Col. William B. Travis is sent to San Antonio, just ahead of a large force of Mexican troops, to remove artillery, destroy or remove supplies and perhaps raze the Alamo. His orders are to deny the former mission, and anything of value in it, to the Mexican Army. Finding little of value after the siege of San Antonio, Travis elects to ignore his orders and defend the crumbling walls of the Alamo to buy time for the withdrawal of civilians and the organization of Texas troops.
James Fanin and his troops ignore orders from President Sam Houston to withdraw from the Presidio of Goliad. Like Travis’ forces at the Alamo, they elect to stay and defend the post.