Between the 'no quarter' at the Alamo, and the execution of Fannin's men at the Goliad presidio - the Texians were galvanized into defiance. Because Santa Anna was so casually brutal and careless of casualties among his own army, and determined to punish any defiance of him, the Texians simply had to fight and succeed if they wanted to live. Otherwise the rebellion might have fizzled out entirely. Oh, and Texas was just one of the Mexican states which rebelled against Santa Anna's dictatorship and abrogation of the 1824 Mexican constitution - the one which was successful at it. The Texas revolution was actually the last flare-up of the Centralist-Federalist Mexican civil war - and Santa Anna had put down the rebellions in other Mexican states with extreme brutality. Which the Texians knew all about by the time the Mexican Army appeared in Texas.
I was born at Lackland Air Force Base (San Antonio) while my dad was passing through for training. That meant nothing to me until 1955 when we were watching the Disney TV series about Davy Crockett. Dad told me I was born in the Alamo. Other kids in school may have had their coonskin caps but, by God, I was born in the Alamo. There was nothing that could put more swagger in the step of a 7-year-old than that. I never actually "lived" in Texas, but I am Texan by birth. My brother and sister were born in California. Ph-h-t-tt.
The Alamo may have been a tactical defeat, but it was a tremendous strategic victory. It delayed Santa Anna's army for long enough for Sam Houston to gather his forces and win DECISIVELY at San Jacinto.
The first wife had never seen the Alamo, so we honeymooned in San Antonio. We're looking through the defender's list, wife spots someone with the right last name.
"Think that's a relative of yours?' she asks.
"Far as I know, that's the wrong state of origin. Besides, we're on the SanJac monument," I reply.
Fossilized member of the Daughters of the Texas Revolution looks me over like she's seen a ghost.
I wasn't born in TX, but I got here as soon as I could. My daddy was a born Texan. It comes down the generations via DNA, I think. And, in the larger view....I think foreign entities could take this as a cautionary tale. The US colors don't run, either...and never will.
Fascinating. I knew this but sort of forgot. It's good every once in a while to remember. What brave men are capable of doing, what good men are capable of what truly smart people are capable of, we forget and that's not good. If there are no heroes define the word as you will, but these people qualify, nobody will ever strive to be better.
Santa Ana eventually fell, rose, and fell again. In one of his later incarnations he was responsible for introducing chicle to the United States. Chicle gave its name most obviously to Chiclets and is the basis for an almost $50 billion yearly chewing gum market. The irony is astounding.
I have a good friend, a Tejano, who was born in Goliad. Whenever we meet, I say "Remember the Alamo!" and he replies "Remember Goliad!" and we smile and shake hands.
I'm not a Texan, though my first spouse was, and had ancestors who received a land grant outside of Austin from the Republic in 1844, so my kids are definitely of Texan ancestry. I have, however, died many times there (or at least at the "Wayneamo" outside of Brackettville), often as not with Taylor Anderson by my side. In "Alamo, the Price of Freedom" (which at least used to play in the IMAX theater across the street from The Shrine) I played a Mexican 1st Sergeant and Captain, as well as Sgt. Major Hiram Williamson of the Alamo Garrison. When anyone comes into the Alamo asking for Colonel Travis in the film (including Santa Ana), I'm the one giving directions. Pretty wild. But it was very unsettling to visit The Shrine and find Williamson's name plate on the wall inside the chapel. Made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
Between the 'no quarter' at the Alamo, and the execution of Fannin's men at the Goliad presidio - the Texians were galvanized into defiance. Because Santa Anna was so casually brutal and careless of casualties among his own army, and determined to punish any defiance of him, the Texians simply had to fight and succeed if they wanted to live. Otherwise the rebellion might have fizzled out entirely. Oh, and Texas was just one of the Mexican states which rebelled against Santa Anna's dictatorship and abrogation of the 1824 Mexican constitution - the one which was successful at it. The Texas revolution was actually the last flare-up of the Centralist-Federalist Mexican civil war - and Santa Anna had put down the rebellions in other Mexican states with extreme brutality. Which the Texians knew all about by the time the Mexican Army appeared in Texas.
And this is why I love your books...
I was born at Lackland Air Force Base (San Antonio) while my dad was passing through for training. That meant nothing to me until 1955 when we were watching the Disney TV series about Davy Crockett. Dad told me I was born in the Alamo. Other kids in school may have had their coonskin caps but, by God, I was born in the Alamo. There was nothing that could put more swagger in the step of a 7-year-old than that. I never actually "lived" in Texas, but I am Texan by birth. My brother and sister were born in California. Ph-h-t-tt.
