Francisco de Castañeda, also spelled Castonado, was a lieutenant in the Mexican army stationed in

San Antonio ("Cradle of Freedom") , image_map = , mapsize = 220px , map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = United States , subdivision_type1= State , subdivision_name1 = Texas , subdivision_t ...

, in the 1830s. He was the commander of the troops involved in the first battle of the Texas Revolution.

Career in Texas

Castañeda was primarily charged with keeping the peace in central Texas. Chasing Indians, cattle rustlers and escorting officials were the main duties during this period. The soldiers were part of the

Presidio San Antonio de Bexar A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were ce ...

, who were housed in the

Alamo The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna reclaimed the Alamo Mission near San An ...

fort in late 1835. The Castañeda family had lived at the Alamo Mission in a remodeled Indian dwelling on the ntechea, to retrieve the cannon formerly given to the citizens of

Gonzales Gonzales may refer to: Places * Gonzales, California, U.S. * Gonzales, Louisiana, U.S. * Gonzales, Texas, U.S. * Gonzales County, Texas Other uses * Battle of Gonzales, 1835 * Gonzales (horse) (1977 – after 1996), an American-bred Thoroughbred r ...

in 1831 for Indian defense. What should have been a routine mission for Castañeda and his men turned into the point of no return for the Texan participants.Hardin (1994), pg. 8 Castañeda would end up being the commander of the Mexican troops involved in the

Battle of Gonzales The Battle of Gonzales was the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. It was fought near Gonzales, Texas, on October 2, 1835, between rebellious Texian settlers and a detachment of Mexican army soldiers. In 1831, Mexican authorit ...

, when the citizens of Gonzales refused to return the cannon. Although a skirmish occurred, talks were made between the two sides. Texas Colonel John Moore even made an offer to Castañeda to join with the Texan side and he would retain his rank and pay, but he refused saying he must follow orders and withdrew his men to San Antonio.Brands (2005), p. 262. The Mexican civil war in Texas was now well under way. In October 1835, he was a participant in the

battle of Concepción The Battle of Concepción was fought on October 28, 1835, between Centralist Republic of Mexico, Mexican troops under Colonel Domingo Ugartechea and Texian insurgents led by James Bowie and James Fannin. The 30-minute engagement, which hist ...

Lindley (2003), p. 252. and in December at the Siege of Bexar, in

. At the end of the Texas Revolution, an ironic event occurred.

Juan Seguin ''Juan'' is a given name, the Spanish and Manx versions of '' John''. It is very common in Spain and in other Spanish-speaking communities around the world and in the Philippines, and also (pronounced differently) in the Isle of Man. In Spanish, ...

would accept the official Mexican surrender from Francisco de Castañeda and his men, at the Alamo, on June 4, 1836.Todish (1998), p. 109. Castañeda then joined the retreat to Mexico, where he remained a member of the Mexican Army.

Later years

When Mexico tried to retake Texas in 1842. Castañeda returned to San Antonio, as a Captain, under General

Adrian Woll Adrian is a form of the Latin given name Adrianus or Hadrianus. Its ultimate origin is most likely via the former river Adria from the Venetic and Illyrian word ''adur'', meaning "sea" or "water". The Adria was until the 8th century BC the ...

. Woll reported that Castañeda received a grave wound in the Battle of Salado Creek.http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/woll.htm Also see:

Timeline of the Texas Revolution This is a timeline of the Texas Revolution, spanning the time from the earliest independence movements of the area of Texas, over the declaration of independence from Spain, up to the secession of the Republic of Texas from Mexico. The first sh ...

and the

References

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Castaneda, Francisco Year of death missing Year of birth missing Mexican soldiers People of Mexican side in the Texas Revolution