<P> As news of the Alamo's fall spread, volunteer ranks swelled, reaching about 1,400 men on March 19 . Houston learned of Fannin's defeat on March 20 and realized his army was the last hope for an independent Texas . Concerned that his ill - trained and ill - disciplined force would only be good for one battle and aware that his men could easily be outflanked by Urrea's forces, Houston continued to avoid engagement, to the immense displeasure of his troops . By March 28, the Texian army had retreated 120 miles (190 km) across the Navidad and Colorado Rivers . Many troops deserted; those who remained grumbled that their commander was a coward . </P> <P> On March 31, Houston paused his men at Groce's Landing, roughly 15 miles (24 km) north of San Felipe . Two companies that refused to retreat further than San Felipe were assigned to guard the crossings on the Brazos River . For the next two weeks, the Texians rested, recovered from illness, and, for the first time, began practicing military drills . While there, two cannons, known as the Twin Sisters, arrived from Cincinnati, Ohio . Interim Secretary of War Thomas Rusk joined the camp, with orders from President David G. Burnet to replace Houston if he refused to fight . Houston quickly persuaded Rusk that his plans were sound . Secretary of State Samuel P. Carson advised Houston to continue retreating all the way to the Sabine River, where more volunteers would likely flock from the United States and allow the army to counterattack . Unhappy with everyone involved, Burnet wrote to Houston: "The enemy are laughing you to scorn . You must fight them . You must retreat no further . The country expects you to fight . The salvation of the country depends on your doing so ." Complaints within the camp became so strong that Houston posted notices that anyone attempting to usurp his position would be court - martialed and shot . </P> <P> Santa Anna and a smaller force had remained in Béxar . After receiving word that the acting president, Miguel Barragán, had died, Santa Anna seriously considered returning to Mexico City to solidify his position . Fear that Urrea's victories would position him as a political rival convinced Santa Anna to remain in Texas to personally oversee the final phase of the campaign . He left on March 29 to join Ramírez y Sesma, leaving only a small force to hold Béxar . At dawn on April 7, their combined force marched into San Felipe and captured a Texian soldier, who informed Santa Anna that the Texians planned to retreat further if the Mexican army crossed the Brazos River . Unable to cross the Brazos due to the small company of Texians barricaded at the river crossing, on April 14 a frustrated Santa Anna led a force of about 700 troops to capture the interim Texas government . Government officials fled mere hours before Mexican troops arrived in Harrisburgh (now Harrisburg, Houston) and Santa Anna sent Colonel Juan Almonte with 50 cavalry to intercept them in New Washington . Almonte arrived just as Burnet shoved off in a rowboat, bound for Galveston Island . Although the boat was still within range of their weapons, Almonte ordered his men to hold their fire so as not to endanger Burnet's family . </P> <P> At this point, Santa Anna believed the rebellion was in its final death throes . The Texian government had been forced off the mainland, with no way to communicate with its army, which had shown no interest in fighting . He determined to block the Texian army's retreat and put a decisive end to the war . Almonte's scouts incorrectly reported that Houston's army was going to Lynchburg Crossing, on Buffalo Bayou, in preparation for joining the government in Galveston, so Santa Anna ordered Harrisburg burned and pressed on towards Lynchburg . </P>

What does the republic of texas do 9 years after the alamo and battle of san jacinto