We celebrate Texas history on March 2
Last week, on March 2, we celebrated Texas Independence Day. This day, March 2, 1836, was when 59 delegates signed a document declaring independence from Mexico and creating the Republic of Texas.
At the time of that signing, The Battle of the Alamo had been raging for nine days and was destined to continue to the 13th day before the Mexican army overrun and kill all defendants. This event was eventually immortalized by the phrase, “Thirteen Days of Glory” and spawned that famous Texas battle cry, “Remember The Alamo!”
The true history of Texas began millions of years ago when dinosaurs roamed this land. Fast forward to about 11,000 B.C. as the first immigrants begin their journey to a land eventually known as Texas.
Artifacts from the pre-historic periods tell the story of early Texas inhabitants. In about 1400, the Caddo establish their civilization and in the 1500s Spanish explorers come into the Texas coast, driving inland toward the Rio Grande. And in the late 1600s, French explorers develop a colony only to be felled by Indians, disease, poisonous snakes and malnutrition and finally finished off by Karankawa Indians.
A Spanish expedition finds the remains of Ft. St. Louis and fearing French intentions to lay claim to Spanish territory, the Spanish begin establishing missions and settlements On May 1,1718 The San Antonio de Valero mission, containing a chapel that would become known as the Alamo is founded in San Antonio. In the early 1800s, Moses Austin is granted permission to establish a colony of Anglos in this Texas area, primarily as a buffer between Mexican settlers and the Comanche Indians.
Moses dies, but his son, Stephen F. Austin is allowed to continue this colonization. On August 24, 1821 Mexico declares their independence from Spain and eventually approve Austin’s plan to bring three hundred families, known as the “Old Three Hundred,” to colonize this land. But the Mexican government passes laws to stop immigration and the establish custom houses to collect tariffs, causing a deterioration of relations between Anglo settlers and the Mexican government.
As early as 1832, there were skirmishes pitting Texas insurgents against Mexican authorities and civil unrest that culminated in what is considered to be the opening battle of the Texas Revolution on Oct. 2, 1835, when Mexican troops attempt to retrieve a cannon that had been given to Gonzales colonists for protection from Indian attack.
A skirmish ensues as Gonzales residents dare the Mexicans to “come and take it.” March 2, 1836 The Texas Declaration of Independence is adopted at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Meanwhile, the Battle of the Alamo began Feb. 23 and resulted in a 13-day siege of the Alamo by Mexican troops led by Santa Anna ends on this day with a battle in which all remaining defenders are killed. This battle is known as “Texas 13 days of Glory” and created the Texas battle cry “Remember the Alamo!”
Immortalized in the words of a song
In the southern part of Texas
Near the town of San Antone
Like a statue on his pinto
Rides a cowboy all alone
And he sees the cattle grazin’
Where a century before
Santa Anna’s guns were blazin’
And the cannons used to roar
And his eyes turn sorta misty
And his heart begins to glow
And he takes his hat off slowly
To the men of Alamo
Thirteen Days Of Glory
They came seeking the promise of a fresh start,
These pilgrims from throughout the land
Into the unknown, intent to do their part,
With gun and plow they’d make their stand.
They crossed the wilderness to clear and plow the soil.
Overcoming hardships and strife,
The days were long as they continued to toil
They had chose this way of life.
And these settlers longed for a life that was free,
Tho trust was short and suspicions grew,
Since the Mexican government did not agree,
Across the land, winds of change blew.
Came the call to arms across both hill an’ dale,
Each settler knew what they must do,
And they came to rally for a cause that must not fail,
Stand tall an’ to a man be true.
The day has dawned, stirring pangs of freedom sweet,
Tho spark of liberty would glow,
As the battle weary soldier struggles to his feet,
Hearing the bugles haunting echo.
In a sleepy Spanish Mission beneath the Cottonwood tree,
Mustered this weary rag-tag band,
They would choose to become one with destiny,
With a line drawn in the sand.
An’ wave upon wave came the enemy hoard,
Yet they were constantly pushed back,
The numbers overpowered with cannon and sword,
The Texians withstood the attack,
The Mexican General swore death to every man,
His terms were to give no quarter,
The end was near as final battle began,
In this abysmal slaughter.
And at last, the constant roar of battle wains,
Signaling the end of this story,
Tho the undaunting spirit of Texas reigns,
With its thirteen days of glory.
Now the swirling smoke spirals toward the sky,
Above the gallant Texans below,
Giving birth to that infamous battle cry,
REMEMBER THE ALAMO!
© Ol’ Jim Cathey
Join us at First Baptist Church Marlin for worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
God bless the defenders of the Alamo and God Bless America!
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