COMMEMORATIVE COIN

"The obverse of the 2005 TNA medal features Col. James W. Fannin, Commander at Goliad, and Francisca Alvarez,  Angel of Goliad.  Fannin was born in Georgia, in 1804.  In 1834 he came to Texas and settled in Brazoria County, where he organized a military company known as the Brazoria Guards. In 1835 he won recognition in the Battle of Concepcion and was soon promoted to the rank of colonel.  After the fall of the Alamo, Col. Fannin, who was in command at Goliad,  was given orders to retreat to Victoria.  During his retreat, his army was surrounded by Mexican troops.  After two days of fighting, Fannin and his men surrendered.  General Santa Anna ordered that all prisoners be executed, and on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836, Fannin and about 350 of his men were executed.

Señora Francisca Alvarez was the wife of a captain in the Mexican army.  She is known as the Angel of Goliad because her intervention saved the lives of more than 25 of Fannin’s men.  Señora Alvarez holds the distinction of the only person on the Mexican side of the struggle for Texas Independence to be honored by the Texas House and Senate.  Dr. Joseph H. Barnard, a survivor of the Goliad Massacre, felt Señora Alvarez’ name should be perpetuated and "recorded  in the annals of this country and treasured in the heart of every Texan."  She is also referred to as the Angel of Mercy because of her many acts of compassion toward the prisoners.   Señora Alvarez is recognized as a heroine of the Texas Revolution."