From the Annals of Infamy –  In 1836, at least 400 Texian soldiers and volunteers were executed at LaBahia near Goliad after surrendering to Mexican troops.  After an initial victory over Mexican troops under Gen. Cox at the Battle of Bexar, Texas rebel forces were divided on strategy.  Mexican Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna reacted decisively leading a large Mexican army across the Rio Grande. While Santa Anna was leading the siege against the Alamo in San Antonio, Gen. Jose de Urrea, moved to destroy forces let by James W. Fannin.

Fannin was left with only slightly more than 300 Texans to protect Goliad, a position the rebels needed in order to maintain their supply routes to the Gulf Coast. As Urrea’s much larger 1400-man army approached, Fannin dallied while considering if he should go to the aid of the besieged men at the Alamo. Belatedly, Fannin attempted to fall back from the approaching Mexican army, but his retreat order came too late. On March 19, Urrea surrounded the small column of rebel soldiers on an open prairie, where they were trapped without food, water, or cover. After repulsing one Mexican assault, Fannin realized there was no chance of escape. Rather than see his force annihilated, Fannin surrendered.

The Texans believed they would be treated as prisoners of war. Santa Anna, however, had clearly stated several months before that he considered the rebels to be traitors who would be given no quarter. Urrea wrote to Santa Anna asking for clemency for the prisoners. Santa Anna refused and while Urrea was away from Goliad, Col. Jose Nicolas de Portilla ordered the executions. Urrea was outraged. Fannin who was the last to be executed, was killed as were his troops and about 100 other captured Texans. Twenty-eight men escaped by feigning death and a handful of others were spared thanks to the courageous efforts of Col. Francisco Garay.