Does anyone have a confirmed route that Santa Anna took
from the interior of Mexico to the Alamo. Are there any historical markers along the route? Or any verified camp sites along the route? Thanks in advance.

Azeew said:

---

Does anyone have a confirmed route that Santa Anna took
from the interior of Mexico to the Alamo. Are there any historical markers along the route? Or any verified camp sites along the route? Thanks in advance.

---

The 1836 Mexican army routes have been an interest of mine and others. This is what I found and hope others can contribute.

Mexico to the Rio Grande River-
Most of the history on the 600 mi march starts in Mexico at San Luis Potos, on to Saltillo, Monclova, then crosses the Rio Grande River at Guerrero, Coahuila Mexico (below Eagle Pass, Tx).

From the Rio Grande to San Antonio-
The army is said to have stayed away from the main routes because of Juan Seguin's spies and traveled along the Smuggler's Trail. Other sources reference the Upper Presidio Road as the route. A variety of routes could've been possible because the army departed Mexico in different stages. One of the trailing brigades commanded by Gen. Gaona, is believed to have camped at Espantosa Lake located between Carrizo Springs and Crystal City, Tx.
https://newstaco.com/2012/03/06/what-really-happened-at-the-alamo-on-march-6-1836/

p.s.- while there, be sure and look for the wagon loads of buried Spanish gold and silver.

Frio Town, Tx - The Presidio Crossing north of Frio Town (FM 140, 15mi NW of Pearsall) served as a campsite and a low water crossing for Santa Anna's troops. The town ruins are located on private property.
http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasGhostTowns/Frio-Town-Texas.htm

There is a marker north of Devine, Tx in Medina County that denotes Santa Anna's army passing near that point enroute to San Antonio on Feb 21, 1836. (Hwy 173 & County Rd 6644).
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=193729

Here's where it gets interesting. As Santa Anna's army gets closer to San Antonio, multiple crossings and campsites are claimed by communities along the Medina River & Leon Creek.

Castroville, Tx - (at the lower crossing of the Medina). Santa Anna orders the Vanguard Brigade to patrol north and east of San Antonio and prevent reinforcements from reaching the city.
https://newstaco.com/2012/03/06/what-really-happened-at-the-alamo-on-march-6-1836/

La Coste, Tx - also lays claim to a crossing for Mexican troops.
https://www.texasalmanac.com/articles/origins-of-the-camino-real-in-texas

Von Ormy, Tx and nearby Medina River crossings.
- where the Alamo River RV Resort now resides is the Santa Anna Oak Tree. It is claimed that Santa Anna camped there for 2 days waiting for the swollen Medina River to recede.
https://weride.us/2021/03/04/alamo-river-rv-ranch-and-campground/

Von Ormy, Tx - Downhill from the RV park is the Pamposa Crossing. A crossing used by early indigenous groups. A flank of the Mexican army is said to have used this crossing.
https://sanantonioreport.org/local-historians-native-american-story-will-not-be-left-out-of-tricentennial/

Von Ormy, Tx - Garza's Crossing is another area used for a campsite and crossing (Old Somerset Rd)
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/garzas-crossing-tx

Leon Creek - Alamo physician, Dr. John Sutherland stated that a friendly Mexican had informed him that the calvary had reached the Leon, 8 mi from San Antonio.
http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/sthland1.htm

Leon Creek - "The next night, Santa Anna and his army camped at Leon Creek, 8 miles (13 km) west of what is now downtown San Antonio."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_the_Alamo#cite_ref-edmondson299_30-0

Farther east, another brigade of the Mexican army led by Gen. Jose Urrea crossed the Rio Grande north of Matamoras and marched up the Atascosita Road along the coastal area of Texas. A link to Urea's day-to day marches and camps- http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/goliadurrea.htm

The late Professor Richard G. Santos is said to have pinpointed river crossings, map coordinates and campsites in his 1967 book Santa Anna's Campaign Against Texas. Also Texas Dept of Highways published a book- A Texas Legacy: The Old San Antonio Road and The Camino Reales. A Tricentennial History, 1691-1991 that could be useful. Additional help might be found in the memoirs of the Mexican soldiers, …Enrique de La Peña, Gen. Filisola, etc.

If you can add to the route & campsites, feel free.

Thank you! That's a great start for me to learn more. Does anyone know if there's been any archaeological work done in any of the campsites?

Great topic. I've always been interested in General Antonio Gaona's March East from San Antonio after the Alamo. His Army camped at Bastrop before venturing East towards Washington on the Brazos. I have a friend who has property on the Colorado River at Bastrop and has found several cannon balls and other artifacts most likely from Gaona's Army. His route is different in every single map you'll find on the Texas Revolution. It is known he got lost, and was delayed for several days. This one attached is completely different and more detailed and I wish it was accurate as it comes very close to my property.

I remember stopping at this 'Gen.Gaona' marker several years ago on the Old Bastrop Hwy west of San Marcos. His brigade followed the El Camino Real (King's Highway) from San Antonio to Bastrop.

