San Marcos in Hays County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Gen. Antonio Gaona’s 1836 Campaign

Photographed By Richard Denney, July 10, 2003

1. Gen. Antonio Gaona’s 1836 Campaign Marker

Inscription. During the War for Texas Independence, Mexican General Antonio Gaona marched his division up this road. Gaona had received his training in the Royal Spanish Army in his native Cuba. During the Mexican Revolution against Spain, however, he transferred his loyalties to those in revolt. Following Mexico’s independence in 1821, he remained in the army of his adopted country and, in 1830, was made a general.

Gaona served the Republic of Mexico throughout the Texas Campaign of 1836. Shortly after the fall of the Alamo on March 6, he arrived in San Antonio de Bexar. On March 24 Mexican dictator Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna directed Gaona to lead the Morelos Battalion and The Guanajuato Auxiliaries eastward to Nacogdoches. Marching up this road, his 725-man division crossed the San Marcos River at the low-water ford here.

While attempting to cross the flooded Colorado River at Bastrop, he received new orders to bring his division to San Felipe and rejoin Santa Anna’s main force. He lost his way, however, in the pine forest east of Bastrop. Consequently, he was unable to rendezvous for battle at San Jacinto. Following the Texas victory, Gaona withdrew his forces to Bexar and then southward to a point below the Rio Grande.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans

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• Roads & Vehicles • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 29° 50.73′ N, 97° 54.574′ W. Marker was in San Marcos, Texas, in Hays County. Marker was on North Old Bastrop Road (County Route 266) 0.3 miles north of Staples Road (County Route 621), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: San Marcos TX 78666, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Kings Highway (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lt. Zebulon M. Pike (approx. one mile away); Don Felipe Roque de la Portilla (approx. one mile away); Site of the First Town of San Marcos (approx. one mile away); Charles Lewis McGehee Cabin (approx. one mile away); Col. Ignacio Elizondo’s 1813 Campaign (approx. 1.1 miles away); McGehee Crossing (approx. 1.9 miles away); Cheatham-Hohenberg Cemetery (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Marcos.

Also see . . . Article on the marker dedication (pdf file). Describes the dedication of this and other markers on this stretch of the Camino Real. (Submitted on October 7, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)

Photographed By Richard Denney, July 10, 2003

2. Gen. Antonio Gaona’s 1836 Campaign Marker

View behind marker (edge of marker barely visible on right).

Marker missing image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney, October 5, 2013

3. Marker missing

On visit 10/5/2013 the marker was missing. Photo shows marker pole.

Photographed By Richard Denney

4. Marker missing

This Google image dated 2011 shows the marker was still in place at that time.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,169 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 7, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.