The battles of 1835 were fought mainly by Texas settlers, men who had a vested interest in defending Texas’ soil. By the end of the year, however, they believed the war was over, and they returned to their homes. The 1836 campaign would be conducted principally with volunteers from the United States, a weakness that would hamper the war effort throughout the rest of the Revolution. While the Texan army drove out the Mexican forces, a “Consultation” of delegates from each of the municipalities met to determine how best to proceed. On November 7, they issued a declaration of causes for taking up arms against Santa Anna. A vote of 33 to 15 favored the peace party: Texas would fight to restore the Constitution of 1824 and to achieve separate statehood for Texas within the Mexican confederation. A government of sorts was set up by the Consultation. It consisted of a governor, council, and lieutenant governor. None of the parties held sufficient executive or legislative powers. Furthermore, the governor, Henry Smith, favored complete independence for Texas; a majority of the council favored continuing as part of Mexico. Within a month these parties were fighting among themselves. Then, on January 10, Governor Smith attempted to dismiss the council; the council impeached Smith and replaced him with Lt. Governor James W. Robinson. The split between Smith and the council was caused by attempts to mount a Matamoros Expedition—an ill-favored plan to take the war outside of Texas and to keep U. S. volunteers occupied. Although the Matamoros Expedition never was organized, it drew off supplies and volunteers desperately needed in Texas, and it divided the political and military leaders at a time when unified action was essential. As winter held Texas in its grip, Santa Anna mounted a counterattack. Arriving in San Antonio on February 23, he laid siege to the Alamo, where 150 Texans attempted to buy time for Texas. Only 32 volunteers from Gonzales came to reinforce the men at the Alamo. All were killed shortly after dawn on March 6. While the Alamo was besieged, Texans met in Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos. On March 2, the Convention declared Texas independence, and a Declaration to that effect was signed the following day. Before the meeting adjourned, a constitution was drafted and an interim government set up. Texan reverses in the field continued. Learning of the fall of the Alamo, Sam Houston and the undermanned and untrained Texas army began a hasty retreat eastward. F. W. Johnson was attacked at San Patricio on February 27, and only he and four men survived. James Grant and his men were surrounded and killed at Agua Dulce on March 2. Refugio was attacked and Amon King and the garrison were killed on March 16. William Ward, who had been sent to relieve King, was captured with his men on March 22. They were marched to Goliad where they were executed on March 27.