View of the ruins of the old church and fortification at Goliad.

During the war, many U.S. Volunteer troops passed through Texas on their way to Mexico. Private Furber and at least several soldiers of the Tennessee Mounted Infantry made a special point of visiting the ruins of the Goliad mission and fortifications, where, by Mexican General Santa Anna's orders, over 400 Texan prisoners had been executed on March 27, 1836, during the Texans' War of Independence. The visit undoubtedly made for a perfect motivational stop.