This Day In Texas History - February 25

[joe817]

1707 - Coahuila governor Martín de Alarcón ordered Diego Ramón, commandant of the San Juan Bautista Presidio, to undertake an expedition north of the Rio Grande. The effort was to serve several ends: to punish hostile natives who had been raiding the Coahuila and Nuevo León settlements; to obtain a new crop of neophytes for the smallpox-ravaged Rio Grande missions; and to explore the country. With authority to proceed as far as the "San Marcos" River-identified as the present-day Colorado River-Ramón marched from San Juan Bautista on March 9, 1707, with thirty-one soldiers and citizens, 150 horses, and twenty pack mules. This became known as "The Ramon Expedition".

1749 - San Ildefonso Mission was established in present day Milam County.

1836 - Travis's call for help reached Goliad. Fannin planned to leave the next day with 320 volunteers and four pieces of artillery to join Travis, calling in Chenoweth's mounted men from Copano to hold the Cibolo crossing and Captain King's company from Refugio to strengthen the Goliad garrison, now left under Ira Westover. Fannin's march to relieve Travis at Bexar. However the relief comumn ended on the banks of the San Antonio River only two miles from Fort Defiance. Wagons broke down, oxen strayed, provisions were scarce, and the anxious volunteers all insisted on going along. Fannin's men lacked shoes and clothing-many were barefooted and nearly naked, and faced a well-provisioned and trained enemy of superior numbers; Fannin's aide-de-camp, John Sowers Brooks, wrote, "we can not rationally anticipate any other result to our Quixotic expedition than total defeat."

1836 - Antonio Cruz y Arocha, Alamo defender and courier, along with Juan Seguín, was sent out of the Alamo to rally reinforcements.

1836 - Samuel Colt, of Hartford, Connecticut, patented the Colt revolver. This invention, along with windmills and barbed wire, brought order to the Great Plains. It was eventually produced in numerous models, the most famous being that of 1871. In 1839 the Republic of Texas ordered 180 of the .36 caliber holster models for the Texas Navy. The Texas Rangers gave the Colt revolver its reputation as a weapon ideally suited for mounted combat. Frederick Law Olmsted remarked that "there were probably as many revolvers in Texas as there were males."

1839 - John Rhodes King, legislator, Texas Ranger, Confederate officer, participated in forming a joint-stock company to purchase and survey land for a new town, named Seguin in honor of Juan N. Seguín. He became the first mayor of Seguin.

1800 - Jean Marie Odin was born in Hauteville, France. Odin arrived in Texas in 1840 and for the next two decades worked tirelessly; his efforts produced such outstanding results that he has been acclaimed the founder of the modern Catholic Church in Texas. In 1847 Pope Pius IX established the Diocese of Galveston, which encompassed all of Texas, and named Odin the new diocese's first ordinary.

1870 - The Howard Bill, closely resembling earlier proposals in Congress, was introduced. It called for two territories, Jefferson east of the San Antonio River, and Matagorda west of the Colorado. The remaining portion of the state should retain the name Texas and be readmitted to the Union in accordance with Reconstruction plans. The two territories were to be admitted when they were deemed ready to exercise the functions of statehood. In Texas itself, Edmund J. Davis's regime came forth in 1871 with a proposal for a four-part division into western, northern, eastern, and southern. Congress failed to take final action, however, as did the Texas legislature.

1871 - Colonel Ranald Slidell (Bad Hand) Mackenzie assumed command of the Fourth United States Cavalry at Fort Concho.

1927 - WFAA in Dallas becomes the first radio station in Texas to be come affiliated with a national network, the National Broadcasting Company.

1942 - Trinity University moved from Waxahachie to San Antonio. Trinity had opened as a Cumberland Presbyterian college in 1869 in Tehuacana and moved to Waxahachie in 1902. Forty years later, the Synod of Texas voted to accept an invitation from the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce to move the university to the Alamo City.

[joe817]

The following is a letter from Fannin to Robinson:

"Head Quarters Army of Texas Fort Defiance Goliad Feby 25, 1836. To the Actg. Govr. & Council of the Provl. Govt. of Texas. Herewith you have my account currect with the provisional Govt. of expenditures made under my authority as Agent- You also have a list of Drafts drawn on the Prov: Govt. & a list of Receipts sundry persons which will explain themselves The sum of two hundred & ten Dollars paid H. Foley will be charged to the Georgia Battalion of Volunteers, (being for articles furnished them for private purposes, to wit seventy gallons of Brandy) and will be deducted from their pay You will perceive that the amount of one Hundred Dollars is to be deducted from the pay of several officers by reference to the Memorandum of Drafts. The amt of Cash advanced to Capts. Cool, & Burke & private G. F. Leonard is in the same situation and will be deducted from their pay by the proper officer- also the amt. $15.- each from Ball & Simpson as per rects. & a/c.

