Tomorrow in Texas history, Mrs. Sharkey never forgot and we will not either.

Today, May 6, 2013 is the 149th anniversary of the supreme sacrifice that the Texas Brigade made in the Wilderness of Virginia.

The Army of Northern Virginia(ANV) was on the verge of being split in two by the massive attack of Hancock's and Burnside's corps along the Orange Plank Road employing 5 divisions against A. P. Hill's defense line of 2 divisions. Relentlessly the Federals pushed their way almost unopposed up the Orange Plank Road until they approached the Widow Tapp's farm - the only cleared area in the vicinity. General Lee and his staff watched nervously as A.P. Hill's Corp was disintegrating by the massive Federal assault. The situation for the ANV was critical. General Lee sent General Wilcox to hurry General Longstreet and the 1st Corps forward.

The Texas Brigade - 800 Texans and Arkansans -- in the front of Longstreet's Corps advanced at the double-quick with tattered battle flags flying and surged down the Orange Plank Road ready for action. A scene of utter confusion met their eyes as they approached the rear of A.P. Hill's fast disappearing battle line.

As General Gregg - C.O. of the Texas Brigade - was forming the Brigade in line from column-of-fours, General Lee approached General Gregg and inquired of him what troops was he commanding. "The Texas Brigade," Gregg proudly answered. " I am glad to see it!" replied Lee, adding, "When you go in there, I wish you to give those men the cold steel. They will stand and fire all day, and never move unless you charge them." Saluting General Lee, Gregg took his leave, rode to the center of the Texas Brigade and shouted: "Attention, Texas Brigade! The eyes... of General Lee... are upon you! Forward...march."

One of the most famous and dramatic incidents of the war occurred at this moment - the famous "Lee to the rear" episode. Lee removed his gray felt hat and lifting himself in the stirrups was heard to say by those soldiers nearest him, "Texans always move them!" General Lee greatly affected by the response to his words, moved through the opening in the Texas Brigade and attempted to lead the Texans as they started their advance. As General Lee urged Traveller on, several of the soldiers nearest him sprang to the front and surrounding Traveller , grabbed at the reins in an effort to stay General Lee's forward course. Words to the effect of "General Lee to the rear," "We won't move until you go back," Go back General Lee, go back," were heard.

As General Gregg advanced across the clearing of the Widow Tapp's farm, his regiments were aligned in what had become their usual battle order - the 3rd Arkansas on the left and the 1st, 4th, and 5th Texas posted in that order on the Arkansans' right.

And so the Texas Brigade crashed into the Federal infantry and thus saved the ANV from probable destruction that day - but the cost was staggering - of 800 Texas Brigade men less than half stood standing and more would die later - and the Texas Brigade after that day for all practical purposes ceased to be an effective military combat force due to their meager numbers - less than 10% of the number in the Old Brigade just three years earlier.

YES - this day was Texas' Finest Hour.

Long Remember.

The above extracted from Hood's Texas Brigade: Lee's Grenadier Guard by H.B. Simpson, 1970.

ALAMO DEFENDERS

Alabama
Buchanan, James
Fishbaugh, William
Fuqua, Galba
White, Isaac

Arkansas
Baker, Isaac G.
Thompson, Jesse G.
Warnell, Henry

Connecticut
Jennings, Gordon C.

Georgia
Grimes, Albert (Alfred) Calvin
Melton, Elice (Eliel)
Shied, Manson
Wells, William
Wills, William

Illinois
Lindley, Jonathan L.

Kentucky
Bailey, Peter James III
Bowie, James
Cloud, Daniel William
Darst, Jacob C.
Davis, John
Fauntleroy, William H.
Gaston, John E.
Harris, John
Jackson, William Daniel
Jameson, Green B.
Kellogg, John Benjamin
Kent, Andrew
Rutherford, Joseph
Thomas, B. Archer M.
Washington, Joseph G.

Louisiana
Despallier, Charles
Garrand, James W.
Kerr, Joseph
Ryan, Isaac

Maryland
Smith, Charles S.

Massachusetts
Flanders, John
Howell, William D.
Linn, William
Pollard, Amos

Mississippi
Clark, M.B.
Millsaps, Isaac
Moore, Willis A.
Pagan, George
Parker, Christopher Adams

Missouri
Baker, William Charles M.
Butler, George D.
Clark, Charles Henry
Cottle, George Washington
Day, Jerry C.
Tumlinson, George W.

New Hampshire
Cochran, Robert E.

New Jersey
Stockton, Richard Lucius

New York
Cunningham, Robert W.
Dewall, Lewis
Evans, Samuel B.
Forsyth, John Hubbard
Jones, John
Tylee, James

North Carolina
Autry, Micajah
Floyd, Dolphin Ward
Parks, William
Scurlock, Mial
Smith, Joshua G.
Thomson, John W.
Wright, Claiborne

Ohio
Harrison, William B.
Holland, Tapely
Musselman, Robert
Rose, James M.

