Battle of Concepción:
First Texian Victory in the Texas Revolution. The Battle of Concepción, fought on October 28, 1835, near Mission Concepción Bejar (San Antonio).
On October 13, the newly created Texian Army under Stephen F. Austin had marched towards Bejar, where General Martin Perfecto de Cos commanded the remaining Mexican soldiers in Texas. On October 27, Austin sent Colonel James Bowie and Captain James Fannin, with 90 soldiers, to find a defensible spot for the Texian Army to rest. After choosing a site near Mission Concepción, the scouting party camped for the night and sent a courier to notify Austin. After learning that the Texian Army was divided, Cos sent Ugartechea with 275 soldiers to attack the Texians camped at Concepción. The Texians took cover in a heavy tree lined horseshoe-shaped gully. This excellent defensive position helped them to repel several Mexican attacks. The Texians opened fire with their long rifles, delivering accurate volleys that inflicted heavy casualties. The Mexican cavalry tried to dislodge the Texians but failed, because the wooded terrain prevented effective charges. The Mexicans also proved to be ineffective as most of the artillery shots sailed over the Texian positions. According to Texian Noah Smithwick, 'grapeshot and canister thrashed through the pecan trees overhead, raining a shower of ripe nuts down on us, and I saw men picking them up and eating them with as little concern as if they were being shaken down by a norther”. James Bowie’s official report to S.F. Austin Bowie remarked that 'The discharge from the enemy was one continued blaze of fire, whilst that from our lines was more slowly delivered, but with good aim and deadly effect.
Now the Mexican soldiers retreated just 30 minutes before the remainder of the Texian Army arrived. Historians estimate that between 14 and 76 Mexican soldiers were killed, while only one Texian soldier died.
Factors made the battle important: • It proved the effectiveness of Texian riflemen, with excellent marksmanship skills.
• It boosted Texian morale, encouraging more volunteers to join.
• It weakened Mexican confidence in their ability to quickly suppress the rebellion.
Note: You can still see the Pecan Grove in the background.
This was Sion R. Bostick’s second encounter with the Mexican Army (age 15 yrs 10 months) Although the battle did not immediately secure San Antonio, it set the stage for the Siege of Béxar (October - December 1835). The Texan final assault took place December 9, 1835 as this victory forced Mexican General Martín Perfecto de Cos to surrender and retreat.
Now the Commemorative Lone Star Flag marches on, come join me in San Antonio on December 9th.