DUANE
Duane's take
The official marker tells it this way, and I'm just the one ridin' shotgun on the story. This place goes by Santa Anna Mound now, but it was formerly known as DeWitt Mound, and today it sits as the site of the DeWitt Family Cemetery. Quiet enough now.
Wasn't always. Between September 29 and October 1, 1835, Mexican troops camped right here on this ground, and they weren't passing through for the scenery. They were waiting — waiting on the delivery of a cannon.
The Gonzales cannon. The colonists had it. The Mexicans wanted it back.
Now, here's the thing about that cannon: the colonists refused to surrender it. Just flat refused. And when that became clear, the Mexican troops retreated — headed back toward Bexar.
But the Texans weren't content to watch them go. On October 2, five miles west of here, the Texans overtook them. What followed was the Battle of Gonzales.
And when the smoke cleared, the Texans were the victors. One mound, one cannon, one stubborn refusal — and a battle that history decided not to forget.
What the marker says
Formerly DeWitt Mound now site DeWitt Family Cemetery. Here Mexican troops camped between September 29 and October 1, 1835, awaiting delivery of the Gonzales cannon. Colonists refusing to surrender cannon, the Mexicans retreated toward Bexar, where on October 2, five miles west, the Texans overtook them. The Battle of Gonzales ensued with Texans as victors.