Pennsylvania
Ballentine, John J.
Brown, James Murry
Cain (Cane), John
Crossman, Robert
Cummings, David P.
Hannum, James
Holloway, Samuel
Johnson, William
Kimble (Kimbell), George C.
McDowell, William
Reynolds, John Purdy
Thurston, John M.
Williamson, Hiram James
Wilson, John

Rhode Island
Martin, Albert

South Carolina
Bonham, James Butler
Crawford, Lemuel
Neggan, George
Nelson, Edward
Nelson, George
Simmons, Cleveland Kinloch
Travis, William Barrett

Tennessee
Bayliss, Joseph
Blair, John
Blair, Samuel C.
Bowman, Jesse B.
Campbell, James (Robert)
Crockett, David
Daymon, Squire
Dearduff, William
Dickerson (Dickinson), Almeron
Dillard, John Henry
Ewing, James L.
Garrett, James Girard
Harrison, Andrew Jackson
Haskell, Charles, M.
Hays, John M.
Marshall, William
McCoy, Jesse
McKinney, Robert
Miller, Thomas R.
Mills, William
Nelson, Andrew M.
Robertson, James Waters
Smith, Andrew H.
Summerlin, A. Spain
Summers, William E.
Taylor, Edward
Taylor, George
Taylor, James
Taylor, William
Walker, Asa
Walker, Jacob

Texas
Abamillo, Juan
Badillo, Juan Antonio
Espalier, Carlos
Esparza, Gregorio (Jose Maria)
Fuentes, Antonio
Jimenez, Damacio
King, William Phillip
Lewis, William Irvine
Lightfoot, William J.
Losoya, Jose Toribio
Nava, Andres
Perry, Richardson

Vermont
Andross, Miles Deforest

Virginia
Allen, Robert
Baugh, John J.
Carey, William R.
Garnett, William
Goodrich, John Camp
Herndon, Patrick Henry
Kenny, James
Main, George Washington
Malone, William T.
Mitchasson, Edward F.
Moore, Robert B.
Northcross, James

Denmark
Zanco, Charles

England
Blazeby, William
Bourne, Daniel
Brown, George
Dennison, Stephen (or Ireland)
Dimpkins, James R.
Gwynne, James C.
Hersee, William Daniel
Nowlan, James
Sewell, Marcus L.
Starr, Richard
Stewart, James E.
Waters, Thomas
Wolfe, Anthony (Avram)
Wolfe, son age 12
Wolfe, son age 11

Ireland
Burns, Samuel E.
Duvalt, Andrew
Evans, Robert
Hawkins, Joseph M.
Jackson, Thomas
McGee, James
Rusk, Jackson J.
Trammel, Burke
Ward, William B.

Germany
Courtman, Henry
Thomas, Henry

Scotland
Ballentine, Richard W.
McGregor, John
Robinson, Isaac
Wilson, David L.

Wales
Johnson, Lewis

Unknown Locale
Brown, Robert
Day, Freeman H.K.
Garvin, John E.
George, James
McCafferty, Edward
Mitchell, William T.
Mitchell, Napoleon B.
Roberts, Thomas H.
Smith, William H.
Sutherland, William Depriest
White, Robert
John (last name unknown)

Newly Discovered Defenders
Baxter, Joseph
Edwards, Samuel
Edwards, William
Gordon, Pelitiah
McClelland, Ross

Known Survivors
Joe, Travis' slave
Alsbury, Juana Gertrudis
Dickerson (Dickinson), Angelina Elizabeth
Dickerson (Dickinson), Susanna Wilkerson
Esparza, Anna Salazar
Esparza, Enrique
Esparza, Francisco (child)
Esparza, Manuel (child)
Esparza, Maria de Jesus Castro (child)
Gonzales, Petra
Guerrero, Brigido
Navarro, Gertrudis
Perez, Jr., Alejo Alsbury
Saucedo, Trinidad

Unproven Participants
Rose, Louis (Moses)
Villanueva, Andrea Castanon

Surviving Couriers & Foragers
Allen, James L.
Baylor, John Walker
Brown, Robert
Coy, Trinidad
Cruz y Arocha, Antonio
De La Garza, Alexandro
Desauque, Francis L.
Dimmitt (Dimitt), Phillip
Highsmith, Benjamin Franklin
Johnson, William P.
Lockhart, Byrd
Nobles, Benjamin F.
Oury, William Sanders
Patton, William Hester
Seguin, Juan Nepomuceno
Smith, John William
Smither, Launcelot
Sowell, Andrew Jackson
Sutherland, John

I want to thank ALAMO DEFENDERS DESCENDANTS ASSOCIATION for having the only page, that was readily accessible, for the names listed above, and of course, those that died this day one hundred and seventy-six years ago...

WP

Texas Independence Day!

The Unanimous Declaration of Independence made by the Delegates of the People of Texas in General Convention at the town of Washington on the 2nd day of March 1836.

When a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people, from whom its legitimate powers are derived, and for the advancement of whose happiness it was instituted, and so far from being a guarantee for the enjoyment of those inestimable and inalienable rights, becomes an instrument in the hands of evil rulers for their oppression.

When the Federal Republican Constitution of their country, which they have sworn to support, no longer has a substantial existence, and the whole nature of their government has been forcibly changed, without their consent, from a restricted federative republic, composed of sovereign states, to a consolidated central military despotism, in which every interest is disregarded but that of the army and the priesthood, both the eternal enemies of civil liberty, the everready minions of power, and the usual instruments of tyrants.

