Goliad
[key], city (2020 pop. 1,620), seat of Goliad co., S Tex., on the San
Antonio River, SE of San Antonio. It is a market for the surrounding farm
region. A Spanish mission and presidio moved to Goliad in 1749. After the
start of the Texas Revolution (1836), Goliad was seized by Texan forces
under Col. J. W. Fannin. When Mexican troops advanced into Texas, Fannin
evacuated Goliad with about 300 men but was overtaken. After a hopeless
battle, he surrendered on Mar. 20, 1836; a week later most of the prisoners
were shot by the Mexicans. The American settlement grew up across the river,
and the restored mission and the ruins of the old presidio are in a state
park.
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