The Alamo Remembered
Tejano Accounts and Perspectives

By Timothy M. Matovina

"A fascinating and much needed anthology of Tejano accounts of America's most storied battle.... There are no books like it in the field, despite considerable publishing on the Alamo and the Texas revolt."--Paul Hutton, Executive Director, Western History Association.

As Mexican soldiers fought the mostly Anglo-American colonists and volunteers at the Alamo in 1836, San Antonio's Tejano population was caught in the crossfire, both literally and symbolically. Though their origins were in Mexico, the Tejanos had put down lasting roots in Texas and did not automatically identify with the Mexican cause. Indeed, as the accounts in this new collection demonstrate, their strongest allegiance was to their fellow San Antonians, with whom they shared a common history and a common plight as war raged in their hometown.

Timothy M. Matovina here gathers all known Tejano accounts of the Battle of the Alamo. These accounts consist of first reports of the battle, including Juan N. Segun's funeral oration at the interment ceremony of the Alamo defenders, conversations with 5 local Tejanos, unpublished petitions and depositions, and published accounts from newspapers and other sources. This communal response to the legendary battle deepens our understanding of the formation of Mexican American consciousness and identity in San Antonio.

Timothy M. Matovina, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. His previous publications include Tejano Religion and Ethnicity: San Antonio, 1821-1860.

ISBN 0292751869 (Paper)

University of Texas Press
P.O. Box 7819 Austin, Texas 78713-7819