I should have used the word needless in place of useless. LH is right on about what Santa Anna should have done. He also passed up a larger and more stratigic force at Goliad to get to San Antonio. Why? Vengence.His ego demanded taking back the town surrended by his brother-in-law general Cos, putting a blemish on his family's honor. As far as Land Grabbing, the Spanish had allready grabed it from the rightfull owners, we just re grabed it. Mike