Today is the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo. For a complete description of the events leading up to this battle I recommend T.H. Ferenbach's Lone Star. He tells the story MUCH better than I ever could.
To me, the most important aspect of this battle [aside from the deaths of all defenders] is the fact that the defenders bought precious time for Sam Houston to gather and train his army. And THAT lead to victory a few weeks later [April 21 to be specific] at San Jacinto.
Please take a second to remember the brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice for Liberty and for Texas.
Showing posts with label TX History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TX History. Show all posts
Friday, March 06, 2009
Monday, April 21, 2008
San Jacinto Day
162 year ago today, a bunch of Texians met a MUCH larger bunch of Mexicans on a patch of land between what is now Houston and Texas City. If ya'll want to read a really fine description of the battle and the circumstances leading up to it, I refer you to a historian I just adore!
Today there's a monolith close to that site. It's modeled after the Washington monument, 'cept this Texas memorial is taller on account of the Lone Star crownin' it.
In the School District I attended from 5th through 12th grade we got two holidays per year that other students in Texas missed. We were given a day off in February to attend the opening of the Houston Fat Stock Show. When April 21 came, we got that day off in honor of The Battle that actually won Texas' Independence. [personally I think we should have gotten March 2, 6 and 27 off, too: for TX Independence Declaration Day; Alamo Day; and Goliad Day, respectively. But that's just 5 generations of Native Texan blood talkin']
Later, in May, we'd take a field trip out to the Battleground. If you ever can't decide where to go on vacation, and you have an interest in Texas history, may I suggest you visit the San Jacinto Battleground. Read T.R. Fehrenbach's Texas, before you go. Take notes, or take the book with you with the pages describing The Battle marked. The Battleground has markers, but having this excellent reference will be helpful when you visit what many Texans consider hallowed ground. It's quite the thrill to stand on the same ground, close your eyes and imagine what it must have been like.
Visit that monolith I mentioned above, too. We call it the San Jacinto Memorial. The names of all our Texas patriots are carved into the base. If you are lucky enough to live in Texas, you may find the name of your county on there, since many of our counties were named after these brave men.
When the Dearly Beloved and I were talking about our S.J. Day posts, I asked him if he was going to do his usual, fact-filled, educational post that ever-body loves. He allowed as to how that was his plan. I figured since I can NEVER compete with his level of expertise in the history arena.. He majored in it, I'm just a proud Daughter of the Texas Revolution [eligible, anyway, I'm not much of a joiner. Besides, Robert Patton showed up a day late for San Jacinto, but he did play a part.] I decided I would take another tact, since I can't compete with his historical knowledge. My idea is to urge y'all to perform a Citizen's Arrest, if you can do so without risk of personal injury, of an Illegal Mexican Immigrant. Actually, my originally words were, "Shoot an Illegal for Texas", but that seemed a bit harsh, even in jest...so I toned it down. See, I CAN so be P.C.!
Today there's a monolith close to that site. It's modeled after the Washington monument, 'cept this Texas memorial is taller on account of the Lone Star crownin' it.
In the School District I attended from 5th through 12th grade we got two holidays per year that other students in Texas missed. We were given a day off in February to attend the opening of the Houston Fat Stock Show. When April 21 came, we got that day off in honor of The Battle that actually won Texas' Independence. [personally I think we should have gotten March 2, 6 and 27 off, too: for TX Independence Declaration Day; Alamo Day; and Goliad Day, respectively. But that's just 5 generations of Native Texan blood talkin']
Later, in May, we'd take a field trip out to the Battleground. If you ever can't decide where to go on vacation, and you have an interest in Texas history, may I suggest you visit the San Jacinto Battleground. Read T.R. Fehrenbach's Texas, before you go. Take notes, or take the book with you with the pages describing The Battle marked. The Battleground has markers, but having this excellent reference will be helpful when you visit what many Texans consider hallowed ground. It's quite the thrill to stand on the same ground, close your eyes and imagine what it must have been like.
Visit that monolith I mentioned above, too. We call it the San Jacinto Memorial. The names of all our Texas patriots are carved into the base. If you are lucky enough to live in Texas, you may find the name of your county on there, since many of our counties were named after these brave men.
When the Dearly Beloved and I were talking about our S.J. Day posts, I asked him if he was going to do his usual, fact-filled, educational post that ever-body loves. He allowed as to how that was his plan. I figured since I can NEVER compete with his level of expertise in the history arena.. He majored in it, I'm just a proud Daughter of the Texas Revolution [eligible, anyway, I'm not much of a joiner. Besides, Robert Patton showed up a day late for San Jacinto, but he did play a part.] I decided I would take another tact, since I can't compete with his historical knowledge. My idea is to urge y'all to perform a Citizen's Arrest, if you can do so without risk of personal injury, of an Illegal Mexican Immigrant. Actually, my originally words were, "Shoot an Illegal for Texas", but that seemed a bit harsh, even in jest...so I toned it down. See, I CAN so be P.C.!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Happy 173rd Birthday, Texas!!!
Yes, Children. 173 years ago today, a noble republic was born when a group of settlers decided they wanted "NO More" of the chains of unarmed slavery demanded by the Mexican Government. Declaring Independence, they signed the Texas Declaration of same. 13 months later, at the Battle of San Jacinto, the Army of the Republic would defeat the Army of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana. Santa Ana would be taken prisoner and Texas' independence would be won.
But on this day, that glorious April victory was a long time in the future. They, the settlers, the patriots, the freedom fighters from within the borders of Texas and from around the United States who came to aid us in our battle to overcome a tyrannical despot, would face many hardships in those 13 months.
They would have to face a lack of training, but they had plenty of men willing to lead. The leaders didn't want to follow any of the other leaders, however. They would have to face economic hardships, but they had a land rich in natural resources. The people who lived on the land, the women and children of the men willing to fight for freedom would be burned out, forced to leave their homes and sent on the refugee road.
And those men who were fighting, what of them? Some would die, as soldiers often do. But others would be MURDERED after surrendering under what they were given to believe were honorable circumstances. Many of these volunteers never having heard of the concept of "No Quarter," they were totally surprised when stood before Mexican firing squads.
Yes, these and other events were to happen. Why these ignorant, unwashed, farmers and peasants, as the Mexican elite thought of the Texas settlers, even borrowed from the ancient Greeks for their first flag.
It was at Gonzales. Well, that's another blog.
But on this day, that glorious April victory was a long time in the future. They, the settlers, the patriots, the freedom fighters from within the borders of Texas and from around the United States who came to aid us in our battle to overcome a tyrannical despot, would face many hardships in those 13 months.
They would have to face a lack of training, but they had plenty of men willing to lead. The leaders didn't want to follow any of the other leaders, however. They would have to face economic hardships, but they had a land rich in natural resources. The people who lived on the land, the women and children of the men willing to fight for freedom would be burned out, forced to leave their homes and sent on the refugee road.
And those men who were fighting, what of them? Some would die, as soldiers often do. But others would be MURDERED after surrendering under what they were given to believe were honorable circumstances. Many of these volunteers never having heard of the concept of "No Quarter," they were totally surprised when stood before Mexican firing squads.
Yes, these and other events were to happen. Why these ignorant, unwashed, farmers and peasants, as the Mexican elite thought of the Texas settlers, even borrowed from the ancient Greeks for their first flag.
It was at Gonzales. Well, that's another blog.
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