When, long after the spirit of the constitution has departed, moderation is at length so far lost by those in power, that even the semblance of freedom is removed, and the forms themselves of the constitution discontinued, and so far from their petitions and remonstrances being regarded, the agents who bear them are thrown into dungeons, and mercenary armies sent forth to force a new government upon them at the point of the bayonet.

When, in consequence of such acts of malfeasance and abdication on the part of the government, anarchy prevails, and civil society is dissolved into its original elements. In such a crisis, the first law of nature, the right of self-preservation, the inherent and inalienable rights of the people to appeal to first principles, and take their political affairs into their own hands in extreme cases, enjoins it as a right towards themselves, and a sacred obligation to their posterity, to abolish such government, and create another in its stead, calculated to rescue them from impending dangers, and to secure their future welfare and happiness.

Nations, as well as individuals, are amenable for their acts to the public opinion of mankind. A statement of a part of our grievances is therefore submitted to an impartial world, in justification of the hazardous but unavoidable step now taken, of severing our political connection with the Mexican people, and assuming an independent attitude among the nations of the earth.

The Mexican government, by its colonization laws, invited and induced the Anglo-American population of Texas to colonize its wilderness under the pledged faith of a written constitution, that they should continue to enjoy that constitutional liberty and republican government to which they had been habituated in the land of their birth, the United States of America.

In this expectation they have been cruelly disappointed, inasmuch as the Mexican nation has acquiesced in the late changes made in the government by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who having overturned the constitution of his country, now offers us the cruel alternative, either to abandon our homes, acquired by so many privations, or submit to the most intolerable of all tyranny, the combined despotism of the sword and the priesthood.

It has sacrificed our welfare to the state of Coahuila, by which our interests have been continually depressed through a jealous and partial course of legislation, carried on at a far distant seat of government, by a hostile majority, in an unknown tongue, and this too, notwithstanding we have petitioned in the humblest terms for the establishment of a separate state government, and have, in accordance with the provisions of the national constitution, presented to the general Congress a republican constitution, which was, without just cause, contemptuously rejected.

It incarcerated in a dungeon, for a long time, one of our citizens, for no other cause but a zealous endeavor to procure the acceptance of our constitution, and the establishment of a state government.

It has failed and refused to secure, on a firm basis, the right of trial by jury, that palladium of civil liberty, and only safe guarantee for the life, liberty, and property of the citizen.

It has failed to establish any public system of education, although possessed of almost boundless resources, (the public domain,) and although it is an axiom in political science, that unless a people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self government.

It has suffered the military commandants, stationed among us, to exercise arbitrary acts of oppression and tyrrany, thus trampling upon the most sacred rights of the citizens, and rendering the military superior to the civil power.

It has dissolved, by force of arms, the state Congress of Coahuila and Texas, and obliged our representatives to fly for their lives from the seat of government, thus depriving us of the fundamental political right of representation.

It has demanded the surrender of a number of our citizens, and ordered military detachments to seize and carry them into the Interior for trial, in contempt of the civil authorities, and in defiance of the laws and the constitution.

It has made piratical attacks upon our commerce, by commissioning foreign desperadoes, and authorizing them to seize our vessels, and convey the property of our citizens to far distant ports for confiscation.

It denies us the right of worshipping the Almighty according to the dictates of our own conscience, by the support of a national religion, calculated to promote the temporal interest of its human functionaries, rather than the glory of the true and living God.

It has demanded us to deliver up our arms, which are essential to our defence, the rightful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments.

It has invaded our country both by sea and by land, with intent to lay waste our territory, and drive us from our homes; and has now a large mercenary army advancing, to carry on against us a war of extermination.

It has, through its emissaries, incited the merciless savage, with the tomahawk and scalping knife, to massacre the inhabitants of our defenseless frontiers.

It hath been, during the whole time of our connection with it, the contemptible sport and victim of successive military revolutions, and hath continually exhibited every characteristic of a weak, corrupt, and tyrranical government.

These, and other grievances, were patiently borne by the people of Texas, untill they reached that point at which forbearance ceases to be a virtue. We then took up arms in defence of the national constitution. We appealed to our Mexican brethren for assistance. Our appeal has been made in vain. Though months have elapsed, no sympathetic response has yet been heard from the Interior. We are, therefore, forced to the melancholy conclusion, that the Mexican people have acquiesced in the destruction of their liberty, and the substitution therfor of a military government; that they are unfit to be free, and incapable of self government.

The necessity of self-preservation, therefore, now decrees our eternal political separation.

We, therefore, the delegates with plenary powers of the people of Texas, in solemn convention assembled, appealing to a candid world for the necessities of our condition, do hereby resolve and declare, that our political connection with the Mexican nation has forever ended, and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, Sovereign, and independent republic, and are fully invested with all the rights and attributes which properly belong to independent nations; and, conscious of the rectitude of our intentions, we fearlessly and confidently commit the issue to the decision of the Supreme arbiter of the destinies of nations.

