Once upon a time in Texas by Mable Cash 4-25- 2008

Climbing the wooden stairway in the old County Courthouse in Centerville to the restored courtroom was like an adventure into the past. It is April 21, 2008, the anniversary date of the Battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836. Remembering 900 Texans, fighting for liberty from Mexico against Mexican troops that numbered 1200, were victorious and freedom for Texas was the prize!

This celebration was hosted by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Fort Boggy Chapter, honoring all those who contributed to the independence of Texas. Nick Watson spoke of the cost of freedom, the commitment required to retain it and the reason why all Texans should appreciate the liberties we enjoy. Accompanied by his guitar, he sang a ballad, “The Siege of the Alamo.” Mr. David Hanover, Secretary General of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, shared with us a portion of “General Houston’s Official Report of the Battle of San Jacinto.” The following is a brief report in remembrance of this momentous event in our Texas history.

Early settlers in Texas had agreed to honor the Mexican Constitution of 1824. The rights and privileges agreed to in this document were important to the Texans. When Santa Anna ignored these rights the Texas Revolution began as people in Texas tried to defend the Mexican Constitution of 1824. Changes were taking place as thousands of Americans poured into Texas. Meanwhile, Santa Anna was becoming an absolute ruler with complete power. It is certain, that on March 6, 1836, more than 180 Texans were willing to stand and die for the rights they held under the constitution. Santa Anna sent tax collectors, accompanied by Mexican troops into Texas.

Stephen F. Austin, after 2 years of Mexican imprisonment, returns to Texas, advising all Texans to stand against the dictatorship of Santa Anna and prepare for the oncoming troops of General Cos. Texans challenged the Mexican military at Gonzales. Texans realized that they were in a war for freedom.

From November 1835 until March 1836 there was some confusion in the provisional government of Texas. A new convention was scheduled to meet on March 1, 1836. (They thought they had plenty of time to prepare for the upcoming war.) But Santa Anna crossed the Rio Grande in early February of 1836 and heading for San Antonio with his army…..

Santa Anna thought his victory at the Alamo would convince all other Texans that he and his troops could not be defeated. Instead it proved to be an inspiration for fighting Texans. March 2, 1836 when Texas Independence was declared, the vote in favor of this declaration was unanimous! As fighting for independence continued, Sam Houston was trying to organize an army that was short on troops, guns, ammunition, supplies and money. Meanwhile, his scout, Deaf Smith informed him that Santa Anna along with 1000 soldiers were heading toward the makeshift Texas Army at Gonzales. Houston ordered a retreat. All supplies were removed and on March 12, 1836, Houston burned Gonzales to the ground. Settlers fled eastward for about five weeks. With news of defeats coming in regularly, Houston’s troops pressed to stand and fight. Confiding in no one, Houston moved his small army eastward toward the Brazos River. He led his men to Groce’s Crossing, near Hempstead. Here they camped and for two weeks, he intensely drilled his troops and taught them military strategy. He created a scouting unit and increased supplies and ammunitions. The Army was given two cannons which the Texans named, “Twin Sisters.” On April 14^th, the Texans Army left Groce’s Crossing and marched toward Harrisburg. The Scouting Unit reported Santa Anna’s army was encamped near Harrisburg on the San Jacinto River.

Houston moved the Texans down Buffalo Bayou and on April 20^th, camped beside the San Jacinto River in a thick grove of live oak trees. To attack the Texans, the Mexicans would have to cross an open prairie. That afternoon, there was a skirmish between small parties of Texans and Mexicans. The Twin Sisters discouraged the enemy’s advancement and Santa Anna pulled his forces back.

April 21, 1836 at 3:00 pm, 900 Texans were ready to charge the 1,200 Mexican troops. Deaf Smith had already gone to destroy the bridge at Vince’s Bayou, cutting off any chance for Santa Anna to receive any reinforcements. As the Texans moved from the live oak grove onto the prairie, they were still out of sight from the Mexican sentries because of high ground in front of the troops. Many Mexican soldiers were taking an afternoon rest and were startled to hear Texas soldiers screaming, “Remember the Alamo,” as they came running toward them firing their weapons.

