Many times when we talk to people about Texas Independence, we get a response about that being a great idea, but then they say they are not for it because it would be ‘too hard’. And sometimes some of us get off our feed and start to feel that gaining our independence is an insurmountable obstacle. This article is written towards those who claim to be Texians but feel that the burden is too great.
There was a small group that gathered in Gonzales in October of 1835 and told a contingent of the Mexican army to ‘Come and Take It’. When those men went out to stand there and challenge the power structure, they were not sure if there would be 50 or 500 Dragoons facing them. They knew and understood what could lie in store, but they went anyway. They accepted the sacrifice.
From October to December 1835, Austin and Milam led 600 Texians against the Mexican General Cos in the Siege of San Antonio. After the 7 week siege, the battle lasted four days. The Texians emerged victorious, but Milam and others died accepting their sacrifice.
Between the surrender of General Cos and late February, 1836, the small garrison at the old mission we know today as the Alamo put up with a bitterly cold winter, were short on supplies and men. They knew that Santa Anna was marching an army north and that the garrison at San Antonio would be a focal point of his attack. They accepted the hardships and danger as part of their sacrifice for Texas.
There were 32 men in Gonzales who heard Travis’ impassioned plea for help, and knowing that they were going to be hopelessly outnumbered, knowing that the entire garrison was to be put to the sword if the fort fell, marched off from their homes toward San Antonio. They accepted their sacrifice.
James Bonham, after taking Travis’ letter to Gonzales, rode on to find Fannin. He, better than anyone outside the Alamo, knew what lay in store, but went back anyway, and died with the rest of the defenders. He accepted his sacrifice.
The Alamo defenders, who could have escaped in the early part of the siege, while Santa Anna’s army got into position. They knew the fate that probably awaited them. They accepted their sacrifice.
Delegates, knowing what they were up against, traveled to Washington-on-the-Brazos and met to declare independence and form a new government. They knew that the Mexican army was approaching. They braved weather, threat of deportation or death.
Fanin’s command were trapped by the Mexican army under General Urrea and forced to surrender at the battle of Coleto Creek. The men knew that they could be executed. They could have probably escaped had they not delayed. They accepted their sacrifice.
During the Runaway Scrape, the Texian army was pursued by the Mexicans. They were short on food and supplies, and knew how the Mexicans dealt with captured combatants. Had Santa Anna’s army caught them in the open without adequate preparation , they last vestige of a major Texian force could have been wiped out. They accepted their sacrifice.
As Houston’s army prepared to fight the Mexican army at San Jacinto they knew that they needed to gain the element of surprise to defeat the Mexicans. They were better trained, better equipped and more experienced than the Texians. Houston had the bridges burned, which served two purposes. It would prevent the Mexicans from escaping, but it also served to force the Texians to fight. The Texians prepared, the approached, and started their attack. Every man in that army knew the risks involved. They all accepted the sacrifice that they might be called to make.
What has Texas asked of her sons and daughters in this generation? That they give up some time, maybe donate a little coin, talk to their family, friends and neighbors about Texas independence, that they call or write or visit legislators, and that someday they vote to reestablish Texas nationhood? If that is too large a sacrifice for you to make for Texas, then in the words of Sam Adams “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”
