Alamo

The Alamo

Groups of volunteers were organized throughout America to join the Texans in their fight for liberty. One of the first was a group that left New Orleans by steamboat, sailing up the Mississippi and Red Rivers to Natchitoches, Louisiana, and then marched towards San Felipe. As they crossed the Sabine river and entered Texas, a group of appreciative settlers made this flag and presented it to the militia.

At least nineteen of these men from New Orleans died defending the Alamo on March 6th, 1836. Like the divisions and battalions of a large army, several groups of volunteers at the Alamo carried their own banners, although all generally regarded the "1824" flag as the principal flag for Texas at the time. The 1824 flag had been create to call attention to the Mexican constitution of that year, which Santa Anna had revoked. Unlike any of the other historic flags of Texas, the Flag of the New Orleans Grays clearly indentified an American origin, and was therefore special to the Mexican dictator. After the defeat of the Texans, this flag was saved by Santa Anna as proof that his army was not fighting against a revolution of Texans, but rather an invasion by American seditionists. Santa Anna sent the flag back to his government in Mexico City, where it has been held since 1836.

The flag can be seen on the right hand side of this page, at the top of the links listings

The San Jacinto Flag

This was the banner the Texans carried at one of the greatest turning points in American history. Santa Anna's army of over 6,000 men swept across Texas to Lynch's Ferry, a gathering point for retreating Texas settlers. Santa Anna led one column onto a narrow peninsula, surrounded by San Jacinto Bay and Buffalo Bayou, and set up camp. The Texas army rushed to the opportunity, marching nearly all night, and at dawn of the next day were on the edge of the grassy plains of San Jacinto. After brief skirmishes, the Texans advanced at 4 o'clock on the afternoon of April 21st, 1836. With cries of "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad," they charged into the Mexican camp. The attack was so sudden that the battle was over in less than 20 minutes. Of the original Mexican force of 1500 men, 630 were killed on the spot, 208 were wounded and 730 were captured. Only 743 Texans were in battle; 6 were killed and another 25 wounded, including Sam Houston. Santa Anna was captured, and the war was over. By early June, the entire Mexican army had crossed the Rio Grande, and Texas was free!