MY DEAR LADS AND LASSES:
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In all the history of warfare
there is no greater example of the folly of an army committing atrocities
against their enemies than exemplified during the war for independence between
/>Mexico and her
northern most province of
Tejas. At the
Battle of the
Alamo, Santa
Ana's order to take no prisoners stiffened the resistance
of the Texians. Though the Mexican army claimed victory in that fight, their
loss of over six hundred dead and over one thousand wounded crippled their army
and caused severe damage to the respect held for Santa
Ana, even among his own officers.
Before the slaughter of all the
Alamo's defenders and the massacre of the Texian
prisoners at Goliad, Santa Ana's
reputation, outside Texas, was
that of a crafty and capable general. Afterwards he was thought a cruel and
inhumane barbarian. Until those atrocities, most Texians wanted only to restore
the Mexican Constitution of 1824, which Santa
Ana had arbitrarily abandoned, and opposed a complete
separation from the mother country.
Almost all those prisoners killed
at Goliad, were volunteers from The United States and not native Texians nor
established colonists. Had Santa Ana shown those men normal courtesies extended
to prisoners of war in those days?granted parole on their promise not to return
to the fight?and sent home in humiliation and defeat, his reputation outside
Texas would have been enhanced. Much of the support for the Texians in the
United States
would have collapsed.
The mass murder of those four
hundred prisoners had the opposite effect. Santa
Ana, and indeed, all the Mexican people, were branded
with a reputation for brutality and cruelty. The universal rage among the people
of Texas and the
United States
promoted the success of the Texas Revolution when it counted most, after the
fighting was over.
The courage and determination of
the defenders of the Alamo secured that battle's position
as the preeminent symbol of Texas
independence but at the war's climax in the battle of San
Jacinto, the cry of "REMEMBER THE ALAMO" was followed by the more
resounding shout of "REMEMBER GOLIAD!" It was that yell that fired the passions
of both Texians (Texans of American descent) and Tejanos (Texans of Mexican
descent) for revenge. Hearing that
reminder of their disgraceful behavior at Goliad sapped the courage from many of
the Mexican soldados and left them to cower in shame when facing the onslaught
of Houston's army.
The story that follows, of the
migration by James Thomas, Betsy Lewis and the Tucker family to
Texas, is typical of thousands.
Their experiences after they arrived were unique.
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