Historical Marker
Andrew Ponton
Gonzales, Gonzales County · Texas
Erected 1936
The officer whose demand Ponton answered had already lost one fight with Texans. Domingo de Ugartechea, who served as a cadet at the battle of Medina in 1813, commanded the fort at Velasco in June 1832 and was defeated there after eleven hours. By 1835 he was military commandant at Bexar, short of money, supplies and men, and wrote that "Nothing is heard but God damn St. Anna. God damn Ugartechea." That summer his units grew to nearly 500 men, and his orders sent Castañeda to Gonzales for the cannon.
What the plaque says
Andrew Ponton In memory of Andrew Ponton, Alcalde Author of the historic letter written on Sept. 26, 1835, in reply to Mexico's demand for the colonists' cannon at Gonzales. One of the defenders of Gonzales, October 2, 1835.
Where it stands
29.50845, -97.45884 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Eli Mitchell — steps away
- Amasa Turner — steps away
- Charles Mason — steps away
- Augustus H. Jones — steps away