I have to remark in reference to the Amt. of Two thousand (2,000) Dollars received from Gay by Col. F. W. Johnson, that before declining the appointment of agent by Col. J. he received this amount ($2,000) in the presence of Col. Wm. Pettus & Thomas F. McKinney for which he has not accounted to me or funrished a voucher or evidence of expenditure I send also the account of Capt. Jack Shackleford of the Red Rovers for settlement. Very Respectfully Your obet. Servt. J. W. Fannin Jr. Col Comt Army Texas & Agt. Provl. Govt P. S. I enclose duplicates of Drfts drawn- vouchers &c with the exception of a few expenditures made for the public service in expresses &c JWF

--I am well aware that my present movement toward Bexar is any thing but a military one. The appeal of Cols. Travis & Bowie cannot however pass unnoticed- particularly by troops now on the field Sanguine, chivalrous Volunteers- Much must be risked to relieve the besieged- If however I hear of the fall of Bexar before I reach them, I shall retire on this place & complete the fortification now in state of forwardness & prepare for a vigorous defence, waiting anxiously in any event for the arrival of reinforcements from the Interior I leave from 80 to 100 men for the present defence of this place with the expectation of a speedy reinforcement from Matagorda &c J. W. Fannin Jr."

[Addressed: ] Public Service His Excellency James W. Robinson Actg Govr. & Genl. Council Texas Washington Express
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John Sowers(one of Fannin's men at Goliad/Fort Defiance), writes the following letter to his sister:

"Fort Defiance, Goliad, Texas, Feb. 25th, 1836. My dear Sister:-From the hurry of a preparation to march, I have stolen a moment to write to you. An express from San Antonio de Bexar received here a few moments since, with intelligence that the Mexican Army under Santa Ana, were in sight of that place and preparing to attack it. He heard the firing of cannon after he had gained some distance towards us. He estimated their strength at from three to five thousand men. Bexar has a garrison of 156. They have retired to the Alamo, determined to hold out to the last and have solicited reinforcements from us. We have 420 men here, and have been engaged in repairing the Fort, and mounting artillery. Commanding Officer, in the field, Gen. Fannin, has made Goliad his Head Quarters, from the conviction of its importance, as being advantageously located for a depot of reinforcements, clothing, provisions and military stores. It commands the sea coast particularly, Aransas and Matagorda Bays,and consequently the only convenient landings for vessels of any tonnage. The only troops in the held at this time are volunteers from the United States, and they probably do not exceed 800, and perhaps but one third of them are near the scene of action. He was therefore compelled to remain in this place in order to prepare it as a depot, and to forward provisions, et cetra. From the want of cavalry, we have been unable to obtain any accurate information of the enemy's movements. Thus Bexar has been left exposed and the Mexicans availing themselves of the advantages thus unavoidably offered them, have marched against it with all their force. With a forlorne hope of 320 men, we will start tonight or tomorrow morning at the dawn of day in order to relieve the gallant little garrison, who have so nobly resolved to sustain themselves until our arrival.

Our force is small compared with that of the enemy. It is a desperate resort, but we hope the God of Battles will be with us-that victory will again perch on the bright little banner of Texian liberty and that the civic militia, now aroused to a sense of their danger and the proximity of their implacable and mercenary foe, will appear in their strength, that the young lion will arise in the majesty of his untried strength and our youthful Republic make herself worthy of the high destiny at which she aims. If by forced marches we can reach Bexar, a distance of more than a hundred miles, and cut our way through the enemy's lines to our friends in the Fort, our united force thus advantageously posted, may perhaps be sufficient to hold out until the militia can be collected to reinforce us. If the militia doe not rendovous promptly, I apprehend much. But the sin be upon their own heads. We have resolved to do our duty and to perish under the walls of the Alamo, if stern necessity requires it. We are but poorly prepared to meet the formidable host of Mexicans, arrayed against us.

I am now acting aid-de-camp to the Comander in chief, having resigned my appointment of the Adjutancy to the 1st Regiment. I have also been acting as chief engineer to the post and but for this occurrence, would have had it in a tolerable state of defense in a short time. The ordnance and magazine were also placed under my charge. From this circumstance, you will readily and rationally infer, that there are but few professional soldiers here, when one of my age with but few months experience has so many important trusts confided to him. My duties have been arduous in the extreme, having besides the above appointments, frequently to drill the Regiment and companies, and this must be my excuse for not having written home as often as I might have done otherwise. By the way, I have not heard from home either by letter or otherwise since I left New York. Why have you not written?

