The obvious intent of the design of the Bloody Arm Flag was to intimidate Mexico in the most graphic way possible to show the ‘Texians’ would stop at nothing in the cause of Texas Independence. It was hoisted above the town of Goliad. The white flag showed an arm holding a bloody saber designed and located directly in the center of the flag.

It is claimed that the ‘first’ Declaration of Texas  Independence was signed December 20, 1835 by ninety two citizens at the altar of the La Bahia presidio chapel in Goliad. However, it is less known than the official convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos where the Declaration of Texas Independence was signed February 28, 1836. In the end, they both meant the same; Texas would fight for their freedom.

La Bahia was to become the origin of the second battle cry of the revolution. “Remember the Alamo….Remember Goliad.” This was because during 1836 Texas campaign, Colonel James Walker Fannin’s force surrendered in defeat at the Battle of Coleto Creek. From there they were marched to the presidio where they were imprisoned for a week. On Palm Sunday, March 27, Col. Fannin and his 341 men were marched outside the walls and were shot to death in merciless cross fire by the Mexican Army.

After the smoke from many guns settled, each Texan that showed any sign of life were bayoneted. In spite of the treachery of cold blooded murder of prisoners only twenty eight of the prisoners were saved from execution. Included in these were three doctors, a young teenaged lad and others. Had it not been for the heroism of a beautiful young Mexican lady, the wife of Captain Alvarez who was ordered by General Santa Anna to execute all that picked up arms against Mexico just as happened in the Alamo, all 341 would have no doubt, been killed. Her name was Panchita Alverez, the Angel of Goliad.

Much has been written of this brave legendary heroin. After the decisive Battle of San Jacinto she followed her husband as he and his troops retreated to Matamoros. He later abandoned the Angel of Goliad and the two children while in Mexico City. She returned to Matamoros penniless and turned to some Texians who knew of her kindness and protected her. From there she quietly faded from the history books. Her final days were spent in the employment of the King Ranch where she lies buried in an unmarked grave.

There are many stories of this Mexican woman’s brave challenge that could, on many occasions, have earned her the consequences of those she could not save. Among the twenty some odd that were saved one was Reuben Brown, a Georgian, who became, in later years, a colonel in the Confederate Army and a wealthy planter at Brazoria. He wrote: “General Urrea (commanding the Mexican forces there) said that I would have to be executed according to Santa Anna’s orders. I was taken out to be shot, but was spared through the intervention of a priest, and a Mexican lady named Alverez. I was then marched with the other prisoners to Matamoros.’’

Many important folks in the Goliad area wanted to have a county named for the Angel of Goliad. However, there was much confusion about her name. Was Panchita a nick name? Or was it Maria Agustina de Pozo Alverez native of Toluca.

What ever her name might have been, there is no doubt her visionary bravery shall forever be remembered for the souls she saved and the prisoners she cared for. Indeed, she shall be called the Angel of Goliad.

-Bob Jamison lives in Dayton, Texas near the Trinity River where one of the scenes of the Runaway Scrape occurred. From those accounts it is told the guns of San Jacinto could be heard there. jbobalong@yahoo.com