[JAMES WALKER] FANNIN took command at Goliad in the latter part of January, 1836. Houston had retired to east Texas and was, until early in March, engaged in treaty making with the Indians there, and in tending to his personal affairs. Early in January the Texans had information that Santa Anna was leading a large force to invade Texas and to subdue her in retaliation for the severe defeat the Mexicans had received at the hands of the Texans at San Antonio and Lipantitlán. Houston was in favor of withdrawing to east Texas and there to consolidate and hold the army. Fannin, Grant, and Johnson wanted to meet the enemy on the border and keep the war out of Texas. The divided state of command and authority among the Texans resulted in nothing being done until the Mexican Army was upon them. On February 23, Santa Anna appeared before San Antonio, where only a feeble garrison, under Travis, awaited him. Travis withdrew into the Alamo and was besieged by Santa Anna's vastly superior force.