Unknown to the Texians , on February 18 , Mexican General José de Urrea led a large contingent of troops from Matamoros into Texas to neutralize the rebels gathered along the coast . His troops easily defeated Johnson 's small force on February 26 . Several days later , informants revealed Grant 's location , and on the morning of March 2 , Urrea sent 150 troops to ambush the rebels . After a brief battle , the main body of the Texian and Tejano troops were defeated . Grant and two others escaped the battle and were pursued for . Grant was killed , as were 11 men under his command . Six Texians were taken prisoner ; contrary to Santa Anna 's orders , Urrea did not execute them , but instead sent them to a jail in Matamoros . An additional six Texians escaped ; five of them later died in the Goliad massacre
Goliad massacre
Goliad massacre
Battle of Agua Dulce