Multiple accounts of the Battle of San Jacinto refer to tories apparently mostly from the east of the battleground. Dr. Nicholas Labadie relates in his journal:

We soon discovered some men on the hills beyond Lynchburg, whom we took to be a reinforcement from the east, and some men were sent over in a canoe to ascertain the particulars. It was found out that they were some of the Texas tories, and had come to pilot Santa Anna across to the Sabine, where he was going to fulfill his boast that he could plant his standard on the banks of the Sabine, proclaiming it the Mexican boundary. These men, finding they had mistaken the Texans for the Mexican army, made a hasty retreat and disappeared.

Is there any information as to who these "tories" were, either a group identity or individuals? Were they both Anglo and Hispanic? Were they actual active "Tories" in that they were aiding Mexican forces, hindering Texian forces, or tagged that because of their lack of support for the Texian cause?

W.L. McKeehan
San Jacinto

In his book The Texas Revolutionary Experience:  A Political And Social History, 1835-1836, Paul Lack's ninth chapter is a wonderfully erudite discussion of Texas torries.  Also very  good is Margaret Swett  Henson's article "Tory Sentiment in Anglo-Texas Public Opinion,1832-1836" in The Southwestern Historical Quarterly (July 1986), 1-34.  Of course, if one wanted to read a book  written by a Texas torry, he could do no better than David B. Edward's The History of Texas.  Edward had  to leave the Texas Republic because his book had enraged so many pro-independence Texians. Read the 1990 reprint by the Texas State Historical Association because of its  new introduction by Margaret Swett Henson.

Stephen L. Hardin

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I would like to know what happened to the bodies of all of the Mexican soldiers that were killed at the Battle of the Alamo. Were they buried here in San Antonio or near here?

John Lockett
San Antonio, Texas

If you look at the Campo Santo records(the originals, not Leal's translations) it would appear that only the officers are listed for burials. This could be either in Campo Santo or San Fernando. The rank and file were probably buried in a common grave either at Camp Santo or just outside of it.  Ruiz reported that  he dumped some in the river, which I find odd, since that would mean the mayor of San Antonio is helping to pollute his city's(and the Mexican Army's) water supply.

Kevin R. Young

Subject:Tories at San Jacinto, Pt.2
Date: 02/03/00
From: W.L. McKeehan

Author Lack defines a tory as "giving aid and comfort to the centralist cause through military service or other support" an exceedingly small proportion of the population he concludes.

I do not believe that Edwards qualifies by this definition. There is some hint that apparently the most clear-cut incident at Lipantítlan may have been less a question of loyalty to centralism than spur of the moment necessity when the firing started (it is said that the great majority of those in the sieging Roman forces at Masada were Jewish slaves attacking by necessity their own people).

I am interested in trying to dissect how much so-called toryism was simply paranoia and guilt by association or inaction/neutrality by amoral, self-serving war hawks like Travis and Houston. By this loose definition, a majority of Texian Federalists who later were the highest level patriots in the fight for independence might have qualified for the label "Tory" at one time or another. Was this "Tory-baiting" extremism the reason that Pres. Burnet rescinded the mandate to Kokernot who was used as a loyal, well-meaning "patsy" of Houston and his paranoia? Or were these people a real danger to the Texian cause?

W.L. McKeehan
San Jacinto

Subject: Battle of Béxar casualty
Date: 02/08/00
From: Valerie Tobirt

Who was the person killed other than Ben Milam at the first battle of the Alamo? I believe he was my great great grandfather,I think the name is John Cook, but I can't remember. He is buried in the same grave as Milam. Can you please give me confirmation on this?

Valerie Tobirt
Corpus Christi, Texas

We can't confirm any of your information. In fact, there is much evidence to refute it. A William Gorden Cooke, was a Captain among the New Orleans Greys, however he was not among the fatalities reported after the "Siege of Béxar". Cooke lived until 1847.

Before the surrender of the Mexican forces at Béxar, Colonel Edward Burleson reported in a letter to Stephen F. Austin that a Mr. Harvey was killed along with Colonel Milam. It's obvious from the following that Burleson didn't use spell check, but you'll get the idea.

