On October 2, 1835, Texas colonists[2] attacked a Mexican force at the Battle of Gonzales, formally launching the Texas Revolution.[3] After the battle ended, disgruntled colonists continued to assemble in Gonzales, eager to put a decisive end to Mexican control over the area. On October 11 the disorganized volunteers elected Stephen F. Austin, who had settled the first English-speaking colonists in Texas, as their commander-in-chief.[4] Several days later Austin marched his newly created Texian Army towards San Antonio de Béxar, where General Martín Perfecto de Cos, brother-in-law of Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna, oversaw the garrison at the Alamo.[5] In late October the Texians initiated a siege of Béxar.[6]