Battle of Agua Dulce

The Battle of Agua Dulce Creek occurred approximately 26 miles (42 km) south of San Patricio on March 2, 1836 between the Republic of Mexico and the rebellious Mexican state of Texas as part of the Texas Revolution. In February 1836, Mexican General Jose Urrea led a contingent of troops along the Texas coast, intending to eventually retake Goliad. After defeating a small group of Texians in San Patricio, Urrea learned that the remainder of the group was on on its way back to San Patricio after capturing wild horses. Urrea and 60 cavalry troops waited in ambush on the morning of March 2. After a brief battle, the main body of the Texian troops was defeated. The commander of those troops, Dr. James Grant, and a second man escaped the battle and were pursued for 7 miles (11 km) before being forced to dismount. Grant was killed, as were 11 other men under his command. Six Texians were taken prisoner; contrary to Santa Anna's orders, Urrea did not execute the prisoners, but instead sent them to a jail in Matamoros. An additional six Texians escaped; five of them later died in the Goliad Massacre.