GOLIAD, an incorporated village of south-eastern Texas, on the San Antonio river and the Southern Pacific railway, 85m. S.E. of San Antonio; the county seat of Goliad county. The population in 193o was 1,424. Goliad is surrounded by a very rich farming and grazing country. The interesting Spanish mission of La Bahia, moved here in 1747 from the Guadaloupe river, is still in a good state of preservation. The name Goliad, in use since 1829, is probably an anagram of the name of the Mexican patriot Hidalgo (1757-1811). During the struggle between Mexico and Spain the Mexican leader Bernardo Gutierrez was besieged here. On the outbreak of the Texan War of Liberation Goliad was garrisoned by a small force of Mexicans, who were soon forced to surrender, and on Dec. 20, 1835, a preliminary "dec laration of independence" was published here. In 1836, when Santa Anna began his advance, Goliad was occupied by 35o American troops under Col. James W. Fannin. In obeying orders to withdraw and join Gen. Houston, they were overtaken on Co letto Creek, and after a sharp fight (March 19-20) were obliged to surrender, whereupon they were marched back to Goliad, and were shot down (March 27) by Santa Anna's command.