He was a defender of the government of President Guadalupe Victoria at the time of the revolt of in 1827. He fought in Tampico against the invasion of the Spaniard Isidro Barradas in 1829. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1832. He commanded one of the columns in the assault on the Alamo, and fought in the action at . He covered the retreat of the Mexican forces to Matamoros.