The Goliad Massacre took place on March 27, 1836 at the fort known as Presidio La Bahía. General Santa Anna of the Mexican Army ordered the execution of Col. James Fannin, Lt. Col. William Ward, and approximately 340 Texian soldiers after they surrendered under the belief they would be treated as prisoners of war. The massacre inspired the famous battle cry “Remember Goliad!” and fueled Texian resolve for independence and ultimately bolstered support for Sam Houston’s army, contributing to the final victory at the Battle of San Jacinto. 

During the Texas Revolution, Charles Drake Ferris served as a spy for Moseley Baker, sending messages about Mexican troop movements. He claimed to his family that he fought at the Battle of San Jacinto. However, his name is not included in the list of soldiers who fought in the battle. In, 1837, Charles wrote a passionate poem to honor Col. James Fannin and the fallen soldiers slaughtered at the Massacre of La Bahía. The poem, entitled “Fannin, or the Massacre of La Bahía” is included in a previous post on this blog, however it deserves to be recognized and promoted individually as an important and insightful reflection of a significant event during the Texas Revolution.