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=69111

Cen-Tex said:

---

I remember stopping at this 'Gen.Gaona' marker several years ago on the Old Bastrop Hwy west of San Marcos. His brigade followed the El Camino Real (King's Highway) from San Antonio to Bastrop.

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=69111

---

I have seen that historical marker myself. My question on that map I provided is.....it shows Gaona crossing Yegua Creek and circling a lake...only problem is that's Lake Somerville, finished in 1967. Why is it on the map? (And the only lake on the map when it didn't exist at the time?)

Bighunter43 said:

---

Cen-Tex said:

---

I remember stopping at this 'Gen.Gaona' marker several years ago on the Old Bastrop Hwy west of San Marcos. His brigade followed the El Camino Real (King's Highway) from San Antonio to Bastrop.

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=69111

---

I have seen that historical marker myself. My question on that map I provided is.....it shows Gaona crossing Yegua Creek and circling a lake...only problem is that's Lake Somerville, finished in 1967. Why is it on the map? (And the only lake on the map when it didn't exist at the time?)

---

I'm not aware research that can verify Gaona's route after Bastrop. The only thing I'm aware of is his brigade got lost in the pines east of Bastrop. As far as the circling of Lake Somerville, maybe the crappie were biting. Curious where you found the map.

Cen-Tex said:

---

Bighunter43 said:

---

Cen-Tex said:

---

I remember stopping at this 'Gen.Gaona' marker several years ago on the Old Bastrop Hwy west of San Marcos. His brigade followed the El Camino Real (King's Highway) from San Antonio to Bastrop.

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=69111

---

I have seen that historical marker myself. My question on that map I provided is.....it shows Gaona crossing Yegua Creek and circling a lake...only problem is that's Lake Somerville, finished in 1967. Why is it on the map? (And the only lake on the map when it didn't exist at the time?)

---

I'm not aware research that can verify Gaona's route after Bastrop. The only thing I'm aware of is his brigade got lost in the pines east of Bastrop. As far as the circling of Lake Somerville, maybe the crappie were biting. Curious where you found the map.

---

This is where I found it while researching it....I broke down laughing over the crappie comment. (I'm on Somerville all the time bass fishing!) I'm with you in I don't think his route can be pinpointed with any certainty after leaving Bastrop!

https://historicalcommission.harriscountytx.gov/sanjacinto1836/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=48

Bighunter43 said:

---

Cen-Tex said:

---

Bighunter43 said:

---

Cen-Tex said:

---

I remember stopping at this 'Gen.Gaona' marker several years ago on the Old Bastrop Hwy west of San Marcos. His brigade followed the El Camino Real (King's Highway) from San Antonio to Bastrop.

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=69111

---

I have seen that historical marker myself. My question on that map I provided is.....it shows Gaona crossing Yegua Creek and circling a lake...only problem is that's Lake Somerville, finished in 1967. Why is it on the map? (And the only lake on the map when it didn't exist at the time?)

---

I'm not aware research that can verify Gaona's route after Bastrop. The only thing I'm aware of is his brigade got lost in the pines east of Bastrop. As far as the circling of Lake Somerville, maybe the crappie were biting. Curious where you found the map.

---

This is where I found it while researching it....I broke down laughing over the crappie comment. (I'm on Somerville all the time bass fishing!) I'm with you in I don't think his route can be pinpointed with any certainty after leaving Bastrop!

https://historicalcommission.harriscountytx.gov/sanjacinto1836/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=48

---

Knowing what I know of the Yequa Creek bottoms both above and below modern Somerville Lake as they are now days he wasn't having a picnic trying to navigate those with a large body of men.

Rabid Cougar said:

---

Bighunter43 said:

---

Cen-Tex said:

---

Bighunter43 said:

---

Cen-Tex said:

---

I remember stopping at this 'Gen.Gaona' marker several years ago on the Old Bastrop Hwy west of San Marcos. His brigade followed the El Camino Real (King's Highway) from San Antonio to Bastrop.

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=69111

---

I have seen that historical marker myself. My question on that map I provided is.....it shows Gaona crossing Yegua Creek and circling a lake...only problem is that's Lake Somerville, finished in 1967. Why is it on the map? (And the only lake on the map when it didn't exist at the time?)

---

I'm not aware research that can verify Gaona's route after Bastrop. The only thing I'm aware of is his brigade got lost in the pines east of Bastrop. As far as the circling of Lake Somerville, maybe the crappie were biting. Curious where you found the map.

---

This is where I found it while researching it....I broke down laughing over the crappie comment. (I'm on Somerville all the time bass fishing!) I'm with you in I don't think his route can be pinpointed with any certainty after leaving Bastrop!

https://historicalcommission.harriscountytx.gov/sanjacinto1836/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=48

---

Knowing what I know of the Yequa Creek bottoms both above and below modern Somerville Lake as they are now days he wasn't having a picnic trying to navigate those with a large body of men.

---

No it's still quite the wilderness. Those yaupon bottoms are really thick! I've roamed them my whole life.....even 50 years ago. Plus, the spring of 1836 was super wet and that whole area tends to flood pretty bad!