Gonzales Texas holds a distinct place in American history as the site where the Texas Revolution officially began. Established in August 1825 by empresario Green DeWitt, it served as the capital of the DeWitt Colony and stood as the westernmost Anglo-American settlement until the conflict concluded. Understanding the roots of this proud community requires looking past modern myths to examine the frontier hardships, political friction with Mexico, and the military sparks that ignited a fight for independence.
The creation of the town traces back to land grants issued by the Mexican government to attract settlers to Coahuila y Tejas. Green DeWitt, joined by surveyor James Kerr, laid out a settlement near the Guadalupe River. DeWitt named the new community in honor of Rafael Gonzáles, who served as the provisional governor of the state of Coahuila y Tejas. Early life on this frontier proved punishing. Frequent conflicts with local Native American tribes forced settlers to abandon the original site in 1826, but colonists returned by 1827 to rebuild the grid pattern that largely survives today.
The Spark of Revolution and the Come and Take It Cannon
Political tensions between Texas colonists and Mexican authorities escalated through the early 1830s. The flashpoint arrived in Gonzales in October 1835. Mexican Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea commanded a small cannon stationed in Gonzales to help settlers defend against Native American raids. Fearing a growing rebellion, Ugartechea ordered Lieutenant Francisco de Castañeda to retrieve the brass piece.
The townspeople refused to surrender the weapon. Instead, local blacksmiths and settlers forged ammunition, mounted the small cannon on the back of an ox cart, and hoisted a homemade white flag bearing a black star and the defiant words Come and Take It. On October 2, 1835, a brief skirmish broke out across the Guadalupe River. The local militia fired the cannon, forcing the Mexican detachment to withdraw. This minor military exchange marked the literal opening salvo of the Texas Revolution.
The Immortal 32 and the Runaway Scrape
As the war widened, Gonzales answered the call for broader provincial defense. In early 1836, when Colonel William B. Travis sent urgent pleas for reinforcement from the Alamo in San Antonio, Gonzales stood as the only community to respond. A group of 32 men, later known to history as the Immortal 32, rode out from Gonzales into the Alamo, knowing the mission was perilous. Every single one of them perished during the final assault on March 6, 1836.
Following the fall of the Alamo, survivors like Susanna Dickinson brought grim news back to Gonzales. General Sam Houston arrived in the town to organize the fractured Texan army, but realizing the town was indefensible against General Antonio López de Santa Anna's advancing forces, Houston ordered an evacuation. The residents fled eastward in a panicked mass migration known as the Runaway Scrape, burning the town behind them so the advancing Mexican army could find no supplies.
Postwar Reconstruction and Economic Evolution
After the decisive Texan victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, residents drifted back to the charred ruins of Gonzales to rebuild. By 1850, the population reached a modest 300 residents, expanding steadily toward 1,703 by the outbreak of the Civil War. Agriculture, cotton farming, and cattle ranching drove the local economy through the late nineteenth century.
The arrival of railroads in the late 1800s connected Gonzales to major regional markets, sparking commercial growth and drawing diverse immigrant populations, including merchants and tradespeople who shaped the local culture. Historic preservation became a priority for the community in the twentieth century. The City of Gonzales maintains dozens of nineteenth-century structures, including the landmark Gonzales County Jail and the Richardsonian Romanesque-style courthouse.
Common Historical Misconceptions
- The cannon was a heavy artillery piece: The famous weapon was actually a small, six-pounder swivel cannon originally intended for defense against Indian raids rather than pitched field battles against regular infantry.
- Gonzales was an instant boomtown: The settlement suffered multiple forced evacuations and near-total destruction during its first decade, requiring colonists to rebuild their homes from scratch more than once.
- The Runaway Scrape was coordinated: While framed as a strategic retreat by Sam Houston, the evacuation was largely a chaotic civilian flight driven by genuine terror of Santa Anna's advancing troops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the phrase Come and Take It mean in Gonzales history?
The phrase originated from the defiant response given by Gonzales settlers when Mexican soldiers demanded the surrender of their town defense cannon in October 1835. It has since become a universal symbol of civilian resistance against government overreach.
Why did Gonzales send men to the Alamo?
The town maintained close family and economic ties with settlers in San Antonio. When Travis sent messages detailing the desperate siege, the local militia recognized that failing to defend the Alamo would leave Gonzales directly exposed to the advancing Mexican army.
How did the town survive being burned during the Runaway Scrape?
Residents returned to the ashes following the victory at San Jacinto in April 1836. Utilizing the original town grid surveyed by James Kerr, they cleared the debris and rapidly reconstructed homes and businesses using timber from nearby river bottoms.
Where can visitors see artifacts from the Battle of Gonzales today?
The Texas State Historical Association notes that regional artifacts, including the authentic cannon from the historic clash, are preserved and displayed within local museums in Gonzales County, alongside restored historic homes across the district.