Richard Ellis, President of the Convention and Delegate from Red River.
Charles B. Stewart
Tho. Barnett
John S. D. Byrom
Francis Ruis
J. Antonio Navarro
Jesse B. Badgett
Wm D. Lacy
William Menifee
Jn. Fisher
Matthew Caldwell
William Motley
Lorenzo de Zavala
Stephen H. Everett
George W. Smyth
Elijah Stapp
Claiborne West
Wm. B. Scates
M. B. Menard
A. B. Hardin
J. W. Burton
Thos. J. Gazley
R. M. Coleman
Sterling C. Robertson
James Collinsworth
Edwin Waller
Asa Brigham
Geo. C. Childress
Bailey Hardeman
Rob. Potter
Thomas Jefferson Rusk
Chas. S. Taylor
John S. Roberts
Robert Hamilton
Collin McKinney
Albert H. Latimer
James Power
Sam Houston
David Thomas
Edwd. Conrad
Martin Palmer
Edwin O. Legrand
Stephen W. Blount
Jms. Gaines
Wm. Clark, Jr.
Sydney O. Pennington
Wm. Carrol Crawford
Jno. Turner
Benj. Briggs Goodrich
G. W. Barnett
James G. Swisher
Jesse Grimes
S. Rhoads Fisher
John W. Moore
John W. Bower
Saml. A. Maverick (from Bejar)
Sam P. Carson
A. Briscoe
J. B. Woods
H. S. Kimble, Secretary

Twenty Years Ago

To start, five deaths were scored by the ferals, four by the Texans. Pretty good considering the Branch Davidians were attacked by 76 Jackbooted Thugs.

--WP

To Major-General Sam Houston
February 25, 1836

HEADQUARTERS, FORT OF THE ALAMO: Sir; On the 23rd of Feb., the enemy in large force entered the city of Bexar, which could not be prevented, as I had not sufficient force to occupy both positions. Col. Bartes, the Adjutant-Major of the President-General Santa Anna, demanded a surrender at discretion, calling us foreign rebels. I answered them with a cannon shot, upon which the enemy commenced a bombardment with a five inch howitzer, which together with a heavy cannonade, has been kept up incessantly ever since. I instantly sent express to Col. Fannin, at Goliad, and to the people of Gonzales and San Felipe. Today at 10 o'clock a.m. some two or three hundred Mexicans crossed the river below and came up under cover of the houses until they arrived within virtual point blank shot, when we opened a heavy discharge of grape and canister on them, together with a well directed fire from small arms which forced them to halt and take shelter in the houses about 90 or 100 yards from our batteries. The action continued to rage about two hours, when the enemy retreated in confusion, dragging many of their dead and wounded.

During the action, the enemy kept up a constant bombardment and discharge of balls, grape, and canister. We know from actual observation that many of the enemy were wounded -- while we, on our part, have not lost a man. Two or three of our men have been slightly scratched by pieces of rock, but have not been disabled. I take great pleasure in stating that both officers and men conducted themselves with firmness and bravery. Lieutenant Simmons of cavalry acting as infantry, and Captains Carey, Dickinson and Blair of the artillery, rendered essential service, and Charles Despallier and Robert Brown gallantly sallied out and set fire to houses which afforded the enemy shelter, in the face of enemy fire. Indeed, the whole of the men who were brought into action conducted themselves with such heroism that it would be injustice to discriminate. The Hon. David Crockett was seen at all points, animating the men to do their duty. Our numbers are few and the enemy still continues to approximate his works to ours. I have every reason to apprehend an attack from his whole force very soon; but I shall hold out to the last extremity, hoping to secure reinforcements in a day or two. Do hasten on aid to me as rapidly as possible, as from the superior number of the enemy, it will be impossible for us to keep them out much longer. If they overpower us, we fall a sacrifice at the shrine of our country, and we hope prosperity and our country will do our memory justice. Give me help, oh my country! Victory or Death!

W. Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Com

To The People of Texas and
All Americans In The World --
February 24, 1836

Fellow citizens & compatriots --

I am beseiged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna -- I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man -- The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken -- I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls -- I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch -- The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country --

VICTORY OR DEATH

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt.

P.S. The Lord is on our side -- When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn -- We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves -- Travis

To Andrew Ponton, Judge and Citizens of Gonzales
February 23, 1836

COMMANDANCY OF BEXAR, 3 o'clock p.m.: The enemy in large force are in sight. We want men and provisions. Send them to us. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the Alamo to the last. Give us assistance.

P.S. Send an express to San Felipe with news night and day.

From W.B. Travis and James Bowie
To James W. Fannin (at Goliad)
February 23, 1836

COMMANDANCY OF BEXAR: We have removed all the men to the Alamo where we make such resistance as is due our honor, and that of a country, until we can get assistance from you, which we expect you to forward immediately. In this extremity, we hope you will send us all the men you can spare promptly. We have one hundred and forty six men, who are determined never to retreat. We have but little provisions, but enough to serve us till you and your men arrive. We deem it unnecessary to repeat to a brave officer, who knows his duty, that we call on him for assistance.

A proper thank you is due to No-Neck who suggested this last year.

WP

Today, February 23rd.

The man who made it possible, for we the masses to strip the Church of it's monopoly, Johnnas Guttenberg died in 1468.

In 1847, General Zachary Taylor defeats Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista.

