March 2, 1836: Texas is Free!

[Texas Star]

This is Texas Independence Day, although the media will probably keep quiet about it, if those jerks even know . They're so full of PC nonsense...

Anyway, this is the day in 1836 when the Republic of Texas declared formal independence from Mexico. The fall of the Alamo followed, with other bloodshed, but we were a new nation, which joined the USA a decade later.

Happy Birthday, Texas! This is a great place to live.

 

[CelticSire]

"To the people of Texas and all Americans in the world: Fellow citizens and compatriots, I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Ana. I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and 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 and 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 and everything dear to the American character to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to 3,000 or 4,000 in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due his own honor and that of his country -- victory or death.

William Barrett Travis, Lieutenant Colonel, Commandant"

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison read those words on the Senate floor, continuing an annual tradition started by Senator John Tower. Senator Hutchison's great-great-grandfather, Charles S. Taylor, was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. (You can watch her entire presentation at the link. This is the last time Senator Hutchison will read Col. Travis's letter.)

Sen. Hutchison Honors Texas Independence Day on Senate Floor - YouTube

 

[zonker5]

Happy Birthday, Texas!!!

 

[Texas Star]

"To the people of Texas and all Americans in the world: Fellow citizens and compatriots, I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Ana. I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and 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 and 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 and everything dear to the American character to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to 3,000 or 4,000 in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due his own honor and that of his country -- victory or death.

William Barrett Travis, Lieutenant Colonel, Commandant"

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison read those words on the Senate floor, continuing an annual tradition started by Senator John Tower. Senator Hutchison's great-great-grandfather, Charles S. Taylor, was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. (You can watch her entire presentation at the link. This is the last time Senator Hutchison will read Col. Travis's letter.)

Sen. Hutchison Honors Texas Independence Day on Senate Floor - YouTube

Thanks for posting this, including the link. That letter from Travis is often deemed one of the most historically important written in the English language. I think it ranks with Churchill's address following the evacuation of Dunkirk.

 

[mball]

Yippee-Ki-Yaa!!! God Bless Texas!


If y'all secede I'll be right there.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

God bless Texas, and the great city of New Braunfels!!!

 

[MKT]

Another Happy Independence Day!

Four more days until my "usual" Alamo briefing for my shift.

 

[pawncop]

May we continue to recall the sacrifice and bravery of those before us. May we remain free and cherish liberty.

 

[Fishslayer]

May we continue to recall the sacrifice and bravery of those before us. May we remain free and cherish liberty.

By golly that's almost enough to make me wanna light up in the DFW airport...

...oh wait...

 

[chud333]

Great Post and letter from "Commandant Travis".
The courage displayed by this man and the men
who died there are an inspiration to all. Let me
add, "God Bless Texas".


chuck

 

[ol' geeser]

Tyler Paper had a full color banner headliner today declaring "Independence"......pretty cool....

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