...know is the time to free our Selves from military Despot is now the Losses we have Sustained Consist of two killed to Wit Colo. B. R. Milam and a mister harvy from the untid stas fourteen wonded and we are Still in Closs Contack and I am of opinion it Will be a Serious one with unless we are aided a mediatly Send us help and we never will quit the field untill we can Enjoy our Constituanal rites

yours
Edward Burleson

[To] general S. F. Austin Comander in Chief of the Vollenteer army

Concerning the burial of your ancestor, Milam's exact resting place was discovered in early 1993, during the first stage of the renovation of Milam Park. Archaeologists from the University of Texas at San Antonio identified his remains. After study, he was reinterred Dec. 11, 1994, at the base of his statue in the park. Though the investigation verified that it was indeed Milam buried there, they found Colonel Milam sleeping alone.

In regard to Kevin Young's thorough responses concerning the Tornel Decree:

Were foreign-born immigrant colonists in Texas distinguished legally from  the foreign "pirate and  adventurer" category referred to in the Tornel doctrine? If so, how and  what legal protection (status, documents, etc.) did they have under Mexican law?

Were there legal statutes that distinguished foreign-born from native born Texian/Tejanos (independent of race/cultural origin, etc.)?

W.L. McKeehan
San Jacinto

Why do people get so excited at a  battle that Texas lost? I don't  mean to be mean, but why?

Mark Johnson
Texas

Great page! Got a question...
During the Battle of San Jacinto, it was noted that many of the Texas Rebels were shouting "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad." I was wondering who the initial person was who made the saying???

Ryan Petty
Cumby, TX

".....Much controversy, it appears, has arisen as to how the battle cry "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" came about. The first time I remember to have heard these expressions was during Houston's short talk to the men on the eve of the battle. Of course the boys were continually talking about the butchery at the Alamo and the slaughter at Goliad: and avowing to avenge the cold-blooded murder of their countrymen. But the manner in which the expression became the battle cry at San Jacinto has never been given in a published history. The honor of coining the slogan belongs to William F. Young, who fought as a private in Lamar's cavalry corps; and in this way:

As the Texans charged and the Mexicans fired their first and most effective volley, killing three Americans and wounding several, the undisciplined Texan force seemed to waver for a moment; and it was at this critical juncture that Private Young dashed forward, crying at the top of his voice, "Boys, come on! Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" At once the cry was taken up and spread from man to man until the whole force was crying "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" and it certainly carried consternation to the ranks of the Mexicans, many of them throwing down their guns, and crying out, "Me no Alamo! Me no Goliad!" Young was severely wounded but continued to fight until the battle was over. The heroic man who coined and actually gave impetus to the slogan which no doubt went far toward winning the fight at San Jacinto, was one of the volunteers from South Carolina. He sleeps on Texas soil, his grave neglected. The state should honor and perpetuate his memory with a monument of lasting bronze.

Instantly the appeal was caught up and repeated with more and more feeling. It seemed to nerve every Texan to fight with greater desperation and to fire with deadlier effect....."

Major Bernard Erath said in his memoirs:

"...General Houston made us a speech at Harrisburg as we started on our march to attack the Mexicans; he promised us that we should have full satisfaction for all we had gone through; and he closed his address by saying let your war cry be "Remember the Alamo!..."

"....Before crossing the bayou, General Houston made us an animated speech, towards the conclusion of which he said, "The army will cross and we will meet the enemy. Some of us may be killed and must be killed; but, soldiers, remember the Alamo, the Alamo!" Major Somerville remarked, "After such a speech, but d-----d few will be taken prisoners---that I know." Colonel Rusk then made a most eloquent speech, inspiring all with an enthusiastic desire to meet the enemy, calling upon the men to remember the Alamo and Goliad; and in the midst of his speech he stopped suddenly, saying, "I have done...."

It is Secretary of War Rusk's Battle Report that may have immortalized the "saying" for future generations:

"......We have read of deeds of chivalry, and perused with ardor the annals of war; we have contemplated, with the highest emotions of sublimity, the loud roaring thunder, the desolating tornado, and the withering simoon of the desert; but neither of these, nor all, inspired us with emotions like those felt on this occasion. The officers and men seemed inspired by a like enthusiasm. There was a general cry which pervaded the ranks: "Remember the Alamo!" "Remember La Bahía!" These words electrified all. "Onward!" was the cry. The unerring aim and irresistible energy of the Texas army could not be withstood. It was freemen fighting against the minions of tyranny and the results proved the inequality of such a contest..." [Full text ]

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