Presidio San Antonio de Bexar
Encyclopedia
Presidio San Antonio de Béxar was a Spanish fort built near the San Antonio River
, located in what is now San Antonio, Texas
. It was designed for protection of the mission system and civil settlement in central Texas. It also served to secure Spain's claim to the region from French, English and American aggression.
(military facility) was founded on May 5, 1718 by Martín de Alarcón
, the governor of Coahuila and Texas, on the west side of the San Antonio River about a half mile from its partner Mission San Antonio de Valero. In 1722 the Marqués de Aguayo relocated the presidio almost directly across the river from the mission. The presidio in the early 1700s consisted of one adobe building, roofed with thatched grass, with the soldiers quarters being jacales (brush huts). As settlers concentrated around the presidio and mission complex, the beginnings of La Villa de Béxar (San Antonio) began to form, destined to become the hub of Spanish Texas. Being centrally located, Béxar did not suffer the needs and distresses as did the other presidios. Despite occasional Indian attacks, presidio defending walls or breastworks would never be completed or necessary, as the complementing mission itself would later become the principal unit of walled defense.
In 1726, there were 45 soldiers in the fort and 4 families lived nearby. The total population was about 200. Soldiers quarters and the Spanish Governor's Palace
was completed in 1749, to house the commanding officer of the Spanish military garrison. The location would become known as the Plaza de Armas
. In 1763, there were 22 soldiers in the presidio who were entrusted to defend all 5 nearby missions. The soldiers at times were used as escorts and for the prevention of cattle rustling and smuggling. In 1772, other forts in the area were closed; Presidio San Antonio de Béxar was left open and became the principal site of defense in Texas, with a command of 80 soldiers. Bexar would be made the capital of Texas and the captain of the presidio was to serve as governor of the region. In 1790, plans were made to renovate the fort, but the idea was never followed through.
In 1803, 100 men from the Second Flying Company of San Carlos de Parras (Álamo de Parras) were sent to reinforce the presidio, from Parras in southern Coahuila
. Under the jurisdiction of the clergy of the Villa de San Fernando de Béxar and the Bishop of Nuevo León
, they occupied the presidio Plaza de Armas (military Plaza) and the secularized mission of San Antonio de Valero.
Although stockade walls were begun in 1805 on the north side of the city, a fort would no longer be necessary. By 1806 all the troops had now moved into the former Alamo Mission, now a fort.
Also see: Alamo Mission in San Antonio
, Spanish Governor's Palace
During the Mexican
and Texan wars of independence
, the presidio garrison would actively participate in numerous military engagements.
After the siege and Battle of Bexar
and ouster of the Mexican troops from Texas in 1835, Texian
Colonel James C. Neill
would briefly command Bexar and the Alamo, which would be recaptured at the Battle of the Alamo
in 1836. In March, the Mexican garrison would be temporarily reinstated. The presidio officially ceased to exist when the Mexican Army acknowledged Texas independence and presented their formal surrender in San Antonio on June 4, 1836, to Bexar Military Chief Juan Seguin
.
San Antonio River
The San Antonio River is a major waterway that originates in central Texas in a cluster of springs in north central San Antonio, approximately four miles north of downtown, and follows a roughly southeastern path through the state. It eventually feeds into the Guadalupe River about ten miles from...
, located in what is now San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. It was designed for protection of the mission system and civil settlement in central Texas. It also served to secure Spain's claim to the region from French, English and American aggression.
Establishment
The presidioPresidio
A presidio is a fortified base established by the Spanish in North America between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. The fortresses were built to protect against pirates, hostile native Americans and enemy colonists. Other presidios were held by Spain in the sixteenth and seventeenth...
(military facility) was founded on May 5, 1718 by Martín de Alarcón
Martín de Alarcón
Martín de Alarcón was the governor of Spanish Texas from 1705 until 1708, and again from 1716 until 1719. He founded San Antonio, the first civilian settlement in Texas.-First term:...
