José de Urrea
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José de Urrea (19 March 1797 – 1 August 1849) was a noted general for the Republic of Mexico. He fought under General Antonio López de Santa Anna during the Texas Revolution. Urrea's forces were never defeated in battle. His most notable success was that of the Goliad Campaign, in which James Fannin's ca. 400 soldiers were surrounded and induced to capitulate under terms, but were massacred in Urrea's absence on the orders of Santa Anna.[1]
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[edit] Early life
Urrea was born at El Presidio de San Augustín de Tucson (present day Tucson, Arizona). Despite being born on the northern frontier of Mexico, his family had deep roots in the state of Durango.
[edit] Military career
In 1807 Urrea entered the Spanish army as a cadet, becoming a lieutenant in 1816.[2] In 1824 he rose to the rank of captain, but he resigned from the army and entered private life. In 1829 he rejoined the military as a major and helped to liberate the city of Durango, allying himself with Antonio López de Santa Anna. He was promoted to colonel for his actions. In 1835 he reluctantly took part in Santa Anna's attack on the state of Zacatecas (the state had openly rebelled against his rise to power). He was promoted to Brigadier General for his role in this.
[edit] Texas Rebellion
When the Mexican state of Texas also rebelled against Santa Anna's Federalist government, Urrea was sent there to help put down the colonists. He defeated the Texas forces at the Battle of San Patricio, Battle of Refugio, Goliad and Battle of Coleto. The last, also known as the "Goliad Massacre", included the deliberate slaughter of Texans who had surrendered. The execution of prisoners, however, was not Urrea's choice, but an order by General Santa Anna.
Due to Urrea's string of victories, Santa Anna decided to stay in Texas and personally finish off the rebellious Texas government. His motives were personal and political[citation needed] as Urrea was getting all the headlines and would be seen back in Mexico as a more popular figure.
[edit] Aftermath
The military defeat of Santa Anna's forces at San Jacinto resulted in his ordering all Mexican forces to withdraw from Texas soil. Urrea was infuriated and wanted to link up with Vicente Filisola, but had no choice but to comply with his orders. In 1837 Urrea turned against Santa Anna and fought against him at the battle of Mazatlán in 1838. The attempted uprising resulted in his eventual arrest, and he was sent Perote Prison.[2] He later briefly revived his military career with the invasion of French forces of Mexico, but another failed coup attempt followed.
The Mexican-American War saw Urrea leading a cavalry division. Urrea died of cholera soon after the war ended.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ The Goliad Massacre, Presidio La Bahia, Goliad, Texas, Presidio Nuestra Senora De Loreto De La Bahia, Friends of the Fort website, accessed 28 Oct 2006"
- ^ a b Ohlendorf, Shelia M. "Urrea, José de". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
[edit] External links
- José de Urrea from the Handbook of Texas Online
[edit] Further reading
- Hoyt, Edwin P.;The Alamo-An Illustrated History; Taylor Publishing; ISBN 0-87833-288-X
