2. What were the effects of Father Hidalgo’s call for rebellion?

3. What was the goal of

the Gutiérrez-Magee

Expedition?

Marking the

Text

4. Highlight the sentences

that describe the result

of the fight at San Antonio

On September 16, 1810, a priest in Dolores issued a grito, or call,

for a rebellion against the Spanish. This priest, Father Miguel Hidalgo

y Costilla, cared deeply about the people of his village. He wanted

better opportunities for these people and for all Mexicans. His call

for an uprising was a cause of key events that followed.

The beginning of the

Mexican War of

Independence

The capture and

execution of Father

Hidalgo

However, the movement for independence did not end. Father

Hidalgo had many followers who continued to work for liberation,

or freedom, from Spanish rule. José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara

(goo•TYEH•rehs day LAH•rah) was one of these followers.

Gutiérrez de Lara traveled to Washington, D. C., in 1811 to ask

the United States for help. He told American leaders of his plans to

free Texas from Spanish rule and asked them for men, money, and

supplies. He was told he would find all three in Louisiana. So he

left Washington and set sail for New Orleans.

When he arrived in New Orleans, Gutiérrez de Lara began

recruiting soldiers. Soon he had convinced an American officer to

join him. Lieutenant Augustus Magee, a West Point graduate,

resigned from the U. S. Army and joined Gutiérrez de Lara’s Texas

expedition. Magee was made military commander of what was

now called the Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition. Gutiérrez was the

overall commander.

By August 1812 the Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition had gained

many followers and was now called the Republican Army of the

North. Its soldiers included Tejanos, Native Americans, and

American filibusters. The Republican Army crossed the Sabine

River into Texas and easily captured Nacogdoches. Then the army

marched to Goliad, gathering new volunteers along the way.

The Republican Army captured Goliad in early November.

However, a large Spanish force arrived and held the rebel army

under siege for three months. When Magee died suddenly,

American Samuel Kemper took command. The Spanish forces

suffered heavy losses and retreated to San Antonio. Kemper’s

forces chased the Spanish and defeated them. Spanish officials

at San Antonio surrendered the city to the Republicans. Then

the victorious leaders issued a declaration of independence for

Texas. Soon, however, problems arose within the ranks of the

Republican leaders.