Page "Manuel Fernández Castrillón" Paragraph 2

During the Texas Revolution, Fernández Castrillón served as Santa Anna's aide-de-camp.

He joined Santa Anna on the 1836 invasion of Texas, which first journeyed to San Antonio de Bexar, and besieged the small Texan force garrisoned at the Alamo.

Castrillón often argued against Santa Anna's decision to immediately assault the Alamo, advocating instead that the Mexican army wait for the arrival of the heavier cannon that would reduce the Alamo walls to rubble.

On March 6, 1836, during the final assault of the Alamo, Castrillón took command of the Toluca Battalion after Colonel Francisco Duque was wounded.

This column attacked the north wall of the Alamo.

According to the diary of José Enrique de la Peña, after the Mexican victory at the Battle of the Alamo, Castrillón brought before Santa Anna six or seven Texians who he had taken prisoner during the final Alamo assault.

Historian Edmondson speculates that these men may have been sick and unable to participate in the fighting.

Castrillón petitioned that their lives be spared.

Santa Anna had stated that no prisoners would be taken and ordered the Texians executed on the spot.

Weeks later, during the Goliad Massacre, Fernández Castrillón also protested – in vain – the execution of nearly 400 Texian prisoners, including their leader, James Fannin.