Responding to increasing threats from nearby Louisiana by the Americans and French, Spain mobilized its military into the frontiers of Texas at the beginning of the 18th century. But the Spanish armies would soon turn their attention to internal unrest.
Father Miguel Hidalgo’s 1810 anti-Spanish rebellion spread like wildfire across Mexico and into Texas. Although they were supposed to battle the revolutionaries, several members of the battalion stationed in Texas (known unofficially as the Alamo Company) switched sides and joined forces with the Mexican rebels and American volunteers, otherwise known as filibusters, who attempted to turn Texas into an independent republic.
In August 1813, a Spanish loyalist army crushed the revolt at the Battle of Medina. Many of the rebels were forced to flee Texas. With order restored, the company resumed its old role of fighting Comanche Indians and repelling interlopers. However, American filibusters would threaten Spanish control of Texas for several more years. (Alamo, 1)
In an ironic twist of fate, a young Mexican officer serving in the Spanish army, Lieutenant Antonio López de Santa Anna, helped defeat the rebels at Medina. The future dictator and tyrant of Mexico was even commended for his bravery at the battle.
Father Miguel Hidalgo’s 1810 anti-Spanish rebellion spread like wildfire across Mexico and into Texas. Although they were supposed to battle the revolutionaries, several members of the battalion stationed in Texas (known unofficially as the Alamo Company) switched sides and joined forces with the Mexican rebels and American volunteers, otherwise known as filibusters, who attempted to turn Texas into an independent republic.
In August 1813, a Spanish loyalist army crushed the revolt at the Battle of Medina. Many of the rebels were forced to flee Texas. With order restored, the company resumed its old role of fighting Comanche Indians and repelling interlopers. However, American filibusters would threaten Spanish control of Texas for several more years. (Alamo, 1)
In an ironic twist of fate, a young Mexican officer serving in the Spanish army, Lieutenant Antonio López de Santa Anna, helped defeat the rebels at Medina. The future dictator and tyrant of Mexico was even commended for his bravery at the battle.