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

A Stroke of Very Good Luck

Photographed By James Hulse, October 23, 2023

1. A Stroke of Very Good Luck Marker

Inscription.
In addition to archaeology, architect Raiford L. Stripling relied on a lithographed birds-eye view of Presidio La Bahía. It was published in New York in 1836 and was based on a plan drawn by Captain Joseph M. Chadwick, a staff officer serving under Colonel Fannin. Chadwick had briefly attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and was a talented draftsman. He mailed the plan home to his mother shortly before he was killed on March 27, 1836. Raiford Stripling, afraid that the lithograph might not be a faithful interpretation of Chadwick's original drawing, searched in vain for the original. Meanwhile he proceeded with the restoration work at La Bahía. The drawing was found in a Virginia library in 1967, just two weeks before the dedication of the restored presidio. It unquestionably validated Stripling's inferences from the lithograph.

Captions
Middle: 1836 lithograph by New York company based on original drawing by Captain Joseph M. Chadwick.
Right: Original drawing by Captain Joseph M. Chadwick, March, 1836

Erected by Presidio la Bahía State Historic Site.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Forts and Castles • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical date for this entry is March 27, 1836.

Location.

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28° 38.87′ N, 97° 22.965′ W. Marker is in Goliad, Texas, in Goliad County. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of Calle Cinco de Mayo and Camino de Bexar. The marker is located inside the courtyard near the doorway to the museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Goliad TX 77963, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Replica of Texas Independence Flagpole (a few steps from this marker); The Death of Colonel Fannin (a few steps from this marker); Nine Flags Over Goliad (a few steps from this marker); Presidio la Bahia del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga (within shouting distance of this marker); Presidio La Bahía (within shouting distance of this marker); Presidio de Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía (within shouting distance of this marker); Manuel Becerra (within shouting distance of this marker); General Ignacio Zaragoza (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goliad.

More about this marker. The fort and markers are located on the grounds of the Presidio la Bahía State Historic Site which requires a small entrance fee to access.

Also see . . .
1. Presidio la Bahía State Historic Site. Texas Historical Commission

The Presidio, established in 1749 on this site during
Photographed By James Hulse, October 23, 2023

2. The view of the marker inside courtyard
the Spanish colonial period, was crucial to the development of Texas. Witnessing filibustering expeditions and playing a role in the Mexican war for independence from Spain, the Presidio was the site of the Goliad Massacre on Palm Sunday, March 1836. It played host to one of the bloodiest chapters in Texas' quest for independence from Mexico after the shocking Texian defeat at the Battle of Coleto Creek. The massacre prompted the rallying cry, "Remember Goliad" heard at the Battle of San Jacinto.

(Submitted on October 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. Chadwick, Joseph M. (1812–1836). Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Chadwick was appointed acting adjutant general when Fannin reorganized his staff about the middle of February 1836. As a military and topographical engineer Chadwick mapped Fort Defiance (La Bahía) for his commander, and with John Sowers Brooks supervised the fortification of the Goliad presidio. Lewis M.H. Washington, who also served on Fannin's staff, described Chadwick as having "a native suavity of temper and urbanity of manner, which at once made him the Pride of the battalion."

(Submitted on October 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

A side view of the marker at the museum doorway image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 23, 2023

3. A side view of the marker at the museum doorway

Fort Defiance (Presidio la Bahía) - Diagram based on drawing by Captain Joseph M. Chadwick image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - Joseph M. Chadwick, 1836

4. Fort Defiance (Presidio la Bahía) - Diagram based on drawing by Captain Joseph M. Chadwick

The tents mark the location where various companies camped within the fort. Chadwick was the Adjutant under Colonel James Fannin in 1836, and died with Fannin in 1836. The map was reprinted by the US federal government in 1856. Fannin's executions was marked with a letter (P) in the upper left corner of the diagram near the chapel and Chadwick's execution was marked with a letter (R) in the middle left of the diagram near the large flag.

The chapel at the Presidio La Bahía image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 23, 2023

5. The chapel at the Presidio La Bahía

Col. Fannin was executed near the gate on the right of the chapel.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.