A flag was raised in 1945, by the United States Marines who took the crest of Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima.

However, the most important of all occurred in 1836 as Texans gathered in the Alamo, Travis dispatched a hastily scribbled missive to Gonzales:

"The enemy in large force is in sight. We want men and provisions. Send them to us. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the garrison to the last."

WP

James D. Nicholson - Year Five

Even though it has only become worse, you are not forgotten Sir and know my glass and others are raised in your honor today.

WP

A candidate who understands Gunwalker.

Jessica Puente Bradshaw, Republican Candidate in the Texas CD34 runoff, understands Gunwalker and a whole lot more.

WP

New Mexico Cancels MOST CHL Reciprocity Agreements.

According to the Texas State Rifle Association, here is the reason:

"This stems from a new and different interpretation by NM DPS of that state's reciprocity law, which requires other states' concealed carry statutes to be as stringent as, or substantially similar to, New Mexico law."

The only thing I can think of is that there must be a new anti-gunner as of the head of the NM DPS- or one playing politics.

You can OPEN CARRY in New Mexico, but has anyone heard a logical reason as to why this has happened?

WP

UPDATE 05022012

If you hit the NM DPS page today, everything has changed and NOW the reciprocity agreements are back in effect. Keep calling!

"Your papers, please!"

Big Sis Launches Undercover TSA Spies To Ride Houston Buses

Feds to watch for suspicious activity, pre-crime criminal behavior

Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

A new program in Houston will place undercover TSA agents and police officers on buses whose job it will be to perform bag searches, watch for "suspicious activity" and interrogate passengers in order to 'curb crime and terrorism'.

Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee unveiled the program, labeled Bus Safe, during a press conference on Friday. According to a Metropolitan Transit Authority of Houston (METRO) press release, agencies involved in the scheme will, "ride buses, perform random bag checks, and conduct K-9 sweeps, as well as place uniformed and plainclothes officers at Transit Centers and rail platforms to detect, prevent and address latent criminal activity or behavior."

"While local law enforcement agencies focus on overall safety measures noted above, representatives with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will also be on hand, lending their counter-terrorism expertise and support during the exercise," states the press release.

"If you think you're going to be a bad actor on buses, get ready. You are going to have a short-lived time frame," Jackson Lee said during the press conference. The Congresswoman is a staunch advocate of the TSA, having recently chastised the passage of a new law that allows airports to evict TSA agents and replace them with private screeners by claiming it would lead to a new 9/11-style attack.

While reading the article- just remember this:



WP

The Alamo - Tex Ritter

The late Mr. Sharkey sent this along a few years ago, in honor of today and now is a yearly post!

WP

Remember the Alamo! March 6th, 1836

ALAMO DEFENDERS

Alabama
Buchanan, James
Fishbaugh, William
Fuqua, Galba
White, Isaac

Arkansas
Baker, Isaac G.
Thompson, Jesse G.
Warnell, Henry

Connecticut
Jennings, Gordon C.

Georgia
Grimes, Albert (Alfred) Calvin
Melton, Elice (Eliel)
Shied, Manson
Wells, William
Wills, William

Illinois
Lindley, Jonathan L.

Kentucky
Bailey, Peter James III
Bowie, James
Cloud, Daniel William
Darst, Jacob C.
Davis, John
Fauntleroy, William H.
Gaston, John E.
Harris, John
Jackson, William Daniel
Jameson, Green B.
Kellogg, John Benjamin
Kent, Andrew
Rutherford, Joseph
Thomas, B. Archer M.
Washington, Joseph G.

Louisiana
Despallier, Charles
Garrand, James W.
Kerr, Joseph
Ryan, Isaac

Maryland
Smith, Charles S.

Massachusetts
Flanders, John
Howell, William D.
Linn, William
Pollard, Amos

Mississippi
Clark, M.B.
Millsaps, Isaac
Moore, Willis A.
Pagan, George
Parker, Christopher Adams

Missouri
Baker, William Charles M.
Butler, George D.
Clark, Charles Henry
Cottle, George Washington
Day, Jerry C.
Tumlinson, George W.

New Hampshire
Cochran, Robert E.

New Jersey
Stockton, Richard Lucius

New York
Cunningham, Robert W.
Dewall, Lewis
Evans, Samuel B.
Forsyth, John Hubbard
Jones, John
Tylee, James

North Carolina
Autry, Micajah
Floyd, Dolphin Ward
Parks, William
Scurlock, Mial
Smith, Joshua G.
Thomson, John W.
Wright, Claiborne

Ohio
Harrison, William B.
Holland, Tapely
Musselman, Robert
Rose, James M.

