Fannin didn't immediately begin withdrawing from Goliad upon learning of Urrea's approach. He had dispatched wagons to retrieve some families in South Texas who had been left behind as the Texian Army retreated. Houston ordered him to withdraw, but he delayed his departure to wait on the wagons' return. The delay allowed Urrea to be in position to surround Fannin's men as they were retreating. Fannin's failure of leadership is largely to blame for the defeat.