6. Battle of Velasco Memorial

View of refurbished Memorial from the north, looking south.

Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Site of the Republic of Texas (here, next to this marker); Old Velasco, CSA (here, next to this marker); Velasco (a few steps from this marker); Brown-Hoskins Hotel and Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Anna signed Treaties of Velasco (within shouting distance of this marker); First Republic of Texas Navy: 1835-1837 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lively (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederate Civil War Forts at Mouth of Brazos (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Surfside Beach.

More about this memorial. The monument is a four-sided obelisk-type cenotaph atop a small knoll which memorializes the fatalities of Texian militia from the Battle of Velasco, which occurred in the overnight period of 26-27 June 1832. Historical records are fragmentary,

Photographed by Kyle Sanford, April 11, 2025

7. Battle of Velasco Memorial

This is a drone photo taken from above and to the east of the Memorial, looking westward over the old Brazos River channel just inland from the mouth, toward the Freeport LNG plant and Freeport harbor

but indicate at least some of the dead were buried near the battle site. In recent years, an obscure 1833 newspaper article was discovered describing plans for a "monument" to be created in their honor by the survivors. When the town of Velasco was platted in 1837, this area was set aside as "Monument Square", believed to be intended for the described monument, but it was apparently never built. So, for the 191st anniversary of the battle (27-Jun-2023), local historical groups unveiled a modern interpretation in gray Georgia granite of the old plans, being created over the prior year, to bring some historical interpretation to this location. The lower foundation is surrounded by a small earthen knoll, featuring plaques of donors and local award winners. In the period of January to April 2025, the knoll and surrounding area were refurbished with a brick walkway, two existing historical markers and two flagpoles. The four ramps emanating from each face of the monument were concrete-stabilized and re-done with text and the names of the surviving participants. The donor and award pavers previously present were re-located to their own spots

Photographed by Kyle Sanford, April 11, 2025

8. Battle of Velasco Memorial

Drone photo from directly above Memorial; lower left corner faces north. Left side of photo shows Historical Awards Garden, with donor pavers set in the brick walkway. Left corners have two historical markers, and right corners have two 25' flagpoles. Right side shows pedestal for DRT medallion and its story.

on the northeast side. The entire complex is referred to as the Battle of Velasco Memorial. Lastly, a small brick pedestal was built on the southwest side, to designate an award given by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) to the site of Old Velasco as a "Historic Site of the Republic of Texas", based on other events a few years later.

Regarding Battle of Velasco Memorial. The cited newspaper article was re-discovered a few years ago, describing a meeting in late 1832 at San Felipe de Austin, published in the Arkansas Advocate issue of 6-Feb-1833 (Little Rock AR), quoted below. An additional paragraph is quoted below:

INSCRIPTION.
On the East side of the column, are to be inscribed the names of those who fell.
On the West side - "This Monument is erected to the memory of those who fell, by those who fought with them."
On the North side - "On the 27th of June, 1832, Fort Velasco was attacked on this spot, and taken."
On the South side - "Here fought, here FELL, in Freedom's cause the brave! Tyrants BEWARE, Man will not be a slave."
It is the intention, to deposit in the Marble urn which crowns the Monument, the names of

Photographed by Chris Kneupper, April 10, 2025

9. Battle of Velasco Memorial

Views of the Monument face and the ramps on each of the four sides

those who have subscribed to it, printed on parchment - the privilege of subscribing being exclusively confined to the citizen soldiers who were present in the action - and the whole being intended to commemorate the event, as an important epoch in the early history of our country.

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Velasco Memorial. (Submitted on June 28, 2023, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas.)
2. The Battle of Velasco. (Submitted on June 28, 2023, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2023, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,198 times since then and 165 times this year. Last updated on April 17, 2025, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 28, 2023, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. 6, 7. submitted on April 12, 2025, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. 8, 9. submitted on April 13, 2025, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the names on the memorial. • Can you help?