Pennsylvania
Ballentine, John J.
Brown, James Murry
Cain (Cane), John
Crossman, Robert
Cummings, David P.
Hannum, James
Holloway, Samuel
Johnson, William
Kimble (Kimbell), George C.
McDowell, William
Reynolds, John Purdy
Thurston, John M.
Williamson, Hiram James
Wilson, John

Rhode Island
Martin, Albert

South Carolina
Bonham, James Butler
Crawford, Lemuel
Neggan, George
Nelson, Edward
Nelson, George
Simmons, Cleveland Kinloch
Travis, William Barrett

Tennessee
Bayliss, Joseph
Blair, John
Blair, Samuel C.
Bowman, Jesse B.
Campbell, James (Robert)
Crockett, David
Daymon, Squire
Dearduff, William
Dickerson (Dickinson), Almeron
Dillard, John Henry
Ewing, James L.
Garrett, James Girard
Harrison, Andrew Jackson
Haskell, Charles, M.
Hays, John M.
Marshall, William
McCoy, Jesse
McKinney, Robert
Miller, Thomas R.
Mills, William
Nelson, Andrew M.
Robertson, James Waters
Smith, Andrew H.
Summerlin, A. Spain
Summers, William E.
Taylor, Edward
Taylor, George
Taylor, James
Taylor, William
Walker, Asa
Walker, Jacob

Texas
Abamillo, Juan
Badillo, Juan Antonio
Espalier, Carlos
Esparza, Gregorio (Jose Maria)
Fuentes, Antonio
Jimenez, Damacio
King, William Phillip
Lewis, William Irvine
Lightfoot, William J.
Losoya, Jose Toribio
Nava, Andres
Perry, Richardson

Vermont
Andross, Miles Deforest

Virginia
Allen, Robert
Baugh, John J.
Carey, William R.
Garnett, William
Goodrich, John Camp
Herndon, Patrick Henry
Kenny, James
Main, George Washington
Malone, William T.
Mitchasson, Edward F.
Moore, Robert B.
Northcross, James

Denmark
Zanco, Charles

England
Blazeby, William
Bourne, Daniel
Brown, George
Dennison, Stephen (or Ireland)
Dimpkins, James R.
Gwynne, James C.
Hersee, William Daniel
Nowlan, James
Sewell, Marcus L.
Starr, Richard
Stewart, James E.
Waters, Thomas
Wolfe, Anthony (Avram)
Wolfe, son age 12
Wolfe, son age 11

Ireland
Burns, Samuel E.
Duvalt, Andrew
Evans, Robert
Hawkins, Joseph M.
Jackson, Thomas
McGee, James
Rusk, Jackson J.
Trammel, Burke
Ward, William B.

Germany
Courtman, Henry
Thomas, Henry

Scotland
Ballentine, Richard W.
McGregor, John
Robinson, Isaac
Wilson, David L.

Wales
Johnson, Lewis

Unknown Locale
Brown, Robert
Day, Freeman H.K.
Garvin, John E.
George, James
McCafferty, Edward
Mitchell, William T.
Mitchell, Napoleon B.
Roberts, Thomas H.
Smith, William H.
Sutherland, William Depriest
White, Robert
John (last name unknown)

Newly Discovered Defenders
Baxter, Joseph
Edwards, Samuel
Edwards, William
Gordon, Pelitiah
McClelland, Ross

Known Survivors
Joe, Travis' slave
Alsbury, Juana Gertrudis
Dickerson (Dickinson), Angelina Elizabeth
Dickerson (Dickinson), Susanna Wilkerson
Esparza, Anna Salazar
Esparza, Enrique
Esparza, Francisco (child)
Esparza, Manuel (child)
Esparza, Maria de Jesus Castro (child)
Gonzales, Petra
Guerrero, Brigido
Navarro, Gertrudis
Perez, Jr., Alejo Alsbury
Saucedo, Trinidad

Unproven Participants
Rose, Louis (Moses)
Villanueva, Andrea Castanon

Surviving Couriers & Foragers
Allen, James L.
Baylor, John Walker
Brown, Robert
Coy, Trinidad
Cruz y Arocha, Antonio
De La Garza, Alexandro
Desauque, Francis L.
Dimmitt (Dimitt), Phillip
Highsmith, Benjamin Franklin
Johnson, William P.
Lockhart, Byrd
Nobles, Benjamin F.
Oury, William Sanders
Patton, William Hester
Seguin, Juan Nepomuceno
Smith, John William
Smither, Launcelot
Sowell, Andrew Jackson
Sutherland, John

I want to thank ALAMO DEFENDERS DESCENDANTS ASSOCIATION for having the only page, that was readily accessible, for the names listed above, and of course, those that died this day one hundred and seventy-six years ago...

WP

Texas Independence Day!

The Unanimous Declaration of Independence made by the Delegates of the People of Texas in General Convention at the town of Washington on the 2nd day of March 1836.

When a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people, from whom its legitimate powers are derived, and for the advancement of whose happiness it was instituted, and so far from being a guarantee for the enjoyment of those inestimable and inalienable rights, becomes an instrument in the hands of evil rulers for their oppression.

When the Federal Republican Constitution of their country, which they have sworn to support, no longer has a substantial existence, and the whole nature of their government has been forcibly changed, without their consent, from a restricted federative republic, composed of sovereign states, to a consolidated central military despotism, in which every interest is disregarded but that of the army and the priesthood, both the eternal enemies of civil liberty, the everready minions of power, and the usual instruments of tyrants.

When, long after the spirit of the constitution has departed, moderation is at length so far lost by those in power, that even the semblance of freedom is removed, and the forms themselves of the constitution discontinued, and so far from their petitions and remonstrances being regarded, the agents who bear them are thrown into dungeons, and mercenary armies sent forth to force a new government upon them at the point of the bayonet.

