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SOUTHSIDE ISD & BATTLE OF MEDINA FACTS It is the biggest battle ever fought on Texas soil Over 1,000

00 Tejanos were killed at this one battle alone More Texans died at this battle than died during the entire War of Texas Independence, 1835-1836 Many in the Republican Army were killed on land that is now Southside ISD property Serving in the Spanish army at this battle was a 19-year old lieutenant, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna 55 Spanish soldiers that were killed in the battle are buried in a mass grave at El Carmen Cemetery

*Data researched and compiled by the 7th grade Pre-AP Texas History students of Julius L. Matthey Middle School; Michelle Hickman, Principal

The Battle of Medina


(August 18, 1813)

A Part of Our Southside ISD History A Part of Our Southside ISD Heritage

Tejanos do not withdraw! ---Col. Miguel Menchaca


(after being given orders to retreat)

BATTLE OF MEDINA: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

In the early 1810s revolution racked Spains New World colonies, including Texas. Between 1811 and 1813 San Antonio was consumed by revolution and counter-revolution, which eventually resulted in the brutal murder of the Spanish governor. Afterward, the Republican Army of the North occupied San Antonio; a mix of Tejano rebels, Anglo American filibusters, and Texas Indians. In the spring of 1813, this force drove the Spanish army out of San Antonio.

On April 6, 1813 leaders of the Republican Army declared Texas independence. They wrote a constitution and formed a representative government, both firsts in Texas.

By early August 1813 the Spanish army was marching back to San Antonio. Not wanting to do battle in the streets of their hometown, Tejano rebels convinced their commander to meet the enemy south of the city. Near the Medina River, the republicans were drawn into a trap. The rebels chased a small Spanish scouting party through the sandy oak groves of southern Bexar/northern Atascosa counties right into the main body of the kings army. Spanish artillery opened up and decimated the rebels. Still the republicans put up a fierce fight. Realizing they had been ambushed the republicans fled the battlefield and ran back to San Antonio. Hundreds of rebels were killed, as they were unable to out run Spanish cavalry. When given orders to retreat, Miguel Menchaca, commander of the Tejano rebels, yelled at his superiors, Tejanos do not withdraw! He turned his horse and charged back into the fight, where he fell with his men.

When the Spanish army reached San Antonio, the Bexareos paid a terrible price. 300 men that survived the battle were publicly shot in Military Plaza. Their severed heads were displayed as a warning to other rebels. The women of San Antonio fared not much better. 500 women were forced to perform hard labor and many were sexually assaulted by Spanish soldiers.

The Battle of Medina put an end to the first constitutional government in Texas, but not the spirit of independence. Independence would have to wait 23 years for another generation of freedom-loving Texans and Tejanos

Viva Tejas libre!

FOUR FLAGS OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE

July 4, 1776

September 16, 1810

April 6, 1813

March 2, 1836

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