Colonel James Fannin's division was not killer but murdered by the Mexican army near Goliad. Colonel James Fannin and about 400 of his men had surrendered before the Mexican army under the control of Colonel Portilla. It can be simply called a massacre because of the way these men were killed. They were not only killed but their bodies were heaped together and then burnt. under the order of Colonel Portilla. This incident occurred on 27th march in the year of 1836. Colonel James Fannin was the last man to be murdered and then burnt with the group of his dead soldiers.