The Grass Fight was a skirmish during the Texas Revolution that took place on November 27, 1835, near San Antonio de Béxar. Texian forces attacked a Mexican mule train, believing it carried silver to pay Mexican soldiers. Instead, the wagons were loaded with grass to feed the horses of the Mexican garrison.
Background
By the fall of 1835, Texian volunteers had laid siege to San Antonio de Béxar, where Mexican General Martín Perfecto de Cos commanded a garrison of around 1,200 soldiers. The Texians, under Edward Burleson, lacked supplies and reliable intelligence. Rumors spread that a Mexican pack train was bringing silver from Laredo to pay Cos’s troops. The Texians decided to intercept it.
Scout Erasmus “Deaf” Smith first spotted the mule train. Believing it carried money, Burleson ordered an attack. A group of Texian fighters, including detachments led by James Bowie and others, rode out to meet the convoy.
The Skirmish
The Texians intercepted the mule train about four miles from San Antonio. A Mexican escort, numbering between 50 and 100 soldiers, tried to defend the supplies. The Texians, numbering roughly 100–125 men, engaged in a short but sharp skirmish.
The fighting ended with the Texians capturing the train. When they opened the packs, however, they discovered not silver, but freshly cut grass meant for feeding the Mexican army’s cavalry horses.
Significance
Although the find was disappointing, the skirmish had symbolic importance:
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It revealed how unreliable intelligence and rumors were during the Texian siege.
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The capture still counted as a small Texian victory, since they seized the train and forced the Mexican escort to retreat.
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The event boosted Texian morale at a time when frustration and desertions were beginning to spread in their camp.
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The Grass Fight became a precursor to the Siege of Béxar, which culminated in early December with the Texians capturing San Antonio and forcing Cos to surrender.
Commanders and Leaders
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Texians: Edward Burleson (commander-in-chief), James Bowie (field leader), Erasmus “Deaf” Smith (scout).
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Mexicans: Local detachments of soldiers under the overall authority of General Martín Perfecto de Cos.
Strength
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Texians: About 100–125 men.
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Mexicans: Around 50–100 soldiers escorting the train.
Casualties
Casualties were relatively light on both sides. Exact numbers are unclear, but contemporary reports indicate only a few men were killed or wounded in the skirmish.
Outcome
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Result: Texian victory. The mule train was captured, though its cargo proved to be grass, not silver.
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Strategic Value: Minimal in material terms, but it gave Texians a morale boost during the long and uncertain siege of Béxar.
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