The battle lasted less than twenty minutes. The passion of the Texas patriots could not be contained nor subdued. When the shooting stopped, 630 Mexicans had been killed. Nine Texans died. Sam Houston was wounded, his ankle shattered by a musket ball. Santa Anna was found the following day, hiding in a wooded area. His life was spared to secure his acknowledgment of the independence of Texas from Mexico. The war was over. This historical victory affects every Texan. Texas exists today, in spite of overwhelming odds in an impossible situation because of the bravery of free men who were willing to fight for the cause of freedom.

The San Jacinto monument stands today, a reminder of the struggle that occurred in this place for life, liberty and the freedom we have to pursue our dreams. Remember these heroes of freedom and honor their memory. May god continue to bless Texas!

Once upon a time in Texas, by Mable Cash 4-18-08

It was Sunday morning, the wind was chilly and the water in the horse trough was not warm. Stacks of baled hay blocked some of the wind from the preacher and the candidate for baptism. About 35 people stood in a semicircle around the baptismal site, lending their quiet encouragement. A young cowboy/rancher stepped into the chilly, water-filled trough without flinching. The preacher, earnestly declaring before God and all these witnesses that this rugged man in the water had confessed himself a hopeless sinner and had received Christ as Savior. “Now he’s getting baptized, dying to his old ways and arising into the newness of life, a child of the King! I baptize you, Brother, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.” He was totally submerged and then lifted up. And all the witnesses said, “Amen!”

Then they had a celebration with music from a fiddle and some guitars. There was singing and clapping and reading of the Word. The preacher read from John chapter 8. The majority of the crowd were cattlemen and ranchers, who removed their hats, bowed and prayed for this new brother. Weathered cowpokes and prosperous ranchers dressed in their best jeans and boots were praising God for the salvation of this soul. The new “Brother” was joyously embraced and they broke bread together!

This could have been a story related and written from April 4, 1850 but it isn’t. This event happened on April 4, 2008 in Jewett, Texas at the “All Around Cowboy Church,” I was there. If you want to know more about it, call: 903-390-1410/936-348-1987.

The State was surprised and shocked when Sam Houston was immersed in the “Baptizing Hole,” in Rocky Creek, near Independence, Texas. Ever since their marriage, his wife, Margaret had been waging a gentle campaign for his soul. Although Houston’s behavior had undergone a great deal of improvement, piety was still lacking, somewhat. When a friend teased him, after the baptizing, about all his sins being washed away, Houston, recalling all his past transgressions of drinking and swearing during all the days he spent with the Cherokees, he replied.. “I hope so, but if they were all washed away, Lord help the fish below.” (This information was gleaned from “An Album of History” by James Haley, copyright 1985)

Samuel Brenner of Lubbock, Texas said, “I’ve worked around cattle all my life and I’m guessing I learned all there is to know about it. I think I can sum it all up in one thing, ‘You can’t drink coffee on a running horse!’”

Another Lubbock resident said to a traveler, “You know, last year Lubbock had an annual rainfall of 12 inches!”

The traveler replied, “Yeah, I was out there that day.”

Once upon a time in Texas, by Mable Cash April 11, 2008

Both Spain and France claimed the territory of Texas as their own, so when France sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States, some thought the Texas territory was part of the deal. Spain strongly disagreed and continued to claim the territory. When Spain gave up Florida, a line was drawn, giving Texas to Spain but only for a while. In 1810, folks living in Mexico begin fighting for their freedom from Spain. By 1821, when Mexico was victorious, the territory of Texas became a part of Mexico and a new flag waved over Texas, the Mexican flag, green, white and red bars. On the middle bar there is an eagle sitting on a cactus, holding a snake in its mouth.

