Fredonian Rebellion

Fredonia Rebellion
Nacogdoches, Texas, the center of "Republic of Fredonia".
Date December 21, 1826 – January 31, 1827 Location Nacogdoches, Mexican Texas Result Mexican victory
Belligerents
Mexico	Fredonian rebels
Commanders and leaders
Guadalupe Victoria	Haden Edwards

The Fredonian Rebellion (December 21, 1826 – January 23, 1827) was the first attempt by white Anglo settlers in Texas to secede from Mexico. The settlers, led by Empresario Haden Edwards, declared independence from Mexican Texas and created the unrecognized Republic of Fredonia near Nacogdoches. The short-lived republic encompassed the land the Mexican government had granted to Edwards in 1825 and included areas that had been previously settled. Edwards's actions soon alienated the established residents, and the increasing hostilities between them and settlers recruited by Edwards led Victor Blanco of the Mexican government to revoke Edwards's contract.

In late December 1826, a group of Edwards's supporters, took control of the region by arresting and removing from office several municipality officials affiliated with the established residents. Supporters declared their independence from Mexico. Although the nearby Cherokee tribe initially signed a treaty to support the new republic because a prior agreement with the Mexican government negotiated by Chief Richard Fields was ignored, overtures from Mexican authorities and respected Empresario Stephen F. Austin convinced tribal leaders to repudiate the rebellion. On January 31, 1827, a force of over 100 Mexican soldiers and 275 militiamen from Austin's colony marched into Nacogdoches to restore order. Haden Edwards and his brother Benjamin fled to the United States. Chief Richard Fields was killed by his own tribe. Adolphus Sterne, a local merchant who'd helped provide weapons to the rebellion, was arrested and sentenced to death but later paroled.