Martín Perfecto de Cos
Born
in Veracruz in 1800, General Cos saw more action during the Texas Revolution
than most Mexican officers. In 1835, the 36-year-old general commanded troops
during the siege and storming of Béxar. In 1836, he fought at the Alamo and
later at San Jacinto. He was related to Santa Anna, but sources disagree
exactly how. In Mary Austin Holley’s 1836 book, she labeled Cos as Santa Anna’s
brother-in-law; others identified him as a cousin or nephew. Yet, Cos’s service
records reveal that he was single in 1836. He later married Santa Anna’s sister, but that was not until 1840.
José Nicolás de la Portilla
Lieutenant
Colonel Portilla was born in Vera Cruz in 1808. Following the battle of Coleto,
General José de Urrea placed Texan prisoners under Portilla’s custody at
Goliad. On March 26, Mexican Dictator Santa Anna directed him to execute his
captives immediately. But, he also received Urrea’s instructions to "treat the prisoners with
consideration.” He passed an agonizing night before concluding he had no
option but to follow the supreme commander’s directive, resulting in the Goliad
Massacre, during which Mexican soldiers gunned down some 342 helpless Texans.
The shame of that decision followed Portilla to his grave.