This is flag number three. Mexican leaders agreed to allow Americans in to settle the new territory. Moses and Stephen F. Austin were the first impresarios! Those who purchased the land were required to follow the laws of Mexico. Things went well for a while, then the Mexican leaders wrote some new laws that the settlers of Texas considered unfair and refused to obey. When Mexican soldiers were sent to enforce the new laws, the Texans refused and this led to war! (More about this war, later) The war ended at the Battle of San Jacinto with a great victory for Texas! Under its leaders in 1836, Texas became a free country called the Republic of Texas. A new flag was designed to fly over Texas. It has a white band over a red band with a blue bar on the side. In the center of the blue bar is a white star.

This flag makes Texans proud, it is flag number four.

Texas agreed to become a part of the United States in 1846. The American flag had thirteen red and white stripes with a white star on blue for each state. Texas became the twenty eighth star on Old Glory! The beautiful flag of the Republic of Texas became the State flag. Here we have flag number five,

the United States of America.

A few years later, the US became fractural and brought about the “War between the States.” Texas was part of the Confederacy and the sixth flag flew over Texas. This confederate battle flag was red with blue stripes crossing from the corners. Thirteen white stars were placed on the blue stripes.

When the war was finished, all the States became united with the Union again.

Today, two flags proudly fly over Texas. We Texans are proud of both. People all over the world recognize these two flags, the Stars and Stripes of the USA and the Lone Star of Texas both flying at twenty feet.

Two important rivers in Texas have Spanish names. The Rio Grande, means the “Big River.” It is an international boundary. The Brazos de Dios, means, “Arms of God.” We now call this river, the Brazos. It was named by the captain of an expedition who was swept away from his party into the flooded river. Although considered lost by the party, he miraculously reached the other side unharmed! He said he came across the waters in the arms of God., thus, the “Brazos de Dios.”

I hope this information will help you to remember the six flags that have flown over our State.

Once upon a time inTexas, by Mable Cash April 4, 2008

Personally, I think it should be mandatory for students to study Texas History in all US Schools. Look how unique we are, by federal law, only Texas can fly her flag at the same height as the United States stars and stripes. Look at those wonderful flags, the stars and stripes of “Old Glory” proudly flying at 20’ and our “Lone Star” displayed at the same height! Have you ever noticed? If you have, had you ever wondered why? This privilege is permitted only to Texas because that was part of the agreement when we signed on to become a part of the United States of America. Texas was a country, the Republic of Texas, a territory over which six flags have flown.

(Please don’t tell me that you thought Six Flags over Texas was just an amusement park.)

Six different flags have flown over this territory, each claiming that it belonged to them. But there is no flag to represent those who lived on this land when the others arrived. Indian families: farmers, hunters, fishermen and traders inhabited this place we call Texas. Christopher Columbus did discover America in 1492 and he claimed this New World for Spain. Texas was discovered in 1519 by a man named Pinda, as he sailed along the Gulf of Mexico, drawing a map of the coast. He traded with Indians he met there and planted the first Spanish flag in Texas.

The flag is red and white with red lions and golden castles on it. Pinda called this land, “Amichel.” Later, more Spaniards arrived, most of them soldiers, searching for gold. The Indians had never seen white men before nor had they ever seen a horse. The Texas natives were not impressed with the white soldiers but they were really interested in the animals they rode upon!

Other nations wanted to claim a portion of this new world. France sent people to the area. The French settled in Northern Canada. There they befriended the Indians and traded with them for furs. A Frenchman named LaSalle floated down the Mississippi River and planted a French flag at the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Then France claimed all the land that drained into the mighty Mississippi River, including Texas. The king of France outfitted LaSalle with four ships laden with supplies and 400 hearty souls willing to settle a colony in this untamed land, near the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Misfortune came upon this “would be” colony. The Spanish, who also claim the territory, took one of LaSalle’s ships. Another ship wrecked and sank, A third ship turned back. Only one ship with LaSalle and the stalwart Colonists, remained to continue the journey. In 1685, he with his battered group, sailed past the mouth of the Mississippi River, finally landing at Matagorda Bay. There they built a fort, naming it Fort St. Louis to honor their king. The French flag,

white, adorned with golden lilies (fleur-de-lis) became the second to wave over Texas.

For a long time, both France and Spain claimed Texas belonged to them. Expect more info next week. Meanwhile, see if you can name the other four flags that have flown over Texas.