Goliad

Goliad , city (1990 pop. 1,946), seat of Goliad co., S Tex., on the San Antonio River, SE of San Antonio. It is a market for the surrounding farm region. A Spanish mission and presidio moved to Goliad in 1749. After the start of the Texas Revolution (1836), Goliad was seized by Texan forces under Col. J. W. Fannin. When Mexican troops advanced into Texas, Fannin evacuated Goliad with about 300 men but was overtaken. After a hopeless battle, he surrendered on Mar. 20, 1836; a week later most of the prisoners were shot by the Mexicans. The American settlement grew up across the river, and the restored mission and the ruins of the old presidio are in a state park.

Goliad a town in southern Texas, 85 miles (137 kilometers) southeast of San Antonio, that was the site of two crucial battles of the Texas War of Independence (1836). The war began with the battle of Gonzales near the presidio at Goliad. Texans formed a volunteer army and seized the Mexican constabulary under the command of James W. Fannin, and James Bowie. In March 1836 Mexican Gen. José de Urrea defeated Fannin's men shortly after the fall of the Alamo. Fannin surrendered, and his men were imprisoned at Goliad. Mexican leader Antonio López de Santa Anna ordered Fannin and his men executed on March 27, which became known as the Goliad Massacre. The final battle of the war, in which the Texans defeated Santa Anna, was fought to cries of “Remember the Alamo!” and “Remember Goliad!”

Goliad, Texas/USA Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo Zuñiga The Spanish mission ‘Our Lady of the Holy Spirit of Zuniga’ was established in 1749. The present name of the historical site, in use since 1829, is said to be an anagram of (H)idalgo after Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811), a priest revered as the father of Mexican independence. However, it is possible that the name comes from the biblical Goliath.