The Burning of San Felipe
historical marker
After the fall of the Alamo on March 6th, 1836, General Sam Houston and his Texian volunteers retreated eastward from Gonzales. This movement initiated what became known as the Runaway Scrape, as colonists evacuated and abandoned their homes and property. San Felipe, then the colonial capital and a significant hub, faced the advancing Mexican army. On March 29th, 1836, a small Texian garrison, led by Captain Moseley Baker, ordered the town evacuated. To prevent Mexican forces from utilizing its resources, San Felipe was then burned to the ground. This act left the town in ashes, and many residents did not return. The burning of San Felipe was a critical event during the Texas Revolution.