When, in consequence of such acts of malfeasance and abdication on the part of the government, anarchy prevails, and civil society is dissolved into its original elements. In such a crisis, the first law of nature, the right of self-preservation, the inherent and inalienable rights of the people to appeal to first principles, and take their political affairs into their own hands in extreme cases, enjoins it as a right towards themselves, and a sacred obligation to their posterity, to abolish such government, and create another in its stead, calculated to rescue them from impending dangers, and to secure their future welfare and happiness.

Nations, as well as individuals, are amenable for their acts to the public opinion of mankind. A statement of a part of our grievances is therefore submitted to an impartial world, in justification of the hazardous but unavoidable step now taken, of severing our political connection with the Mexican people, and assuming an independent attitude among the nations of the earth.

The Mexican government, by its colonization laws, invited and induced the Anglo-American population of Texas to colonize its wilderness under the pledged faith of a written constitution, that they should continue to enjoy that constitutional liberty and republican government to which they had been habituated in the land of their birth, the United States of America.

In this expectation they have been cruelly disappointed, inasmuch as the Mexican nation has acquiesced in the late changes made in the government by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who having overturned the constitution of his country, now offers us the cruel alternative, either to abandon our homes, acquired by so many privations, or submit to the most intolerable of all tyranny, the combined despotism of the sword and the priesthood.

It has sacrificed our welfare to the state of Coahuila, by which our interests have been continually depressed through a jealous and partial course of legislation, carried on at a far distant seat of government, by a hostile majority, in an unknown tongue, and this too, notwithstanding we have petitioned in the humblest terms for the establishment of a separate state government, and have, in accordance with the provisions of the national constitution, presented to the general Congress a republican constitution, which was, without just cause, contemptuously rejected.

It incarcerated in a dungeon, for a long time, one of our citizens, for no other cause but a zealous endeavor to procure the acceptance of our constitution, and the establishment of a state government.

It has failed and refused to secure, on a firm basis, the right of trial by jury, that palladium of civil liberty, and only safe guarantee for the life, liberty, and property of the citizen.

It has failed to establish any public system of education, although possessed of almost boundless resources, (the public domain,) and although it is an axiom in political science, that unless a people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self government.

It has suffered the military commandants, stationed among us, to exercise arbitrary acts of oppression and tyrrany, thus trampling upon the most sacred rights of the citizens, and rendering the military superior to the civil power.

It has dissolved, by force of arms, the state Congress of Coahuila and Texas, and obliged our representatives to fly for their lives from the seat of government, thus depriving us of the fundamental political right of representation.

It has demanded the surrender of a number of our citizens, and ordered military detachments to seize and carry them into the Interior for trial, in contempt of the civil authorities, and in defiance of the laws and the constitution.

It has made piratical attacks upon our commerce, by commissioning foreign desperadoes, and authorizing them to seize our vessels, and convey the property of our citizens to far distant ports for confiscation.

It denies us the right of worshipping the Almighty according to the dictates of our own conscience, by the support of a national religion, calculated to promote the temporal interest of its human functionaries, rather than the glory of the true and living God.

It has demanded us to deliver up our arms, which are essential to our defence, the rightful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments.

It has invaded our country both by sea and by land, with intent to lay waste our territory, and drive us from our homes; and has now a large mercenary army advancing, to carry on against us a war of extermination.

It has, through its emissaries, incited the merciless savage, with the tomahawk and scalping knife, to massacre the inhabitants of our defenseless frontiers.

It hath been, during the whole time of our connection with it, the contemptible sport and victim of successive military revolutions, and hath continually exhibited every characteristic of a weak, corrupt, and tyrranical government.

These, and other grievances, were patiently borne by the people of Texas, untill they reached that point at which forbearance ceases to be a virtue. We then took up arms in defence of the national constitution. We appealed to our Mexican brethren for assistance. Our appeal has been made in vain. Though months have elapsed, no sympathetic response has yet been heard from the Interior. We are, therefore, forced to the melancholy conclusion, that the Mexican people have acquiesced in the destruction of their liberty, and the substitution therfor of a military government; that they are unfit to be free, and incapable of self government.

The necessity of self-preservation, therefore, now decrees our eternal political separation.

We, therefore, the delegates with plenary powers of the people of Texas, in solemn convention assembled, appealing to a candid world for the necessities of our condition, do hereby resolve and declare, that our political connection with the Mexican nation has forever ended, and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, Sovereign, and independent republic, and are fully invested with all the rights and attributes which properly belong to independent nations; and, conscious of the rectitude of our intentions, we fearlessly and confidently commit the issue to the decision of the Supreme arbiter of the destinies of nations.

