Month: November 2016

These bearded fellows here are listed as veterans of the Battle of San Jacinto, circa early 1900s. That would make them all at least 80 years old by that point. If you’re not clear on that battle, here’s some quick history.

Remember the Alamo: At 5am on March 6, 1836, Mexican troops under Santa Anna launched their final assault on the Alamo. By 6:30am, the Alamo had fallen. As news of the Alamo’s fall spread, angered volunteer ranks grew. On April 21, under Sam Houston, the Texian (yes, Texian at that point) cannon fired, beginning the battle of San Jacinto. Per Wikipedia,

After a single volley, Texians broke ranks and swarmed over the Mexican breastworks to engage in hand-to-hand combat. Mexican soldiers were taken by surprise…Within 18 minutes, Mexican soldiers abandoned their campsite and fled for their lives…Texians continued to chant “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!” while frightened Mexican infantry yelled “Me no Alamo!” and begged for mercy to no avail.  In what historian Davis called “one of the most one-sided victories in history,” 650 Mexican soldiers were killed and 300 captured. Eleven Texians died, with 30 others, including Houston, wounded.

Anyway, y’all, that’s why we remember the Alamo. Afterward, the Treaties of Velasco required that all Mexican troops withdraw south of the Rio Grande, which became recognized as the border between the two countries, and that’s right about where Trump plans to put that wall.

Perhaps it will look like this border fence in Eagle Pass, Texas, right next to a golf course in Shelby Park and half a mile from the Rio Grande.