Claim: After Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna's declaration to treat the rebellious Texians as pirates instead of soldiers and to have them executed in accordance with the law, Dillard Cooper, an American farmer and Texas Revolutionary soldier, survived the massacre of 425 men at Goliad, and soon linked up with three other surviving members of Red Rovers.
Evidence: The Goliad massacre was an event of the Texas Revolution that occurred on March 27, 1836, following the Battle of Coleto; 425–445 prisoners of war from the Texian Army of the Republic of Texas were killed by the Mexican Army in the town of Goliad, Texas. 
425–445 Texian Army prisoners of war under the command of Colonel James Fannin who was also killed 
The next day, Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836, Portilla had between 425 and 445 Texians marched from Fort Defiance in three columns on the Bexar Road, San Patricio Road, and the Victoria Road, between two rows of Mexican soldiers; they were shot point blank.