Moseley Baker (September 20, 1802 – November 8, 1848) was an American lawyer, politician, and military officer who served as the speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives and served two terms in the Congress of the Republic of Texas, where he led impeachment proceedings against President Sam Houston.

During the Texas Revolution, he led a company of men fighting in the Texian Army and was wounded at the Battle of San Jacinto.

[1] As relations soured between Texas colonists and the Mexican government, Baker began to advocate for independence from Mexico.

In July 1835, Mexican general Martin Perfecto de Cos issued warrants for the arrest of Baker and five other men, all accused of land speculation or being part of the Anahuac Disturbances.

This, combined with news that Cos was leading a large military force to Texas, convinced many colonists to embrace the idea of revolt.

When that battle ended, Baker accompanied the bulk of the army to San Antonio de Béxar, where they commenced a siege of Cos's troops, garrisoned in the Alamo Mission.

Baker fought in the Grass Fight and participated in the final assault on the city in early December.

Santa Anna brought the bulk of his army to Béxar, where they besieged the small Texan force garrisoned at the Alamo.

[10] On March 23, news reached Houston's army that General James Fannin had been defeated at the Battle of Coleto.

[12] After a brief rest in San Felipe, Houston ordered the army to march to Groce's Landing, 15 miles (24 km) away.

[13] Houston chose not to directly challenge the men, fearing he would lose control of his army if Baker or Martin were able to gather enough troops to their perspective.

[17] On March 29, scouts Deaf Smith and John York mistook a cattle drive for a cavalry troop and informed Baker that the Mexican army was only a few miles from his position.

[Note 2][15] Moses Austin Bryan, nephew of the founder of San Felipe, refused to start the fires, so Baker personally set a torch to the first home.

Knowing that the Mexican army was close, on April 6 Baker had ordered his men to hide all the boats and rafts along the river.

Private John Bricker was hit with grapeshot from the cannon, becoming the first Texian casualty of the San Jacinto campaign.

[20][21] Mexican troops built several rafts, but Baker's men fired enough that Santa Anna decided it was unwise to try to cross at that point.

[22] Baker's men and those of Wyly Martin rejoined the main body of Houston's army in the middle of the night of April 14.

Angry, Houston ordered Martin to eat and then escort the Texian families fleeing the area to the Trinity River.

[25] Houston ordered Captain James C. Neill to take the two Texian cannon to the edge of the trees and return fire.

The infantry was eager to join the fight; Baker later recounted that "it was with the utmost difficulty that I could prevent my company from rushing on the enemy".

[29] Many Texian soldiers, including Baker, were angry that Houston had not allowed the rest of the infantry to join the fight.

[31][32] Santa Anna's men had spent much of the night preparing for a Texian attack, building makeshift breastworks around their exposed camp.

[37] Baker addressed the men, giving a "rousing, inspirational" speech that referenced the sacrifices both civilians and members of the Texan military had endured.

[39] Baker's men reportedly hoisted a red handkerchief to serve as their flag, and as a warning to the Mexican troops that they would offer no quarter.

[42] From October 1836 through June 1837, Baker served in the first Congress of the Republic of Texas, representing Austin County.

Baker ran for a third term, to serve in the Sixth Congress, in 1841, but lost to Archibald Wynns by one vote.

Baker raised a company of men but fell ill and was forced to hand command to Gardiner Smith.