And now my dear sister, I would ask you to took upon my situation in its proper light, and to indulge in no unnecessary fears. I am a soldier both morrally and physically. Death is one of the chances of the game I play and if it falls to my lot, I shall not murmur, and you should not regret. I shall write to you as soon as some thing decissive occurs. We shall probably be attacked by the Mexicans on our way to Bexar, and if I should die, my services will entitle me to 1800 or more acres of land which will be valuable. It will revert to my representatives, and father should claim it. Tell him I owe Mr. Hagerty in N. Y. and a portion of it can be applied to the discharge of that debt. We will take with us, four peices of artillery, two sixes and two fours.-Now is the time for the people of the U.S. to do some thing for Texas. Can nothing be done in Staunton?

Give my love to all the family, tell mother to remember me, and tell them all to write to me. They are calling for me now. In the greatest haste, Ever your brother, John Sowers Brooks To Miss Mary Ann Brooks"
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Sowers also writes to his Father:
"Fort Defiance, Goliad, Texas, Feb. 25th, 1836, 10 P'M' My dear Father: I wrote to Mary Ann today, and as the Express does not leave before reveille tomorrow, I thought that I might profitably employ the few moments I have obtained in writing to you, for it is possible I may never have another opportunity. In my letter, I gave a hasty detail of our intended movements and the causes which produced them and I would refer you to it, if it has reached its destination. From information received since the letter above referred to, was written, we are induced to believe that the Mexican force at and near San Antonio de Bexar does not exceed 3000. The Garrison which has been withdrawn from the town to the Alamo, a Fort in the suburbs, consists in 156 men. They are resolute and have determined to die in the ditch rather than dishonor themselves, the cause they have espoused, or the Country they represent.

We will march at the dawn of day tomorrow with 320 men, and 4 pieces of artillery,---2 sixes and 2 fours. We have no provisions scarcely, and many of us are naked and entirely destitute of shoes. But something must be done to relieve our Country. We have suffered much and may reasonably anticipate much greater suffering. But if we succeed in reaching Bexar, before the Garrison is compelled to surrender and are successful in taking the place and its gallant defenders, we shall deem ourselves amply repaid for our trials and hardships. But if we fail, I fear that our misfortunes will have an unhappy influence in prolonging the struggle in which poor Texas is engaged. We will leave a Garrison of 100 men with the hope that a portion of the Civic Militia who are embodying will be ordered here, and the remainder sent to reinforce us. If we are successful, it will prove a check to the Mexican army from which it will not readily recover and which will ever after have a salutary influence upon our cause. But my dear Father, I frankly confess that without the interposition of Providence, we can not rationally anticipate any other result to our Quixotic expedition than total defeat. If the Militia assemble, and move promptly to our aid, we may be saved. We have less than 350 men; the force of the enemy is possibly 3000-a vast disparity. We are almost naked and without provisions and very little ammunition. We are undisciplined in a great measure; they are regulars, the elite of Santa Ana's army; well fed, well clothed, and well appointed and accompanied by a formidable battery of heavy field and battering pieces. We have a few pieces but no experienced artillerists and but a few rounds of fixed amunition, and perhaps less of loose powder and balls. We can not therefore, calculate very sanguinely upon victory. However, we will do our best, and if we perish, Texas and our friends will remember that we have done our duty.

In my letter to sister, I alluded to the possibility of my death, not with a view to elicit hers or your sympathy, or to excite any unpleasant feelings in my behalf. I owe Mr. Hagarty a small sum he furnished me and am desirous of pointing out some mode by which it may be repaid, if I should be unfortunate enough to fall. My services here will entitle me to 1800 or more acres of land. It will revert to my legal representatives, and I hope you will claim it and appropriate a sufficient portion of it to that purpose. From our information, we are induced to apprehend an attack on our march to Bexar, by a detachment of the enemy's cavalry. We hope they will not be in sufficient force to retard our march, much less defeat us. I am at present acting Aid de Camp to the Commander-inChief and Chief Engineer of the post and master or ordnance. It is getting late, I slept but little last night and as we must march soon in the morning, I beg you will excuse this hasty scrawl.

Give my love to mother, Norborne, Mary Ann, Hannah, Henrietta and to Richard and his family. My health is good. Farewell! Your affectionate son, John Sowers Brooks. P.S. I have not heard from home since I left. Direct your letters to the care of J. W. Fannin, Jr., Army of Texas, pay the postage to New Orleans. I have no money. I should like to have Brooks.

Do not fail to write me immediately, and send me some money if possible. I am very much in want of it, I assure you. The Government has obtained a loan and will soon pay us off-when I can pay you. Brooks.

Give my respects to all who remember me. Tell the youth of Staunton they may now do some thing in the cause of Liberty if they will come to Texas. "

[joe817]

In November 1835, Robert McAlpin Williams received an appointment a major from the Provisional Government to command the Corps of Rangers, a three-company battalion to be organized for defense of the frontier. Williamson, a friend of William B. Travis, became involved in the effort to reinforce the Alamo.

