"Friends and Citizens of Texas," March 2, 1836

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At the same time Santa Anna's army went on the march, a parallel invasion was launched by General José de Urrea from Matamoros. Unlike Santa Anna, Urrea's army was shadowed by supply ships that would provision the troops at the nearest points along the coast. Urrea's army quickly routed Texas fighters at San Patricio and Goliad.

But even as Texans were faltering on land, the tiny Texas Navy was taking the fight to the enemy. Two ships, the Liberty and the Invincible captured war supplies meant for Mexico, including gunpowder.

The privateer Flash played perhaps the most exciting role in the climax of the Revolution. Two six-pound cannon, forged in Cincinnati by citizens who wanted to aid the Texan cause, had been delivered to Galveston in March 1836. The desperately needed armaments were loaded on board the Flash, which was ordered to proceed to the Brazos to pick up refugees from the Runaway Scrape who were fleeing Santa Anna's advancing army. The Flash did as ordered, then proceeded to Morgan's Point, where on April 11 it delivered the cannons and picked up more refugees, including three Texas cabinet officers, the family of President Burnet, and Vice-President Lorenzo de Zavala and his family. The rescue was successful, and the armaments the Flash delivered became legendary. The next week, in the Battle of San Jacinto, the "Twin Sisters" shattered the Mexican lines and significantly aided in the Texan victory.

Friends
and
Citizens of Texas

Information, of a character not to be questioned, has just
been received from Col. Fannin, which states that Santa Ana,
at the head of four thousand men, has crossed the San Antonio
river, leaving Goliad in his rear, and is moving upon our public
stores, and thence to Gonzales. The force is independent
of the army under Siezma before Bejar. A general turn out
has commenced and is going on here and westward, and as far
as known. Citizens in every part of the country, it is hoped,
will be no less ready to defend their homes, their wives, and
children.

We advise that every armed vessel which can be had should
be despatched at once, to scour the Gulf, and all points where
most likely to intercept the stores and supplies of the enemy,
and every precaution adopted for protecting our own stores.

John R. Jones
Thomas Gay
Standing Committee

San Felipe, March 2, 1836

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Color added to photostat image, reversed for clarity. "Friends and Citizens of Texas," March 2, 1836. Broadside Collection #101, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.