The First Shots of the Texas Revolution

In the autumn of 1835, a modest six-pounder cannon in the Mexican state of Texas became the unlikely flashpoint of a revolution. The Battle of Gonzales—often called the “Lexington of Texas”—erupted over demands to surrender the cannon, leading Texian settlers to raise a banner emblazoned with a lone star, a cannon, and the defiant words “Come and Take It.” While this event is often framed solely as an Anglo-American struggle against Mexican centralism, its roots run deeper into the complex history of Native American raids, colonial defense, and the entangled alliances that shaped the Texas frontier. This article explores the full context of the Gonzales cannon, from its provision for defense against Comanche and other tribal attacks to its role as a symbol of resistance, and examines how Native American history remains interwoven with the story of Texas independence.

The Cannon’s Origins: Defense Against Native Raids

In 1825, Green DeWitt, an empresario granted permission by the Mexican government, led some 400 Anglo-American settlers into the territory of Texas, establishing the DeWitt Colony near the confluence of the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers. The colony’s capital, Gonzales, quickly became a target for Comanche and other Native American raids, which threatened the settlers’ survival. To bolster the outpost’s defenses, DeWitt requested military assistance from Mexican authorities. In 1831, the Mexican government supplied Gonzales with a small 6-pound cannon. This piece of artillery was intended not for war against Mexico, but for protection against Indigenous incursions that had repeatedly struck the settlement. The cannon, however, was of limited effectiveness: it had been spiked (rendered useless by driving a spike into its touch hole) and primarily produced noise and smoke when fired, serving more as a psychological deterrent than a functional weapon.

For further context on how Native American tribes shaped the broader history of European colonization and American expansion, see this overview of Native American cultures, facts, and regions.

Growing Tensions: Santa Anna’s Centralism and Disarmament

By the 1830s, the political landscape of Mexico had shifted dramatically. General Antonio López de Santa Anna seized power, overturned the federal constitution of 1824, and declared himself dictator. His centralist regime viewed the Anglo-American settlers—known as Texians—with suspicion, fearing their growing autonomy and ties to the United States. In 1835, Santa Anna ordered the disarmament of the Texians, including the reclamation of the Gonzales cannon. The settlers, who had relied on the cannon for defense against Native raids, now saw the Mexican government as an even greater threat to their security and rights.

On September 27, 1835, Domingo de Ugartechea, commander of Mexican forces in Texas, dispatched Lieutenant Francisco de Castañeda with 100 dragoons to retrieve the cannon, with orders to avoid bloodshed if possible. When Castañeda’s men reached the flood-swollen Guadalupe River, they found eighteen Gonzales militiamen—the “Old Eighteen”—arrayed on the opposite bank. The Texans stalled for time, claiming their leader was absent and that the Mexicans would have to wait. Meanwhile, reinforcements poured in from surrounding settlements.

The Battle of Gonzales: “Come and Take It”

On October 1, about 170 Texians, commanded by John Henry Moore, crossed the Guadalupe River and marched toward Castañeda’s camp. They brought the disputed cannon, mounted on a makeshift caisson. Under cover of thick fog, they approached the Mexican encampment. A barking dog alerted the Mexicans, and a brief exchange of fire erupted before dawn on October 2. After the fog lifted, a parley failed to produce a peaceful resolution. The Texans then unfurled a handmade white banner—reportedly fashioned from the wedding dress of Naomi DeWitt, daughter of Green DeWitt—bearing a black star, a silhouette of the cannon, and the words “Come and Take It.” The slogan, echoing an earlier use by Colonel John McIntosh at Fort Morris, Georgia, in 1778, became the rallying cry of the Texas Revolution.

The Texans fired their cannon, loaded with scrap iron and chain, and Moore led a charge. Castañeda, following orders not to engage in a full battle, quickly ordered a retreat. In his report, Castañeda wrote that he withdrew “without compromising the honor of Mexican arms.” Two Mexicans lost their lives in the skirmish, but the battle’s significance far exceeded its military impact. It marked the opening shots of the Texas Revolution, and less than six months later, the “Immortal 32” volunteers from Gonzales would answer Colonel William B. Travis’s plea for reinforcements at the Alamo, where they perished among its defenders.