Not that it reflects any glory on me, but I'm descended from a man named Resin, who was the brother of one of those heroes.
Been to the Alamo twice, and it feels like a shrine.
Oh, it is a shrine. And the little old ladies who man it will tell you -- gently, but firmly -- to take your hat off in that sacred space.
As they should.
I still recall the name Resin Bowie. John in Indy
The Alamo may have been a tactical defeat, but it was a tremendous strategic victory. It delayed Santa Anna's army for long enough for Sam Houston to gather his forces and win DECISIVELY at San Jacinto.
The first wife had never seen the Alamo, so we honeymooned in San Antonio. We're looking through the defender's list, wife spots someone with the right last name.
"Think that's a relative of yours?' she asks.
"Far as I know, that's the wrong state of origin. Besides, we're on the SanJac monument," I reply.
Fossilized member of the Daughters of the Texas Revolution looks me over like she's seen a ghost.
I wasn't born in TX, but I got here as soon as I could. My daddy was a born Texan. It comes down the generations via DNA, I think. And, in the larger view....I think foreign entities could take this as a cautionary tale. The US colors don't run, either...and never will.
https://youtu.be/OizesB6uEd0?
Remember the Alamo
Donovan ‧ 1965
A hundred and eighty were challenged by Travis to die
By a line that he drew with his sword as the battle drew nigh
A man that crossed over the line was for glory
And he that was left better fly
And over the line crossed a hundred and seventy-nine
Hey up Santa Anna, they're killing your soldiers below
So the rest of Texas will know
And remember the Alamo
Jim Bowie lay dying, his blood and his powder were dry
But his knife at the ready to take him a few in reply
Young Davy Crockett lay laughing and dying
The blood and the sweat in his eyes
For Texas and freedom no man was more willing to die
Hey up Santa Anna, they're killing your soldiers below
So the rest of Texas will know
And remember the Alamo
A courier came to a battle once bloody and loud
And found only skin and bones where he once left a crowd
Fear not little darling of dying
If the world be sovereign and free
For we'll fight to the last for as long as liberty be
Hey up Santa Anna, they're killing your soldiers below
So the rest of Texas will know
And remember the Alamo
And remember the Alamo
Like others, I was not born in Texas* but I was raised there (from about age 3). So I grew up Texan. And I've carried that with me wherever I've gone.
(I was, however, born in what I have called the Texas of Germany - Bavaria. Used to be much of the same spirit there. Sadly, not so much anymore.)
Fascinating. I knew this but sort of forgot. It's good every once in a while to remember. What brave men are capable of doing, what good men are capable of what truly smart people are capable of, we forget and that's not good. If there are no heroes define the word as you will, but these people qualify, nobody will ever strive to be better.
Yah! That cost Santa Anna his army, his life, and Texas. Long Live Texas and Remember the Alamo.
morn not that such men died. stand in awe that such men lived.
Santa Ana eventually fell, rose, and fell again. In one of his later incarnations he was responsible for introducing chicle to the United States. Chicle gave its name most obviously to Chiclets and is the basis for an almost $50 billion yearly chewing gum market. The irony is astounding.
Ian, you really should have added a coonskin cap to that image. I think it would look tremendous.
Also REMEMBER THE ALAMO! REMEMBER GOLIAD!
I have a good friend, a Tejano, who was born in Goliad. Whenever we meet, I say "Remember the Alamo!" and he replies "Remember Goliad!" and we smile and shake hands.
I'm not a Texan, though my first spouse was, and had ancestors who received a land grant outside of Austin from the Republic in 1844, so my kids are definitely of Texan ancestry. I have, however, died many times there (or at least at the "Wayneamo" outside of Brackettville), often as not with Taylor Anderson by my side. In "Alamo, the Price of Freedom" (which at least used to play in the IMAX theater across the street from The Shrine) I played a Mexican 1st Sergeant and Captain, as well as Sgt. Major Hiram Williamson of the Alamo Garrison. When anyone comes into the Alamo asking for Colonel Travis in the film (including Santa Ana), I'm the one giving directions. Pretty wild. But it was very unsettling to visit The Shrine and find Williamson's name plate on the wall inside the chapel. Made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.