The Woll Invasion
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Mexico's last invasion of the republic of Texas Alarmed San Antonio on Sept. 11, 1842, when Gen. Adrian Woll and 1300 troops struck the city from the west. Awakened by booming cannon, 56 Texians (including judge, jurors, and citizens in town to attend court) bravely attempted to defend the city. They fortified the stone home of Samuel A. Maverick at northeast corner of Main Plaza, and poured out gunfire as Woll entered with flags flying and band playing. Forced to surrender to overwhelming numbers, 52 Texians--including Maverick, Judge Anderson Hutchinson, and Clerk James L.Trueheart--were marched 1100 mile to Perote Prison in Mexico. Although Mayor John W. Smith and county clerk Thomas Addicks escaped, San Antonio had no city or county government and very little economic activity in the ensuing 23 months. On his way to capture the capitol of the republic in Austin, Woll was defeated at the Salado by Mathew Caldwell's volunteers on Sept. 17, 1842. On March 24, 1844, the last surviving prisoners of Woll's invasion were freed from Perote Castle. They made their way on foot to Vera Cruz, and were taken by a United States man-of-war to New Orleans. From there they finally traveled safely home.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In September 1842, the young Republic of Texas was still an unsettled thing, and Mexico had not conceded its independence. When General Adrián Woll marched 1,300 troops into San Antonio at dawn, just 56 Texians—judge, jurors, and townsfolk among them—fortified Samuel Maverick's stone house and fought before the odds forced their surrender. Fifty-two prisoners were marched more than a thousand miles to Perote Prison in Mexico; Woll himself was checked days later at the Salado, and the last captives did not walk free until 1844.
Why it matters
The Woll invasion was Mexico's final thrust into an independent Texas and a stark reminder of how fragile and contested the Republic's sovereignty remained on the road to statehood.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Spanish Governor's Palace0.1 mi away
- Centro de Artes0.3 mi away
- Buckhorn Saloon and Museum0.3 mi away
- Briscoe Western Art Museum0.3 mi away · 210 West Market Street
- Artpace0.3 mi away · 445 North Main Avenue, San Antonio, TX
- Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks0.4 mi away
Attractions
- River boat boarding0.2 mi away
- Casa Navarro State Historical Site0.2 mi away
- La Villita0.4 mi away
- River boat boarding0.4 mi away
- Sea Life Aquarium0.5 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- Yanaguana Garden0.6 mi away
Food & drink
- Paesanos Riverwalk0.3 mi away · 111 Crockett Way, San Antonio, TX
- Landry's Seafood House0.3 mi away · 517 North Presa Street, San Antonio, TX
- Texas de Brazil0.3 mi away · 313 East Houston Street, San Antonio
- Saltgrass Steak House0.3 mi away
- Mad Dogs British Pub0.3 mi away · 123 Losoya Street
- The Local Bar0.3 mi away
Places to stay
- Holiday Inn Riverwalk0.1 mi away · 217 North Saint Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX
- Mokara Hotel and Spa0.2 mi away · 212 West Crockett Street, San Antonio, TX
- The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio0.2 mi away · 420 West Market Street, San Antonio
- Omni La Mansión del Rio0.2 mi away · 112 College Street, San Antonio
- Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio0.2 mi away · 205 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
- Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio Downtown - Riverwalk, TX0.3 mi away · 603 Navarro Street, San Antonio, TX
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Related people
- · Adrián Woll
- · Samuel A. Maverick
- · Anderson Hutchinson
- · Mathew Caldwell
Related events
- · Woll's invasion of San Antonio (1842)
- · Battle of Salado Creek
Themes & tags
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