This Day in Texas History: First Armed Clash Between Anglo Texans and Mexicans

This Day in Texas History:

First Armed Clash Between Anglo Texans and Mexicans
June 10, 1832

On this day in 1832, a rebel force attacked Anahuac in the first armed clash between Anglo-Texans and Mexican troops.

In 1830, Manuel de Mier y Terán ordered John Davis Bradburn to locate a site for a fort, military town, and customhouse, to be named Anahuac. Bradburn encountered hostility from his fellow Anglo-Americans when he tried to carry out his orders, which included inspecting land titles, issuing licenses to Anglo lawyers, and enforcing Mexican customs laws.

The attack was a response to Bradburn’s arrest of William B. Travis and other insurgent leaders. Bradburn agreed to exchange Travis and the other Anglos for nineteen cavalrymen held by the insurgents. The cavalrymen were released, but when Bradburn discovered that a number of rebels had remained in town overnight, he refused to free his prisoners and began firing on the town.

The insurgents withdrew to Turtle Bayou, where they drew up a series of resolutions explaining their action. Bradburn appealed for help from other military commanders in Texas. Col. José de las Piedras marched from Nacogdoches, but met with Anglo insurgents near Liberty and agreed to remove Bradburn from command and free Travis and the others.