Find more facts and information on our topic page about
Goliad
Santa Anna, Antonio Lopez De
The Oxford Companion to American Military History
|
2000
|
|
© The Oxford Companion to American Military History 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000. (Hide copyright information)
Copyright
Santa Anna, Antonio Lopez De (1794–1876), Mexican general and politician.An opportunist, Santa Anna shifted allegiance from party to party in Mexico. As dictator, his consolidation of power in 1835 prompted resistance in several Mexican regions, including Texas. Santa Anna took personal command of an army of 6,000 in early 1836. He made significant strategic and tactical errors in the campaign against the
Texas War of Independence, which ultimately resulted in his defeat and capture at the
Battle of San Jacinto.
Despite his slaughter of the defenders of the
Battle of the Alamo, and the execution of those captured around Goliad, Santa Anna survived death threats and imprisonment. He returned to Mexico in time to lead resistance against the French in 1838, made a triumphal return from exile in 1846, and recruited an army of 25,000 to face the United States in the
Mexican War.
Again, Santa Anna displayed more talent for rallying support and planning a campaign than for executing strategy. His only offensive of the war failed at the
Battle of Buena Vista (1847), due mainly to superior U.S.
artillery under Gen.
Zachary Taylor.
He then implemented a plan to defend easternmost mountain passes, confining the enemy to unhealthy coastal areas. However, at Cerro Gordo (1847), Santa Anna failed to reinforce positions that were turned, resulting in a rout. He managed to collect a considerable force in retreat to Mexico City but was unable to inspire the confidence necessary for a strong resistance. Mexico City fell to Gen.
Winfield Scott's army, and Santa Anna was exiled once more. He returned to rule as “perpetual dictator” from 1853 to 1855, when revolutionaries finally drove him from power.
Santa Anna's failure as a military commander resulted from a character susceptible to delusions of grandeur but lacking in trust sufficient to delegate details to sub ordinates.
[See also
Mexican Revolution, U.S. Military Involvement in the.]
Bibliography
Antonio Santa Anna, Ann Fears Craw Ford, ed., The Eagle: The Autobiography of Santa Anna, 1988.
Paul D. Lack
Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.
|
LETTER FROM GOLIAD; To Residents, Texas Town's Obscurity Is as Painful as Its Bloody Past
Newspaper article from: The Washington Post; 12/30/1991; ; 687 words
; ...from here. Even though the ranch is in Goliad County, reporters invariably base their...to mention that the president stays in Goliad County," said Sheriff J.K. McMahan...guarded the Lazy F's entrance Saturday. Goliad residents are accustomed to being overlooked...
|
 "Victoria Advocate (Victoria, TX)")
|
Goliad flies them proudly: Nine flags over Goliad include one unique to the area.
Newspaper article from: Victoria Advocate (Victoria, TX); 6/14/2006; 700+ words
; ...fought to gain independence. Pat Hathcock takes a look at the origin of the Goliad flag, which flies at the Presidio La Bahia as one of the "nine flags over Goliad." GOLIAD -- They fly nine flags in front of Presidio La Bahia. There are your...
|
|
|
Goliad's Good Example: Goliad County Is Saving Cats And Dogs With Its Free Spay And Neuter Program.
Newspaper article from: Victoria Advocate (Victoria, TX); 10/20/2006; 700+ words
; ...free spay and neuter program offered in Goliad County has reduced the number of roaming...cats killed were too wild for homes. Goliad County has nearly become a no-kill county...County become the same? BY THE NUMBERS Goliad Pet Adoption Inc., a nonprofit group...
|
|
|
Paddling trail opens at Goliad Park.
Newspaper article from: Victoria Advocate (Victoria, TX); 4/26/2007; 700+ words
; Byline: Sonny Long Apr. 26--GOLIAD -- Canoers and kayakers now have access...paddling trail on the San Antonio River in Goliad County. As part of the state's paddling trail network, the 6.6-mile long Goliad Paddling Trail will include highway signage...
|
|
|
Goliad school district adds cash to attract math, Spanish teachers: High school teachers in those subjects will receive signing bonus and stipend.
