Cordova Rebellion

The Cordova Rebellion

After Texas had won independence from Mexico in the Texas Revolution, Anglo settlers began to swarm into the town of Nacogdoches. They soon outnumbered the Tejano citizens (Mexicans born in Texas) who had called Nacogdoches home for generations. Many Tejanos in the area remained loyal to Mexico, and they were not pleased with the sudden increase in Anlgo settlers.

The Cordova Rebellion

Late in the summer of 1838, a group of Nacogdoches citizens accidentally uncovered a plot of rebellion against the new Republic of Texas. Hearing rumors about the rebellion, President Houston issued a statement on August 8, 1838 that banned unlawful assemblies and the carrying of arms. Two days later, the leader of the rebellion, Vicente Córdova, issued his own statement that the rebels were ready to take up arms in order to defend their rights against the Texas government.

To whom it may concern,

We can no longer allow our rights and freedoms to be violated by the Republic of Texas. We will take up arms to defend our rights against the Texas government. Sincerely, Vicente Cordova and the other leaders

The Cordova Rebellion

Vicente Cordova was a Tejano from Nacogdoches who opposed Texas independence and wanted to overthrow the republic. He convinced members of several different tribes to assist in the plot, including some Cherokee. He gathered a force of 300 to 600 Tejanos, Mexicans, and Natives and began attacking frontier settlements in East Texas until they were stopped by a Texas militia.

The Cordova Rebellion

Cordova escaped capture and made his way back to Mexico, while the rest of the Tejano leaders went into hiding. Although the rebellion was over, the Texas government became aware that the Cordova Rebellion was much more than just a few Tejanos in Nacogdoches taking up arms against the government. They discovered that it was a far-reaching web of conspiracy between Tejanos, the Mexican government, and Cherokees led by Chief Bowles. The goal of the rebellion was to overthrow the Republic of Texas.

The Cordova Rebellion

Chief Bowles denied that he had anything to do with the rebellion. However, written records would indicate otherwise. On August 20, 1838, Julián Pedro Miracle (who was a Tejano fighter in the Cordova Rebellion) was killed. On his body was found a diary, and in that diary Miracle had recorded a conversation between himself and Chief Bowles in which they agreed to start a war against Texas.

Dear Diary

Today,I met with Chief Bowles of the Cherokee. He agreed join us and start a war against Texas!

HIM!

The Cordova Rebellion

Sam Houston, who was friends with Chief Bowles, believed that the Cherokee leader was innocent and had not participated in the Cordova Rebellion. Mirabeau Lamar, who would become the 2nd President of Texas, did not believe Chief Bowles. After the rebellion, Lamar became convinced that the Cherokee could not be allowed to live in Texas. Within 7 months of taking office, Lamar began the Cherokee War of 1839 which resulted in the expulsion of all Cherokees from Texas.

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