Presidio La Bahia - Living History Program

Lodging When Visiting Presidio La Bahia And Goliad

For information about the next reenactment, visit the Events Calendar page.

Presidio La Bahia's Living History Program was developed to provide the public with an accurate reenactment of the famous massacre of Colonel Fannin and his men.

The reenactors wear the uniforms and clothing of the time period, 1836. Weapons used are accurately depicted.

The March reenactment begins with Fannin's troops abandoning Presidio La Bahia, under orders from Texian General Sam Houston. Fannin's men were to link up with General Sam Houston's main army. Having crossed the San Antonio River, one of their cannons is lost in the river. They waste valuable time recovering the cannon. Then, a supply wagon breaks down. While the wagon is being repaired, it is decided to allow the oxen to feed, since they

were not fed the night before. A host of other delays continues to slow the Texians. The Texians are about 9-miles East of Presidio La Bahia, when advanced units of the Mexican Army under the command of General Jos� de Urrea catch up and surround Fannin's men in an open prairie and the beginning of a two day battle ensues. The battle will become known as "The Battle Of Coleto Creek".

On the second day of the battle, Fannin agrees to surrender his men to General Urrea. Those men that were not wounded are returned to Presidio La Bahia and held in the chapel. Those that are severely wounded and could not be easily moved remain at the battle field for up to three days, including Colonel Fannin.

The reenactment of the battle of Coleto Creek takes place in front of Presidio La Bahia, between the fort and highway 183 (77A). Seating for visitors during the reenactment of the battle of Coleto creek is along the hill side, next to the parking lot and museum entrance.

After the reenactment all the reenactors return inside the walls of the fort and their respective camp sites. Visitors are welcome to visit the reenactors and ask questions.

You will discover that most of the reenactors have studied the lives and families of the characters that they are supposed to represent. These individuals will speak to you in the "first person". That means, they are portraying an individual that was actually living in 1836. Don't bother to ask them about the battle of San Jacinto, because to them, that is in the future, and they will know nothing of it.

Other reenactors will speak to you in the "second person". They have knowledge of events beyond the Goliad Massacre, and of life after the Texas Revolution. These individuals will have received information from individuals that lived during the Texas Revolution.

Meet with Colonel Fannin, General Urrea, and their men. See how they lived day-to-day. Ask questions of the day's events and of their life styles in 1836.

Ask the reenactors about life in camp and what foods they ate, and how they obtained their food? How were their clothing and weapons made? How did they fire their weapons?

Bugle calls signalled to the Mexican soldiers what they should do during battle. Ask what the individual bugle calls mean, and how the soldiers were trained to react to different moves?

The next day, the reenactment of the massacre takes place. Some of the Texians are marched out the main gate, while the wounded are placed in the quadrangle of the fort and killed.

During this portion of the reenactment, several Mexican officers, Mexican General Urrea's wife, and Pacheta Alevesco "The Angle of Goliad" save what lives they can.