The Battle of Gonzales:
Quote:
There was an unusually thick fog that morning, almost eerie according to some observers. About 4 am, the Texans formed for action. Mexican soldiers fired on the Texans, and one man was wounded when his horse threw him. The Texans fired a volley and one Mexican trooper was wounded. The Mexicans retreated to wait until the fog lifted.... When the fog lifted about daylight, the Texans moved into an open field and began firing on the Mexican position. The Mexican troops fired a volley and the Texans fell back to the wooded riverbank where they could not be seen. ...During a meeting in the field between the two opposing forces, (Col. John Henry) Moore suggested that (Lieutenant Francisco de) Castaeda, sent to seize the cannon, either surrender and join the Texans in support of the Constitution of 1824, or prepare to fight. Moore pointed to the cannon and told Castaeda that the little cannon was on the field, so he should just try to "Come and Take It". The flag* stating the Texans' sentiment was flying defiantly over the cannon. Moore then wheeled around. He shouted "Fire"and a shot was fired from the cannon. The Mexican troops immediately wheeled around and withdrew to San Antonio.