H.R. No. 2244
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Serving as an important prelude to the Texas
Revolution, the Battle of Velasco was fought from June 25 through
27, 1832, and the site of the engagement is being commemorated with
the dedication of a memorial monument on June 27, 2023; and
WHEREAS, The conflict was perhaps the first incidence of
bloodshed as resistance to Mexican rule intensified in Texas in the
1830s; the battle took place when a group of Texans under the
command of Henry Smith and John Austin traveled to Brazoria to
secure a cannon to use against Mexican forces who had imprisoned
William Travis and others at Anahuac; when they tried to transport
the cannon down the Brazos River, they were opposed by a garrison of
Mexican soldiers led by Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea, commander of
Fort Velasco; and
WHEREAS, An estimated seven Texans and five Mexicans lost
their lives in the fighting, with dozens more wounded on both sides;
ultimately, the Texans forced Colonel Ugartechea to surrender on
June 29, after his troops exhausted their ammunition; and
WHEREAS, While records indicate that veterans of the Battle
of Velasco developed plans to erect a memorial for their fallen
comrades, no evidence for the existence of such a monument has ever
been found; recent imaging of the area has helped identify the exact
location of Fort Velasco, and renewed interest in the battle led to
a collaboration between the Old Fort Velasco Historical
Association, the Old Velasco/Surfside Beach Historical Committee,
the Village of Surfside Beach, Bryson Memorials, and area citizens;
working together, they have succeeded in their mission to establish
a long-overdue tribute to those who served and died in the battle;
and
WHEREAS, Today, 191 years after the Battle of Velasco, the
unveiling of the monument provides an opportunity to reflect on a
pivotal moment in Texas history and on the courageous actions of
those who took up arms to further the cause of Texas independence;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of the Battle of
Velasco Memorial Monument and extend sincere appreciation to all
those who helped bring this project to fruition.
Vasut
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2244 was adopted by the House on May
29, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House