, the governor of Coahuila and Texas, on the west side of the San Antonio River about a half mile from its partner Mission San Antonio de Valero. In 1722 the Marqués de Aguayo relocated the presidio almost directly across the river from the mission. The presidio in the early 1700s consisted of one adobe building, roofed with thatched grass, with the soldiers quarters being jacales (brush huts). As settlers concentrated around the presidio and mission complex, the beginnings of La Villa de Béxar (San Antonio) began to form, destined to become the hub of Spanish Texas. Being centrally located, Béxar did not suffer the needs and distresses as did the other presidios. Despite occasional Indian attacks, presidio defending walls or breastworks would never be completed or necessary, as the complementing mission itself would later become the principal unit of walled defense.
In 1726, there were 45 soldiers in the fort and 4 families lived nearby. The total population was about 200. Soldiers quarters and the Spanish Governor's Palace
Spanish Governor's Palace
The Spanish Governor's Palace is a National Historic Landmark in the city of San Antonio, Texas. Built in the first half of the 18th century, it was originally intended to protect the nearby San Antonio de Valero Mission and the growing colony. It is considered the sole remaining example of an...
was completed in 1749, to house the commanding officer of the Spanish military garrison. The location would become known as the Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas is the name for the main square in many Latin American cities. In Mexico this space is known as El Zócalo, and in Central America as Parque Central...
. In 1763, there were 22 soldiers in the presidio who were entrusted to defend all 5 nearby missions. The soldiers at times were used as escorts and for the prevention of cattle rustling and smuggling. In 1772, other forts in the area were closed; Presidio San Antonio de Béxar was left open and became the principal site of defense in Texas, with a command of 80 soldiers. Bexar would be made the capital of Texas and the captain of the presidio was to serve as governor of the region. In 1790, plans were made to renovate the fort, but the idea was never followed through.
In 1803, 100 men from the Second Flying Company of San Carlos de Parras (Álamo de Parras) were sent to reinforce the presidio, from Parras in southern Coahuila
Coahuila
Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico...
. Under the jurisdiction of the clergy of the Villa de San Fernando de Béxar and the Bishop of Nuevo León
Nuevo León
Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
, they occupied the presidio Plaza de Armas (military Plaza) and the secularized mission of San Antonio de Valero.
Although stockade walls were begun in 1805 on the north side of the city, a fort would no longer be necessary. By 1806 all the troops had now moved into the former Alamo Mission, now a fort.
Also see: Alamo Mission in San Antonio
Alamo Mission in San Antonio
The Alamo, originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero, is a former Roman Catholic mission and fortress compound, site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, and now a museum, in San Antonio, Texas....
, Spanish Governor's Palace
Spanish Governor's Palace
The Spanish Governor's Palace is a National Historic Landmark in the city of San Antonio, Texas. Built in the first half of the 18th century, it was originally intended to protect the nearby San Antonio de Valero Mission and the growing colony. It is considered the sole remaining example of an...
During the Mexican
Spanish Texas
Spanish Texas was one of the interior provinces of New Spain from 1690 until 1821. Although Spain claimed ownership of the territory, which comprised part of modern-day Texas, including the land north of the Medina and Nueces Rivers, the Spanish did not attempt to colonize the area until after...
and Texan wars of independence
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
, the presidio garrison would actively participate in numerous military engagements.
After the siege and Battle of Bexar
Siege of Bexar
The Siege of Béxar was an early campaign of the Texas Revolution in which a volunteer Texan army successfully defeated Mexican forces at San Antonio de Béxar . Texians had become disillusioned with the Mexican government as President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's tenure became increasingly...
and ouster of the Mexican troops from Texas in 1835, Texian
Texian
Texian is an archaic, mostly defunct 19th century demonym which defined a settler of current-day Texas, one of the southern states of the United States of America which borders the country of Mexico...
Colonel James C. Neill
James C. Neill
↔James Clinton Neill was a 19th-century American soldier and politician, most noted for his role in the Texas Revolution and the early defense of the Alamo. He was born in North Carolina.-Early life and career:...
would briefly command Bexar and the Alamo, which would be recaptured at the Battle of the Alamo
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar . All but two of the Texian defenders were killed...
in 1836. In March, the Mexican garrison would be temporarily reinstated. The presidio officially ceased to exist when the Mexican Army acknowledged Texas independence and presented their formal surrender in San Antonio on June 4, 1836, to Bexar Military Chief Juan Seguin
Juan Seguín
Juan Nepomuceno Seguín was a 19th-century Texas Senator, Mayor, Judge, and Justice of the Peace and a prominent participant in the Texas Revolution.-Early life and family:...
.