The Grass Fight
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Near this site on Nov. 26, 1835, occurred The Grass Fight, one of the least decisive but certainly most unusual battles of the Texas War for Independence. For more than a month, the Texan forces, composed of both Anglo- and Mexican-Texans, had camped near San Antonio de Bexar waiting for an opportunity to engage the army of the Centralist regime stationed in the city. Erastus "Deaf" Smith, a Texas scout, learned that a Mexican pack train carrying silver to pay the garrison would arrive in Bexar. On Nov. 26 Smith sighted an approaching caravan and alerted the Texas camp. Col. James Bowie led about 100 volunteers, while others followed Col. Edward Burleson. Near the junction of Alazan, Apache and San Pedro Creeks, the Texans overtook the pack train. Soldiers from the garrison in Bexar rode to aid their comrades, but the Texans forced them to retreat and captured the pack animals. About 50 Mexican Soldiers were killed in the clash; two Texans were wounded. In the packs the Texans found not silver but hay that Mexican troops had foraged for their livestock. Two weeks later, supported by a contingent under Juan N. Seguin, Ben Milam led Texan volunteers in the storming of Bexar, expelling the Centralist army and setting the stage for the Siege of the Alamo, Feb. 23 - March 6, 1836. (1982)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In the autumn of 1835, as the Texas Revolution opened, Texan volunteers—Anglo and Tejano alike—besieged the Centralist garrison at San Antonio de Bexar. On November 26, scout Erastus "Deaf" Smith spotted an approaching Mexican pack train rumored to carry silver payroll, and a sharp skirmish erupted near the creek junctions west of town. When the captured animals were unloaded, the packs held not treasure but fodder grass, giving the clash its wry name and setting the stage for the storming of Bexar weeks later.
Why it matters
The Grass Fight was a small but morale-boosting Texan victory that helped drive the Centralist army from San Antonio, clearing the path toward the Alamo and Texas independence.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Centro de Artes0.9 mi away
- Spanish Governor's Palace1.1 mi away
- Artpace1.3 mi away · 445 North Main Avenue, San Antonio, TX
- Steves Homestead Museum1.3 mi away
- Villa Finale1.3 mi away
- ArmonArt1.4 mi away
Attractions
- Casa Navarro State Historical Site1.0 mi away
- River boat boarding1.4 mi away
- La Villita1.5 mi away
- River boat boarding1.6 mi away
- Terror Mansion1.6 mi away
- Yanaguana Garden1.6 mi away
Food & drink
- Paesanos Riverwalk1.5 mi away · 111 Crockett Way, San Antonio, TX
- Texas de Brazil1.5 mi away · 313 East Houston Street, San Antonio
- Landry's Seafood House1.5 mi away · 517 North Presa Street, San Antonio, TX
- Saltgrass Steak House1.5 mi away
- The Original Mexican Restaurant1.5 mi away
- Mad Dogs British Pub1.5 mi away · 123 Losoya Street
Places to stay
- Holiday Inn Riverwalk1.4 mi away · 217 North Saint Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX
- The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio1.4 mi away · 420 West Market Street, San Antonio
- Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio1.4 mi away · 205 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
- Mokara Hotel and Spa1.4 mi away · 212 West Crockett Street, San Antonio, TX
- Omni La Mansión del Rio1.4 mi away · 112 College Street, San Antonio
- Hotel Contessa1.5 mi away · 306 West Market Street
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Related people
- · Erastus "Deaf" Smith
- · James Bowie
- · Edward Burleson
- · Ben Milam
- · Juan N. Seguin
Related events
- · Texas Revolution
- · Siege of Bexar
- · Siege of the Alamo
Themes & tags
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