📅 On This Day in Military History

March 3

1 event across history

⚔️📍 Mier, Mexico1843

Mier Expedition — Texas Rangers Captured in Mexico

A force of Texas volunteers crossed into Mexico and were surrounded and captured at Mier after a failed escape attempt. Mexican President Santa Anna ordered every tenth man executed — soldiers drew beans to determine who would die, 17 drawing black beans and facing a firing squad.

The Black Bean Episode became one of the most infamous events in Texas history and inflamed Texas-Mexico tensions, contributing to the mood that led to the Mexican-American War.

Outcome

Texans captured; 17 executed by lottery; survivors march to Mexico City