2. What were the effects of Father Hidalgo’s call
for rebellion?
3. What was the goal of
the Gutiérrez-Magee
Expedition?
Marking the
Text
4. Highlight the sentences
that describe the result
of the fight at San Antonio
On September 16, 1810, a priest in Dolores issued a grito, or call,
for a rebellion against the Spanish. This priest, Father Miguel Hidalgo
y Costilla, cared deeply about the people of his village. He wanted
better opportunities for these people and for all Mexicans. His call
for an uprising was a cause of key events that followed.
The beginning of the
Mexican War of
Independence
The capture and
execution of Father
Hidalgo
However, the movement for independence did not end. Father
Hidalgo had many followers who continued to work for liberation,
or freedom, from Spanish rule. José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara
(goo•TYEH•rehs day LAH•rah) was one of these followers.
Gutiérrez de Lara traveled to Washington, D.C., in 1811 to ask
the United States for help. He told American leaders of his plans to
free Texas from Spanish rule and asked them for men, money, and
supplies. He was told he would find all three in Louisiana. So he
left Washington and set sail for New Orleans.
When he arrived in New Orleans, Gutiérrez de Lara began
recruiting soldiers. Soon he had convinced an American officer to
join him. Lieutenant Augustus Magee, a West Point graduate,
resigned from the U.S. Army and joined Gutiérrez de Lara’s Texas
expedition. Magee was made military commander of what was
now called the Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition. Gutiérrez was the
overall commander.
By August 1812 the Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition had gained
many followers and was now called the Republican Army of the
North. Its soldiers included Tejanos, Native Americans, and
American filibusters. The Republican Army crossed the Sabine
River into Texas and easily captured Nacogdoches. Then the army
marched to Goliad, gathering new volunteers along the way.
The Republican Army captured Goliad in early November.
However, a large Spanish force arrived and held the rebel army
under siege for three months. When Magee died suddenly,
American Samuel Kemper took command. The Spanish forces
suffered heavy losses and retreated to San Antonio. Kemper’s
forces chased the Spanish and defeated them. Spanish officials
at San Antonio surrendered the city to the Republicans. Then
the victorious leaders issued a declaration of independence for
Texas. Soon, however, problems arose within the ranks of the
Republican leaders.
