Fannin, James (1804-1836), was an important military leader in Texas’s struggle for independence from Mexico in the 1830’s. Fannin was one of hundreds of Texas prisoners shot to death at Goliad, in southeastern Texas, in March 1836.
James Walker Fannin, Jr., was probably born in Morgan County, in the north-central area of the state of Georgia in the southeastern United States, on Jan. 1, 1804. His father was Isham Fannin, a plantation owner. James’s parents were unmarried, and he was adopted by his maternal grandfather, James W. Walker. In 1819, Fannin—using the name James F. Walker—enrolled at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He withdrew from the school in 1821. Fannin then returned to Georgia. Fannin and his wife, Minerva Fort, had two daughters.
Fannin and his family moved to Velasco, Texas, in 1834. Fannin owned a plantation near there and ran a slave-trading business. During the summer of 1835, Fannin developed a strong interest in the Texas independence movement. He wrote letters seeking volunteers and funds for the Texas cause. He also became an officer in the Texas volunteer army. Fannin fought against Mexican troops in the battles of Gonzales and Concepción in October 1835. In December, Fannin was named a colonel in Texas’s regular army.
Fannin became the commander of volunteer troops at the fort at Goliad in February 1836. In mid-March, after Mexican troops defeated the Texans at the Alamo in San Antonio, Fannin received orders from Texas General Sam Houston to abandon Goliad. Fannin, however, was delayed and did not withdraw from Goliad until March 19. Mexican soldiers caught up with Fannin’s army near Coleto Creek, east of Goliad, and forced its surrender on March 20. Fannin and dozens of others were wounded defending their position at Coleto Creek.
Fannin and about 300 Texas prisoners were marched back to Goliad. They were soon joined by about 80 other captured soldiers who had been fighting for Texas. On March 27, 1836, Mexican troops marched more than 300 prisoners outside of the fort and shot them. Fannin and the other wounded prisoners were shot in the courtyard of the fort on the same day.
Fannin had received criticism for some of his decisions as an officer. However, after his death, he was celebrated for his courage and support for Texas independence. Counties in northeastern Texas and northern Georgia were named for him.
