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James Walker Fannin, Jr. ( January 1 , 1805 – March 27 , 1836 ) was a 19th Century U.S. military figure and Texas leader during the Texas Revolution of (1835–36). EARLY LIFE Fannin's grandfather, James W. Fanning, dropped the 'g' from his last name to disassociate himself from his "Tory" brother during the US Revoltionary War. His grandfather died in (1803). Fannin's father, Isham, died on 26 April 1817. He had two children, Jamie and Eliza. Both girls. Fannin was born in Twiggs County, Georgia . MILITARY CAREER Fannin joined the United States Military Academy at West Point on July 1, 1819. He resigned from West Point due to poor grades, absences and tardies. PRIVATE CITIZEN In 1828 he moved to Columbus, Ga. to become a merchant. He married Minerva Fort on 17 July 1829 and they had two daughters, Jamie Fannin (b.1830) and Eliza (b.1832). In (1832) Fannin also begins dealing in the illegal importation of slaves to the US. He also serves as a representative to the state convention in (1833) from Troup Co.,Ga. TEXAS: 1834-35 In 1834 , Fannin settled at Velasco in the Mexican state of Coahuila Y Tejas (now Texas ), where he apparently was a Plantation owner. By 1835 , Fannin was becoming part of the growing resistance to the Mexican Government In Texas . He wrote letters seeking financial assistance and volunteers to help the Texas cause. In April (1835) Fannin traveled to New Orleans where he was arrested for an outstanding debt he owed to Theopholus Hyde. Fannin posted bail and went back to Texas. By September, Fannin was an active volunteer in the Texas Army. He participated in the Battle Of Gonzales on October 2 and urged Stephen F. Austin to send aid to Gonzales. Fannin later worked with James Bowie ,First Battalion, First Division, under Austin's orders to secure supplies and determine the conditions in and around Gonzales and San Antonio De Bexar . Fannin, together with Bowie also participated in the Battle Of Concepción on 28 October 1835. TEXAS: 1835-36 In November 1835 Austin ordered Fannin and William B. Travis and about (150) men to cut off any Mexican supply party. On 13 Nov Houston offered Fannin the post of inspector general to the regular army. Fannin writes back requesting a field appointment of brigadier general and a ''"post of danger".'' On 22 Novemeber 1835 Fannin was honorably discharged from the volunteer army by Austin and began campaigning for a larger regular army for Texas. He also went home to spend time with his family. Sam Houston , supported by Gov. Smith, commissioned Fannin as a colonel in the regular army on 7 Dec. 1835. By 7 January 1836, the provisional government had appointed Fannin 'military agent' that answered only to the council and not Houston. He began recruiting forces and supplies for the forthcoming and confusing campaign against Matamoros, Mex.. However, Fannin had difficulty leading the volunteer in his charge. He tried to institute regular army discipline, but his Irregular volunteers would not accept it. Many of his men felt he was aloof and several historians believe that he was an ineffective commander because of it. The majority of the men serving under Fannin had only been in Texas a short time and this frustrated Fannin who wrote acting Lt. Governor James W. Robinson ''"..among the rise of 400 men at, and near this post, I doubt if 25 citizens of Texas can be mustered in the ranks...".''
BATTLE OF COLETO CREEK On 19 March,about 9:30A, Fannin began his slow retreat from Fort Defiance and destroyed everything he did not take with him. Fannin did take nine cannon and over 500 spare muskets and was heavily ladened with supplies and baggage. The column traveled about six miles when Fannin ordered a halt to rest his animals. At about 3:00P Mexican cavalry appeared near Fannin's troops. The Texans immediately formed a hollow square with their wagons and cannon were placed in each corner for defense as Gen. Urrea's forces attacked. After a fierce battle that cost the Mexicans about 100-200 killed and wounded; Texan losses were seven to nine killed and sixty wounded, Fannin and his troops, facing overwhelming odds, surrendered at the d. Fannin was shot before a Firing Squad while seated and blindfolded. Fannin County, Texas and Fannin County, Georgia are named in his honor. Ironically, the county seat of Fannin County, Texas is Bonham , named after the individual who sought Fannin's aid at the Alamo. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINK FURTHER READING
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