He writes the following letter from Gonzales dated February 25:

"To the Governor and Council of Texas

By Express from San Antonio under the date of the 23d instant I have received information that 2000 Mexicans under the command of Siezma have arrived in Bexar and have taken possession of the public square compelling the American troops (150 in number) to confine themselves to the Alamo the American Troops are determined to defend the place to the last and have called upon their fellow citizens for aid under the 4th rule of instructions to me directed by your Excellency dated 15th day of the present month, I have written the following communication to Capt. J. J. Tomlison commanding the first detachment of the Ranging corps

"Sir
Information directed from San Antonio under the date of yesterday is calculated to call forth the United Efforts of all Texas Two thousand troops under the command of Siezma have arrived in that place and are in possession of the Public square, compelling our Troops (150 in number) to retire to the Alamo where they are at present and determined to remain until death or victory, the implore aid from their fellow citizens and solicit it speedily--Provisions and men is the cry. Are the frontiers of Colorado safe? are there no hostile Indians bearing materially upon the frontier of Texas. If there be none you will forthwith fall down to Bastrop and wait further orders from me. It would be well for the inhabitants of Bastrop to keep out spies in the direction of San Antonio lest a foraging party of Mexicans surprise them, every inch of ground must be disputed by us until we can communicate and march against and crush them--If the Indians are still troublesome on the frontier I would suggest to the settlers the propriety of concentrating in the different settlements and build Block houses or forts for their better defence, in the morning I will proceed to Gonzales and will advise and command what I conceive best to be done on this frontier. The information comes by Express from Col Travis and may be relied on. Do for the best and act promptly under the instructions herein contained, with sentiments of regard

I am yours
R. M. Williamson
Maj. Comdg. &c.
To Col. J. J. Tomlison

The foregoing communication I have caused to be forwarded by express and rest assured that no exertions on my part will be wanting to give the earliest aid practicable to our fellow soldiers in the Alamo. Citizens of Texas arouse, save your country and your liberties all must now act and act in unison, I am in haste

Your obt servt
R. M. Williamson
Comdg. the Rangers--

[ELB]

From Three Roads to the Alamo, by William C. Davis:

The next morning the artillery started early, and the action suddenly escalated when Travis saw two hundred or more Mexicans of the Permanente Matamoros battalion crossing the San Antonio downstream, and then coming up within less than one hundred yards' range of the southwest corner of the fort, where they took cover in some jacales near the stream. At once Travis ordered his riflemen to pin them down, while he got his artillerymen to train cannons on the houses and start firing scatterloads of canister and grapeshot. For the next two hours the skirmishing continued through a light rain, the Mexicans immobilized by the Texian fire. When they withdrew, Travis saw them carrying off eight or more dead and wounded. Through the whole action the bombardment from Mexican guns on the other side of the river continued, yet Travis was delighted to see that no a man in his garrison was hit. Moreover, he watched as his men withstood the fire, behaving well, especially Dickinson at the artillery. He saw another too. "The Hon. David Crockett was seen at all points, animating the men to do their duty," he said later in that day...

To date Travis had depended on volunteers to bear his messages, but today no one stepped forward to carry the dispatch to Houston. The morning's skirmish may have left them a bit stunned with the realization that there really was a battle in the offing. Some no doubt did not want to leave for fear of missing the time of trial, while others may have suspected that by now the Mexicans would have all roads covered, making it impossible for a rider to get through. In the end the men of the legion and Seguin's company took a vote among themselves, since they were still the only companies unquestionably subject to Travis's command, and chose Seguin himself. Travis objected. He needed Seguin there. He spoke Spanish more fluently than most, and certainly better than Travis himself. He knew the customs of the Mexicans outside the fort, and more importantly those of the tejanos inside. But the rest of the men insisted that they wanted Seguin to go, and once again an excess of democracy had its way. Seguin left at eight o'clock, well after dark.

A note about the founding of the town of Seguin: The town existed as Walnut Spring prior to being renamed in honor of Seguin. As a newcomer, I was curious as to why exactly the town chose Seguin, a living hero to be sure, over some of the other heroes of Texas Revolution, particularly the dead ones from the Alamo. At that time there was not many places already named for the early Texas heroes. I ran across various accounts citing Seguin's bravery; but they were all brave, so why Seguin?. His family apparently owned some land in what is now Guadalupe county, but he didn't seem particularly tied to this area. Then one day I came across a reason that made more sense than anything else. According to this account, at that time Seguin was in the early Texas legislature, as a senator I believe. The Walnut Springs people wanted an official post office. They figured they would get his support for the post office if they named the town after him. They did, and he did, and the town of Seguin got a post office. Somehow this account has a ring of authenticity to it...

[joe817]

Thanks ELB.

[joe817]

(I don't know how I missed this yesterday, but Travis wrote a letter to Sam Houston. Here it is):

"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"