As are many Texans, I am very proud of our unique heritage as a state. This is the 'Time of the Texas Revolution' and for those who go back generations and those like my mother who "weren't born in Texas but got here as fast as they could", it is important to understand our history. And it's about 2 groups who settled this land, Tejanos, the Mexican citizens who went north of the Rio Grande to settle land and the Texicans, the settlers from the US and all over the world, who came to settle land with the blessing and encouragement of the Mexican Govt. Both groups would fight for Texas Independence.
Over the next few weeks, we'll share some of our Texas history. Hope you enjoy it, hope some learn from it. Please embrace our state, it's different in many ways from other states. And for 9 glorious though broke years, we were in fact a free standing Republic recognized by nations such as France Belgium England and the short lived Republic of the Yucatan. To this day the Texas Legislation in London still has a plaque on the building they officed. Texas is the only state admitted to the Union by treaty.
Onto the timeline
On this date in 1836, the tyrant Santa Anna arrives in Saltillo, the capital of Coahuila Mexico and the northern most major city before Texas. His army numbers approx 6,000
This invasion is built off the 2 Oct 1835, Battle of Gonzales, the famous "Come and Take It" fight when the citizens of Gonzales refused to return a cannon loaned by the Mexican Army for defense against Indians. The Mexican's sent 100 dragoons to seize the cannon. These dragoons proved no match for the 140 Texicans with small (barely bigger than a shot gun) cannon and Kentucky rifles. Mexicans suffered 2 killed and the Texans one broken nose by a militiaman bucked off his horse. While there was little military significance to the battle, this marks the clear start of hostilities and gave Santa Anna the excuse he needed to invade. Oh yeah, they created a cool flag we still use today.
We mentioned the Kentucky rifles because they created a strong tactical advantage for the Texicans just as they had for George Washington in the American Revolution. The British and Mexican armies were primarily armed with smooth bore muskets. The difference, the Kentucky Rifles had "rifled" barrels (hence the name) which spun the bullets as they traveled down the barrel. This created both far more accuracy and much longer (about twice) the range. Muskets had smooth bores and much less accuracy. Which is why the Brits and Mexican's (using the style of the French and Spanish armies who trained them) fought in closely packed rows.
The beginning of the move to Texas Independence was rooted in March of 1834 when Santa Anna had rescinded the Mexican Constitution of 1824, stripping Texans (and all Mexican citizens) of their rights. The part of the story that history has failed to tell was the Texas was not the only state that rebelled against Santa Anna's tyranny (he was the Salaam Hussein of his time), Texas was the only one that pulled it off. The rebellions in other states were put down BRUTALLY as the Santa Anna controlled Mexican Congress deemed anyone not abdicating their rights and resisting to be pirates sentenced to death without trial. In doing this, Santa Anna also outlawed all militia groups. This left the Texicans and Tejanos with no organized protection against the indians who were the #1 threat to the landowners at the time.
On 3 Nov of 1835, the Consultation was formed, basically the Texas Provisional Govt to define the Texicans grievances against Mexico. #1 the loss of rights guaranteed by the Mexican Constitution of 1824. They would serve until March of 1836 when Texas would declare Independence and form the govt of the Republic of Texas.
On 5 Dec, Ben Milam leads the assault on the Alamo mission where Gen Cos is encamped with approx 500 men. Despite receiving reinforcements of another 500 men, Gen Cos surrenders the Alamo and is paroled to leave Texas with the promise not to return to fight the Texicans. Yet another promise broken.
The die is now cast and in the coming weeks, the fight for Texas Independence will capture the hearts and minds of the world. A recent yellow journalism book was written that tries to falsely claim this war was about slavery. While Texicans had slaves, this fight was about land (why the settlers came) and it was about the rights protected by the Mexican Constitution of 1824. Had Mexico not made an exception of their no slavery rule for the Texicans, there would have been no slaves in Texas. And very few of the original 300 settlers came with slaves. In reality, there were 297 who came to Texas under grants issued by Stephen F Austin, my great grandfather X 3 was James Jeffers Ross who helped found Fayetteville Texas, his name even listed first on the plaque at the Fayett County court house, north of Columbus. I am a 6th and 7th generation Texan, Son of the Texas Republic. 6th Generation was Daniel Bird who rode with Jack Coffee Hayes and the Texas Rangers.
