[1] As Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna began consolidating power in early 1835, the state government of Coahuila y Tejas defied his orders.

Viesca immediately designated San Antonio de Bexar as the focus of the state government and issued a proclamation asking the people of Mexican Texas to arm themselves in support of the now overthrown Constitution of 1824.

The group continued their journey into Texas, but rather than travel directly to San Antonio they took a coastal route towards Goliad, where Texians had recently gained control of Presidio La Bahia.

[2]: 116  After leaving San Patricio, Viesca met Texian troops led by Ira Westover, who had recently defeated another Mexican force at the Battle of Lipantitlan.

However, he wrote to Texian Army commander Stephen F. Austin that as "I did not conceived myself duly authorized to receive this gentleman in an official capacity, no such reception was either given or intended.