Colonel James W. Fannin had 400 men under his command at Goliad.
Fannin's Force at Goliad
At a pivotal moment in Texas history, Colonel James W. Fannin was positioned at Goliad with his force. Faced with the strategic imperative to consolidate Texian forces, General Sam Houston issued a direct order to Fannin. This directive commanded Fannin to evacuate his substantial contingent from Goliad and retreat eastward to Victoria, a town situated approximately 30 miles away. The urgency of the order was underscored by Houston's warning of an impending enemy advance, emphasizing the need to fall back to the natural defensive line offered by the Guadalupe River.
Details of Fannin's Command and Orders
The following table summarizes the key aspects of Fannin's situation and the orders he received:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Commander | Colonel James W. Fannin |
| Location | Goliad |
| Force Size | 400 men |
| Ordering Authority | General Sam Houston |
| Primary Order | Evacuate Goliad and retreat |
| Destination | Victoria, a town 30 miles east of Goliad |
| Strategic Reason | Expected immediate advance of the enemy; retreat behind the natural defense of the Guadalupe River |
