When I was planning our South Texas trip, I saw the Fannin Memorial Monument on the map, but I did not realize it was about James Walker Fannin... what a true Texas hero - and he was born in Georgia!
I am so glad my daughters and I made the effort to visit the monument on May 27, 2025.
At the Presidio La Bahía which is nearby to the west, we learned even more about the monument. In fact, I recommend you visit La Bahía first, then drive around the area to see all these other points of interest.
Back to Fannin... The Fannin Memorial Monument marks the burial site of Colonel Fannin and over 300 of his fellow volunteer militia men known as the Texians.
A massacre... During the Battle of Coleto, while Fannin and his men were retreating away from Presidio La Bahía, Mexican General José de Urrea and his men brutally attacked them. Snuck up on them! There were many mistakes made along the way, but I am sure Fannin tried his best with what he had.
Ultimately, a wounded Fannin presented terms for surrender. Urrea wanted to fulfill those white flag wishes, but he first had to write to Mexican president and General Antonio López de Santa Anna who was already at that point a "take no prisoners" sort.
After Urrea forced all of the Texians including Fannin to return to La Bahía as prisoners of war, Santa Anna later ordered them all to be executed at dawn. Not a single death request was honored.
"His three dying wishes were to be shot in the chest, given a Christian burial and have his watch sent to his family. Instead, the Mexican commanding officer shot Fannin in the face, burned his body with the others and kept the timepiece as a war prize."
Many Texans and historians believe, though, if it had not been for this massacre that Sam Houston and his Texas army would not have secured victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, thus Independence for the Lone Star State.
While writing this review, I learned that "the Fannin site was the third historic site acquired by the state behind the Alamo and San Jacinto Battleground."
"Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!"
Goliad is a treasure trove of much more history and other significant sites. The people of the town are friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend.
Works Cited
https://authentictexas.com/remember-goliad/
https://www.humanitiestexas.org/programs/tx-originals/list/james-fannin
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/coleto-battle-of
https://www.history.com/articles/the-goliad-massacre-the-other-alamo read more