Richard Ellis, President of the Convention and Delegate from Red River.
Charles B. Stewart
Tho. Barnett
John S. D. Byrom
Francis Ruis
J. Antonio Navarro
Jesse B. Badgett
Wm D. Lacy
William Menifee
Jn. Fisher
Matthew Caldwell
William Motley
Lorenzo de Zavala
Stephen H. Everett
George W. Smyth
Elijah Stapp
Claiborne West
Wm. B. Scates
M. B. Menard
A. B. Hardin
J. W. Burton
Thos. J. Gazley
R. M. Coleman
Sterling C. Robertson
James Collinsworth
Edwin Waller
Asa Brigham
Geo. C. Childress
Bailey Hardeman
Rob. Potter
Thomas Jefferson Rusk
Chas. S. Taylor
John S. Roberts
Robert Hamilton
Collin McKinney
Albert H. Latimer
James Power
Sam Houston
David Thomas
Edwd. Conrad
Martin Palmer
Edwin O. Legrand
Stephen W. Blount
Jms. Gaines
Wm. Clark, Jr.
Sydney O. Pennington
Wm. Carrol Crawford
Jno. Turner
Benj. Briggs Goodrich
G. W. Barnett
James G. Swisher
Jesse Grimes
S. Rhoads Fisher
John W. Moore
John W. Bower
Saml. A. Maverick (from Bejar)
Sam P. Carson
A. Briscoe
J. B. Woods
H. S. Kimble, Secretary

Nineteen years ago today.

To start- five deaths were scored by the ferals...

--WP

William Barret Travis - Alamo Letters (February 25th)

To Major-General Sam Houston
February 25, 1836

HEADQUARTERS, FORT OF THE ALAMO: Sir; On the 23rd of Feb., the enemy in large force entered the city of Bexar, which could not be prevented, as I had not sufficient force to occupy both positions. Col. Bartes, the Adjutant-Major of the President-General Santa Anna, demanded a surrender at discretion, calling us foreign rebels. I answered them with a cannon shot, upon which the enemy commenced a bombardment with a five inch howitzer, which together with a heavy cannonade, has been kept up incessantly ever since. I instantly sent express to Col. Fannin, at Goliad, and to the people of Gonzales and San Felipe. Today at 10 o'clock a.m. some two or three hundred Mexicans crossed the river below and came up under cover of the houses until they arrived within virtual point blank shot, when we opened a heavy discharge of grape and canister on them, together with a well directed fire from small arms which forced them to halt and take shelter in the houses about 90 or 100 yards from our batteries. The action continued to rage about two hours, when the enemy retreated in confusion, dragging many of their dead and wounded.

During the action, the enemy kept up a constant bombardment and discharge of balls, grape, and canister. We know from actual observation that many of the enemy were wounded -- while we, on our part, have not lost a man. Two or three of our men have been slightly scratched by pieces of rock, but have not been disabled. I take great pleasure in stating that both officers and men conducted themselves with firmness and bravery. Lieutenant Simmons of cavalry acting as infantry, and Captains Carey, Dickinson and Blair of the artillery, rendered essential service, and Charles Despallier and Robert Brown gallantly sallied out and set fire to houses which afforded the enemy shelter, in the face of enemy fire. Indeed, the whole of the men who were brought into action conducted themselves with such heroism that it would be injustice to discriminate. The Hon. David Crockett was seen at all points, animating the men to do their duty. Our numbers are few and the enemy still continues to approximate his works to ours. I have every reason to apprehend an attack from his whole force very soon; but I shall hold out to the last extremity, hoping to secure reinforcements in a day or two. Do hasten on aid to me as rapidly as possible, as from the superior number of the enemy, it will be impossible for us to keep them out much longer. If they overpower us, we fall a sacrifice at the shrine of our country, and we hope prosperity and our country will do our memory justice. Give me help, oh my country! Victory or Death!

W. Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Com

William Barret Travis - Alamo Letters (February 24th)

To The People of Texas and
All Americans In The World --
February 24, 1836

Fellow citizens & compatriots --

I am beseiged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna -- I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man -- The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken -- I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls -- I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch -- The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country --

VICTORY OR DEATH

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt.

P.S. The Lord is on our side -- When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn -- We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves -- Travis

William Barret Travis - Alamo Letters (February 23rd)

To Andrew Ponton, Judge and Citizens of Gonzales
February 23, 1836

COMMANDANCY OF BEXAR, 3 o'clock p.m.: The enemy in large force are in sight. We want men and provisions. Send them to us. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the Alamo to the last. Give us assistance.

P.S. Send an express to San Felipe with news night and day.

From W.B. Travis and James Bowie
To James W. Fannin (at Goliad)
February 23, 1836

COMMANDANCY OF BEXAR: We have removed all the men to the Alamo where we make such resistance as is due our honor, and that of a country, until we can get assistance from you, which we expect you to forward immediately. In this extremity, we hope you will send us all the men you can spare promptly. We have one hundred and forty six men, who are determined never to retreat. We have but little provisions, but enough to serve us till you and your men arrive. We deem it unnecessary to repeat to a brave officer, who knows his duty, that we call on him for assistance.

A proper thank you is due to No-Neck who suggested this last year.

WP

Today, February 23rd.

The man who made it possible, for we the masses to strip the Church of it's monopoly, Johnnas Guttenberg died in 1468.

In 1847, General Zachary Taylor defeats Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista.

A flag was raised in 1945, by the United States Marines who took the crest of Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima.

However, the most important of all occurred in 1836 as Texans gathered in the Alamo, Travis dispatched a hastily scribbled missive to Gonzales:

"The enemy in large force is in sight. We want men and provisions. Send them to us. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the garrison to the last."

WP