Newspaper article from: Victoria Advocate (Victoria, TX); 5/17/2007; 700+ words
; Byline: Sonny Long May 17--GOLIAD -- High school math and Spanish teachers...they sign a two-year contract with the Goliad Independent School District. The school...URANIUM MINING CO. SCHOLARSHIP Three Goliad County residents addressed the board concerning...
|
|
GOLIAD STATE PARK CELEBRATES MAJOR RESTORATION
News Wire article from: US Fed News Service, Including US State News; 6/12/2006; 700+ words
; ...following news release: On June 16, Goliad State Park and Mission Espritu Santo State...buildings. The approximately $850,000 Goliad repair project was funded through Proposition...and other facilities. The multi-year Goliad restoration project was needed to stem...
|
|
|
Goliad uranium mining conference scheduled.
Newspaper article from: Victoria Advocate (Victoria, TX); 9/6/2006; 700+ words
; Sep. 6--GOLIAD -- A two-day educational conference on uranium testing and mining in Goliad County is set for Wednesday and Thursday...mineral leasing; Art Dohman, director of Goliad County Groundwater District; and a panel of...
|
|
|
Opponents against mining stand firm: Goliad County protesters gain support against uranium mining.
Newspaper article from: Victoria Advocate (Victoria, TX); 9/27/2007; 700+ words
; ...oak trees, opponents of uranium mining in Goliad County stated their case and dug in their heels. Goliad Economic Development Coordinator Sandra...just a local issue. "This is not just a Goliad County issue. It's much bigger than that...
|
|
|
Goliad council plans for city's growth.
Newspaper article from: Victoria Advocate (Victoria, TX); 2/28/2005; 700+ words
; Byline: Robin M. Foster Feb. 28--GOLIAD -- Goliad City Council concluded a yearlong review last week of a...The management plan identifies existing land uses within Goliad and details needs in other areas, such as housing, streets...
|
|
|
Goliad district looking at special education options: Parting ways with nine-district cooperative is one choice.
Newspaper article from: Victoria Advocate (Victoria, TX); 12/21/2006; 700+ words
; Byline: Sonny Long Dec. 21--GOLIAD -- Goliad school district officials are looking into options for operation...options include ending the district's partnership with the Goliad Special Education Cooperative and creating its own special...
|
|
Goliad
Book article from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
Goliad , city (1990 pop. 1,946), seat of Goliad co., S Tex., on the San Antonio River, SE of San Antonio...surrounding farm region. A Spanish mission and presidio moved to Goliad in 1749. After the start of the Texas Revolution (1836...
|
|
Mexican-American War
Encyclopedia entry from: International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences
...observers of the Texans ’ struggle further developed because of Mexico ’ s Goliad campaign of 1836 (also referred to as the “ Goliad massacre ” ). This event has taken second place to the Alamo in American memory...
|
|
Texas War of Independence
Book article from: The Oxford Companion to American Military History
...handful remained at Béxar, but most concentrated around Goliad near the coast. Sam Houston, a dynamic former governor of...Declaration of Independence and worked on a constitution. At Goliad, Col. James W. Fannin dispersed his men in vain efforts to...
|
|
Fannin, James Walker
Book article from: The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military
Fannin, James Walker (1809–36) army colonel from Georgia who fought in the Texas War of Independence (1836) and whose surrender to Mexican forces led to his execution and that of more than 340 Texans in what came to be known as the Goliad Massacre .
|
|
|
Prisoners of War
Book article from: The Oxford Companion to American Military History
...Mexican leader Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna refused to take prisoners. Texans captured at the Battle of the Alamo and at Goliad were executed. During the Mexican War (1846–48), although native Texans captured serving with the U.S. Army...
|
