Carlos de la Garza
Carlos de la Garza | |
---|---|
Born | November 04, 1807 |
Occupation | Rancher |
Captain Carlos de la Garza (1807–1882), also known as "Don Carlos," was a fourth generation Tejano rancher and entrepreneur in Goliad, Victoria and Refugio counties of Texas. His participation in the Mexican Army leading to the Battle of Coleto was instrumental in the surrender and demise of Colonel James Fannin and the Texian forces.
Early life
Carlos was both a
Texas Revolution
La Bahía translates as "the bay".
Along the Gulf Coast in what are now the counties of Goliad, Refugio, San Patricio and Victoria, Tejano involvement in events of the Texas revolution were partially influenced by the empresario colonization contracts. Over the objections of Mexican rancheros (ranch owners) in the area without legal titles, Irish immigrants James Power and James Hewetson were granted an empresario colonization contract in 1828 (amended in 1831) to settle four hundred Irish families on secularized land once belonging to Nuestra Señora del Refugio Mission and Mission La Bahía.[6] When Power and Hewetson failed to settle the required number of families, local rancheros were issued titles as colonists of Power and Hewetson. Garza was able to secure title to a league of his own land only as a colonist of these empresarios.[7]
Tejano-Mexican residents of the area were troubled by land speculation of the empresarios, feeling threatened by the influx of the Anglo settlers taking over lands held by their families, many for several generations. With many friends among the settlers, De La Garza opposed revolution on the grounds that it would strain relations between neighbors.[8] Presidio commander James Fannin targeted Carlos Rancho under the suspicion of harboring Mexican spies. Private homes were likewise looted under orders from Fannin.[9] During the events of the Battle of Goliad, rancheros such as Garza offered fleeing Goliad residents food and shelter on their lands.[10]
Many ranchers and citizens in the area wanted retaliation. They subsequently organized the Victoriana Guardes as a coalition of Tejanos and Karankawa Indians, employing the fighting skills of Spanish
Later life and death
Like many Tejanos, in spite Santa Ana's oppressive rule over Texas, de la Garza believed Texas should remain part of Mexico. However after the
Garza died at the age of 75 on December 30, 1882, apparently from an old arrow wound received in a Karankawa Indian fight, possibly in 1852 at Hynes Bay. The arrow wound crippled him for the remainder of his life. Captain Carlos de la Garza is buried at Carlos Rancho; Tomasita, his wife of 53 years, was later buried next to him.[15] A portion of the old homestead is still owned by descendants.
Notes
- ^ Crimm 2004, p. 101.
- ^ del la Teja (2010), pp. 195–196 "Don Carlos de La Garza Loyalist Leader" (Alonzo Salazar)
- ^ Roell, Craig H. "La Bahía". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
- ^ Walter (2007), p. 12
- ^ del la Teja (2010), pp. 194–195 "Don Carlos de La Garza Loyalist Leader" (Alonzo Salazar)
- ^ "Power and Hewtson Company". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ^ a b Poyo (1996), pp. 113–116, "Finding Their Way" (Ana Carolina Carrillo Crimm).
- ^ del la Teja (2010), p. 198 "Don Carlos de La Garza Loyalist Leader" (Alonzo Salazar)
- ^ a b del la Teja (2010), p. 199 "Don Carlos de La Garza Loyalist Leader" (Alonzo Salazar)
- ^ Crimm 2004, p. 100.
- ^ Huson, Hobart. "Carlos de la Garza". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ^ Tucker (2012), p. 262
- ^ del la Teja (2010), p. 202 "Don Carlos de La Garza Loyalist Leader" (Alonzo Salazar)
- ^ Crimm 2004, p. 196.
- ^ del la Teja (2010), p. 205 "Don Carlos de La Garza Loyalist Leader" (Alonzo Salazar)
References
- Crimm, Ana Carolina Castillo (2004). De León, a Tejano Family History. University of Texas Press. Project MUSE.
- del la Teja, Jesus (2010). Tejano Leadership in Mexican and Revolutionary Texas. College Station, TX: ISBN 978-1-60344-152-0. Archived from the originalon 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
- Poyo, Gerald Eugene (1996). Tejano Journey, 1770–1850. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-76570-2.
- Tucker, Spencer C. (2012). The Encyclopedia of the Mexican-American War [3 volumes]: A Political, Social, and Military History. Santa Barbara, CA: ISBN 978-1-85109-853-8.
- Walter, Tamra Lynn (2007). Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga: A Frontier Mission in South Texas. College Station, TX: University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-71478-6. Archived from the originalon 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-12-02.