Native American Alliances and Conflicts in the Texas Revolution

Although the Battle of Gonzales is often portrayed as a conflict solely between Texian settlers and the Mexican government, Native American tribes played a significant role in the broader context of the Texas Revolution. The Comanche and other tribes had long contested Anglo-American encroachment on their lands, and their raids had prompted the original request for the cannon. During the revolution, some Native groups allied with the Texians, while others sided with Mexico or pursued their own interests. For instance, the Cherokee and other tribes in East Texas had grievances against the Mexican government and initially supported the Texian cause, hoping for land titles and autonomy. However, after independence, the Republic of Texas under Sam Houston and later Mirabeau Lamar pursued aggressive policies against Native Americans, leading to expulsion and violence. This complex interplay of alliances and betrayals underscores the need to view the Texas Revolution through a Native American lens.

To understand how Native American diplomacy and treaties were often disregarded, explore the history of the Wampanoag peace treaty with the Mayflower Pilgrims, a parallel example of early colonial-native relations.

Material Culture and the Cannon’s Legacy

The Gonzales cannon itself is a modest artifact—a bronze or iron six-pounder likely of Spanish or Mexican manufacture. Its spiked touch hole rendered it largely ceremonial, yet it became a potent symbol of defiance. Today, the cannon is preserved at the Gonzales Memorial Museum in Gonzales, Texas, where visitors can view it alongside the original “Come and Take It” flag. The banner, meticulously crafted from a wedding dress, represents an early example of Texian material culture and improvisation. These artifacts serve as tangible links to a pivotal moment in North American history, reminding us that objects of war often carry layered meanings of defense, identity, and resistance.

For a broader perspective on how Indigenous artifacts and material culture are preserved and interpreted, see what wampum is and how it was used in diplomatic and cultural contexts.

Historical Context & Key Cultural Takeaways

• Native Defense Roots: The Gonzales cannon was originally provided for defense against Comanche and other Native American raids, highlighting the Indigenous presence that shaped frontier security.
• Political Shift: Santa Anna’s centralist policies and disarmament orders turned a defensive tool into a symbol of Texian resistance.
• Symbol of Defiance: The “Come and Take It” flag, made from a wedding dress, became an enduring emblem of the Texas Revolution, echoing earlier American revolutionary slogans.
• Native Alliances: Various Native American tribes navigated the conflict with their own agendas, sometimes aiding Texians, sometimes opposing them, and often suffering the consequences of post-revolution expansion.
• Preservation: The cannon and flag are preserved at the Gonzales Memorial Museum, serving as educational resources for understanding the intertwined histories of Native Americans, settlers, and Mexican authorities.

In-Depth FAQ

What was the original purpose of the Gonzales cannon?
The cannon was provided by the Mexican government in 1831 at the request of Green DeWitt to defend Gonzales against Comanche and other Native American raids.

Why was the cannon ineffective?
The cannon had been spiked, meaning a spike was driven into its touch hole, making it largely useless as a weapon; it mainly produced noise and smoke.

How did Native American tribes influence the Texas Revolution?
Tribes such as the Comanche, Cherokee, and others had complex relationships with Texian settlers and the Mexican government. Some allied with Texians hoping for land rights, while others opposed Anglo-American expansion, shaping the conflict’s dynamics.

Where is the “Come and Take It” cannon and flag today?
The cannon and a replica of the flag are displayed at the Gonzales Memorial Museum in Gonzales, Texas.

What was the significance of the “Come and Take It” flag?
The flag, reportedly made from Naomi DeWitt’s wedding dress, featured a black star, a cannon, and the defiant slogan. It became a rallying cry for Texian independence and remains a symbol of resistance.

Concluding Synthesis: Cultural Legacy and Modern Preservation

The story of the Gonzales cannon transcends a simple tale of Texian bravery. It is a narrative embedded in the larger history of Native American-European contact, colonial defense, and the struggle for sovereignty. The cannon’s journey—from a gift for protection against Indigenous raids to a symbol of rebellion against Mexican authority—illustrates how objects can acquire multiple layers of meaning. Today, the preservation of the cannon and flag at the Gonzales Memorial Museum offers an opportunity to reflect on the complex interplay of cultures that shaped Texas. As we examine these artifacts, we must also acknowledge the often-overlooked Native American perspectives and the consequences of westward expansion on Indigenous peoples. By integrating these stories, we gain a more complete and honest understanding of the past.