We'll share the milestones as they happen, long live Texas.
Over the next few weeks, we'll share some of our Texas history. Hope you enjoy it, hope some learn from it. Please embrace our state, it's different in many ways from other states. And for 9 glorious though broke years, we were in fact a free standing Republic recognized by nations such as France Belgium England and the short lived Republic of the Yucatan. To this day the Texas Legislation in London still has a plaque on the building they officed. Texas is the only state admitted to the Union by treaty.
Onto the timeline
On this date in 1836, the tyrant Santa Anna arrives in Saltillo, the capital of Coahuila Mexico and the northern most major city before Texas. His army numbers approx 6,000
This invasion is built off the 2 Oct 1835, Battle of Gonzales, the famous "Come and Take It" fight when the citizens of Gonzales refused to return a cannon loaned by the Mexican Army for defense against Indians. The Mexican's sent 100 dragoons to seize the cannon. These dragoons proved no match for the 140 Texicans with small (barely bigger than a shot gun) cannon and Kentucky rifles. Mexicans suffered 2 killed and the Texans one broken nose by a militiaman bucked off his horse. While there was little military significance to the battle, this marks the clear start of hostilities and gave Santa Anna the excuse he needed to invade. Oh yeah, they created a cool flag we still use today.
We mentioned the Kentucky rifles because they created a strong tactical advantage for the Texicans just as they had for George Washington in the American Revolution. The British and Mexican armies were primarily armed with smooth bore muskets. The difference, the Kentucky Rifles had "rifled" barrels (hence the name) which spun the bullets as they traveled down the barrel. This created both far more accuracy and much longer (about twice) the range. Muskets had smooth bores and much less accuracy. Which is why the Brits and Mexican's (using the style of the French and Spanish armies who trained them) fought in closely packed rows.
The beginning of the move to Texas Independence was rooted in March of 1834 when Santa Anna had rescinded the Mexican Constitution of 1824, stripping Texans (and all Mexican citizens) of their rights. The part of the story that history has failed to tell was the Texas was not the only state that rebelled against Santa Anna's tyranny (he was the Salaam Hussein of his time), Texas was the only one that pulled it off. The rebellions in other states were put down BRUTALLY as the Santa Anna controlled Mexican Congress deemed anyone not abdicating their rights and resisting to be pirates sentenced to death without trial. In doing this, Santa Anna also outlawed all militia groups. This left the Texicans and Tejanos with no organized protection against the indians who were the #1 threat to the landowners at the time.
On 3 Nov of 1835, the Consultation was formed, basically the Texas Provisional Govt to define the Texicans grievances against Mexico. #1 the loss of rights guaranteed by the Mexican Constitution of 1824. They would serve until March of 1836 when Texas would declare Independence and form the govt of the Republic of Texas.
On 5 Dec, Ben Milam leads the assault on the Alamo mission where Gen Cos is encamped with approx 500 men. Despite receiving reinforcements of another 500 men, Gen Cos surrenders the Alamo and is paroled to leave Texas with the promise not to return to fight the Texicans. Yet another promise broken.
The die is now cast and in the coming weeks, the fight for Texas Independence will capture the hearts and minds of the world. A recent yellow journalism book was written that tries to falsely claim this war was about slavery. While Texicans had slaves, this fight was about land (why the settlers came) and it was about the rights protected by the Mexican Constitution of 1824. Had Mexico not made an exception of their no slavery rule for the Texicans, there would have been no slaves in Texas. And very few of the original 300 settlers came with slaves. In reality, there were 297 who came to Texas under grants issued by Stephen F Austin, my great grandfather X 3 was James Jeffers Ross who helped found Fayetteville Texas, his name even listed first on the plaque at the Fayett County court house, north of Columbus. I am a 6th and 7th generation Texan, Son of the Texas Republic. 6th Generation was Daniel Bird who rode with Jack Coffee Hayes and the Texas Rangers.
We'll share the milestones as they happen, long live Texas.
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