Who Captured La Bahía?

Mexican forces, commanded by Colonel Juan Ignacio Pérez, were responsible for the capture of the filibustering army led by James Long at La Bahía. This event took place in September 1821.

The Surrender at La Bahía

In a pivotal moment during the early 19th century, specifically in September 1821, the presidio of La Bahía (modern-day Goliad, Texas) became the site of a significant surrender. The event involved two primary forces:

• James Long's Filibustering Army: This Anglo-American expedition represented an early and ambitious attempt by individuals from the United States to wrest Texas from Spanish control. Their objective was to establish an independent Texas, challenging the existing colonial authority.
• Mexican Forces: These military units were under the command of Colonel Juan Ignacio Pérez. As part of the Spanish colonial defense, and soon to be forces of newly independent Mexico, they were tasked with maintaining control over the territory.

The encounter culminated in the surrender of James Long's forces to Colonel Juan Ignacio Pérez's Mexican troops at La Bahía. This act effectively meant that the Mexican forces secured control of the situation and the opposing army at the location, leading to the capture of the filibusters.

Significance of the Event

The capture of Long's expedition at La Bahía underscored the challenges faced by early Anglo-American adventurers attempting to exert influence or seize territory within Spanish Texas. It demonstrated the determination of the existing authorities to defend their control, even as Spain itself was on the cusp of losing its grip on Mexico.

This event remains an important footnote in the complex history of Texas, highlighting the transitional period from Spanish colonial rule to Mexican independence and the burgeoning Anglo-American interest in the region.