Manuel Fernández Castrillón
Encyclopedia
Manuel Fernández Castrillón (1780s – April 21, 1836) was a major general
in the Mexican
army of the 19th century. He was a close friend of General and Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna
.
. Although he was originally came a member of a Spanish force attempting to subdue the Mexican rebels during the Mexican War of Independence
, Castrillón soon switched sides and served with the Mexican independence forces. He first met Santa Anna in 1822 while fighting near Veracruz. He served as the general's agent in a campaign against a combined force of loyalist and Spanish soldiers and during the Mexican War of Independence
(1810–1821).
, Fernández Castrillón served as Santa Anna's aide-de-camp
. He joined Santa Anna on the 1836 invasion of Texas, which first journeyed to San Antonio de Bexar, and besieged the small Texan force garrisoned at the Alamo
. Castrillón often argued against Santa Anna's decision to immediately assault the Alamo, advocating instead that the Mexican army wait for the arrival of the heavier cannon that would reduce the Alamo walls to rubble. On March 6, 1836, during the final assault of the Alamo, Castrillón took command of the Toluca Battalion after Colonel Francisco Duque was wounded. This column attacked the north wall of the Alamo. According to the diary of José Enrique de la Peña
, after the Mexican victory at the Battle of the Alamo
, Castrillón brought before Santa Anna six or seven Texian
s who he had taken prisoner during the final Alamo assault. Historian Edmondson speculates that these men may have been sick and unable to participate in the fighting. Castrillón petitioned that their lives be spared. Santa Anna had stated that no prisoners would be taken and ordered the Texians executed on the spot. Weeks later, during the Goliad Massacre
, Fernández Castrillón also protested – in vain – the execution of nearly 400 Texian prisoners, including their leader, James Fannin
.
After the Battle of the Alamo, the Mexican army moved east into the more settled areas of Texas. Castrillón saw no further fighting until April 21, 1836, when Texas General Sam Houston
launched a surprise attack on Mexican forces at the Battle of San Jacinto
. However, Santa Anna's army had no viable avenues of maneuver or retreat because of a swampy terrain to their rear and sides. It was in this brief battle that, in all the confusion, Fernández Castrillón bravely took a stand while commanding the "Golden Standard" cannon and tried to rally his troops amidst a hail of Texan gunfire. He was unsuccessful. Texian General and Secretary of War Thomas J. Rusk tried to spare the life of this proud and distinguished general. He pleaded with his men to not shoot him, but Fernández Castrillón was nevertheless shot and he died on the battlefield. Several days after the battle, Lorenzo de Zavala
, an old friend, recovered Fernández Castrillón's body and had it buried on his nearby estate.
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
in the Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
army of the 19th century. He was a close friend of General and Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón , often known as Santa Anna or López de Santa Anna, known as "the Napoleon of the West," was a Mexican political leader, general, and president who greatly influenced early Mexican and Spanish politics and government...
.
Early life
Manuel Fernández Castrillón was born in CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. Although he was originally came a member of a Spanish force attempting to subdue the Mexican rebels during the Mexican War of Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
, Castrillón soon switched sides and served with the Mexican independence forces. He first met Santa Anna in 1822 while fighting near Veracruz. He served as the general's agent in a campaign against a combined force of loyalist and Spanish soldiers and during the Mexican War of Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
(1810–1821).
Texas Revolution
During the Texas RevolutionTexas 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...
, Fernández Castrillón served as Santa Anna's aide-de-camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
. He joined Santa Anna on the 1836 invasion of Texas, which first journeyed to San Antonio de Bexar, and besieged the small Texan force garrisoned at the Alamo
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....
. Castrillón often argued against Santa Anna's decision to immediately assault the Alamo, advocating instead that the Mexican army wait for the arrival of the heavier cannon that would reduce the Alamo walls to rubble. On March 6, 1836, during the final assault of the Alamo, Castrillón took command of the Toluca Battalion after Colonel Francisco Duque was wounded. This column attacked the north wall of the Alamo. According to the diary of José Enrique de la Peña
José Enrique de la Peña
Jose Enrique de la Peña was a colonel in the Mexican Army. Under General Antonio López de Santa Anna, de la Peña participated in the Battle of the Alamo.In 1955, a book of his memoirs of the battle was published...
, after the Mexican victory 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...
, Castrillón brought before Santa Anna six or seven 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...
s who he had taken prisoner during the final Alamo assault. Historian Edmondson speculates that these men may have been sick and unable to participate in the fighting. Castrillón petitioned that their lives be spared. Santa Anna had stated that no prisoners would be taken and ordered the Texians executed on the spot. Weeks later, during the Goliad Massacre
Goliad massacre
The Goliad Massacre was an execution of Republic of Texas soldiers and their commander, James Fannin, by Mexico, reluctantly carried out by General Jose de Urrea.-Background:...
, Fernández Castrillón also protested – in vain – the execution of nearly 400 Texian prisoners, including their leader, James Fannin
James Fannin
James Walker Fannin, Jr. was a 19th-century U.S. military figure on the Texas Army and leader during the Texas Revolution of 1835–36...
.
After the Battle of the Alamo, the Mexican army moved east into the more settled areas of Texas. Castrillón saw no further fighting until April 21, 1836, when Texas General Sam Houston
Sam Houston
Samuel Houston, known as Sam Houston , was a 19th-century American statesman, politician, and soldier. He was born in Timber Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, of Scots-Irish descent. Houston became a key figure in the history of Texas and was elected as the first and third President of...
launched a surprise attack on Mexican forces at the Battle of San Jacinto
Battle of San Jacinto
The Battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21, 1836, in present-day Harris County, Texas, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the Texian Army engaged and defeated General Antonio López de Santa Anna's Mexican forces in a fight that lasted just eighteen...
. However, Santa Anna's army had no viable avenues of maneuver or retreat because of a swampy terrain to their rear and sides. It was in this brief battle that, in all the confusion, Fernández Castrillón bravely took a stand while commanding the "Golden Standard" cannon and tried to rally his troops amidst a hail of Texan gunfire. He was unsuccessful. Texian General and Secretary of War Thomas J. Rusk tried to spare the life of this proud and distinguished general. He pleaded with his men to not shoot him, but Fernández Castrillón was nevertheless shot and he died on the battlefield. Several days after the battle, Lorenzo de Zavala
Lorenzo de Zavala
Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala y Saenz was a 19th-century Mexican politician. He served as finance minister under President Vicente Guerrero. A colonizer and statesman, he was also the interim Vice President of the Republic of Texas, serving under interim President David G...
, an old friend, recovered Fernández Castrillón's body and had it buried on his nearby estate.
Further reading
- Hardin, Stephen L.; Texian Iliad-A Military History of the Texas Revolution; University of Texas Press; ISBN 0-292-730-86-1
- Roberts, R. & Olson, James S.; A Line in the Sand-The Alamo in Blood and Memory; Simon & Schuster; ISBN 0-7432-1233-9