TEXAS HISTORY MINUTE
James Walker Fannin, Jr., had arrived in Texas only in 1834. The 30-year-old planter brought his wife and two daughters with him. A fight with Mexico was brewing, and Fannin jumped in with both feet. In the first battle of the Texas Revolution in October 1835, Fannin led his Brazos Guards from Velasco against Mexican forces at the Battle of Gonzales. In spite of this initial success, the fortunes of Texas in battle would soon change dramatically. The tides of war and fortune would cost Fannin everything.