Alexander Somervell, a Texan customs officer from Matagorda Island, leaves San Antonio with seven hundred men under his command on a military expedition to punish the Mexican Army for raids in Texas.

The Somervell Expedition recaptures Laredo on December 7, 1842; then, with a reduced force of five hundred, takes the Mexican town of Guerrero.

Lacking serious backing for the expedition from the Republic of Texas, Somervell orders his men to disband and return home on December 19, 1842.

Five captains and their men disobey, initiating the privateering Mier Expedition.

More men are gathered at La Grange.

They continue the march to Ciudad Mier under the command of William S. Fisher.