Francita Alavez or the “Angel of
Goliad”
In
1836, Francita Alavez accompanied Mexican Army Captain Telesforo Alavez on
campaign; she was then about twenty years old. At Goliad, she exercised her
influence with Mexican officials to have them spare the lives of many Texan
prisoners of war. Because of her appeals, more than 100 rebels evaded
execution. Following San Jacinto, she withdrew to Matamoros, where she provided
assistance to other captured Texans. Later, when Alavez abandoned her, Francita
became destitute. Recalling her many compassionate deeds, Texan friends came to
her aid and she spent the remainder of her days working on the King Ranch.
Francisco de Castañeda
Lieutenant
Castañeda played decisive parts in both the opening and closing incidents of
the Texas Revolution. As a member of the Second Flying Company of San Carlos,
he billeted inside the secularized (but not abandoned) San Antonio de Valero
Mission. On September 27, 1835, Castañeda led 100 dragoons to Gonzales to
retrieve a cannon. But residents refused to relinquish their ordnance and the
battle of Gonzales—the “Lexington of Texas”—resulted. On June 4, 1836, Juan
Seguín, an officer of the Texas Republic, accepted the formal surrender of San
Antonio from Castañeda, in the revolution’s last official act.