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When
Mexican troops stormed over the walls of the Alamo
on the morning of March 6, 1836, they put to death a small band of heroes who
were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for freedom on that mesquite prairie
near old San Antonio.
In
a battle that lasted only a matter of minutes, the names Bowie, Travis, and Crockett
would forever become known around the world - indeed, these brave men would become
martyrs.
Over the years, there have been those who, perhaps in an effort
to be “politically correct,” have tried to diminish the significance of the event
that happened on that bloody March morning. I have heard folks say that if there
had been a back door to the Alamo,
that there would have been no heroes. Really? Perhaps these naysayers could use
a little lesson in Texas history.
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Photo courtesy Texas State Library & Archives |
As a matter
of fact, people were coming and going from the Alamo
up until the last day of the battle.
The men inside could have left the place at any time but instead they chose to
die there in the name of liberty. It is very important; that word “chose.” It
is something that you do of your own accord - no one makes you do it - the heroes
of the Alamo chose that decision
by staying within those stone walls, in the face of certain death.
On
March 1, 1836, some 32 men from Gonzales
and the surrounding area, including what would later become Lavaca County, fought
their way into the Alamo - knowing
they would soon die there. Back door, you say? Not hardly! The Immortal 32 came
in the front door, and gave their lives so other Texans could be free - they chose
to do so.
Texas history contains much information about the famous men
who died at the Alamo, but what
about the others; the messengers? Men who would continually put their lives in
danger to carry dispatches to Gen.
Sam Houston and others - including Alamo
commander Travis’
famous letter and plea for reinforcements. |
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Photo courtesy Texas State Library & Archives |
According
to the Handbook of Texas, several individuals were given the title of “last
messenger” from the Alamo. One of
these men was John William Smith. He has been included as the last messenger
from the Alamo - it has been said
that many of the Mexican folks around San Antonio called him “El Colorado.” Smith
was part of Green DeWitt’s colony. He lived in Gonzales,
La Bahia,
and San Antonio.
He was
married to Maria de Jesus Delgado Curbelo and the couple had six children. Smith
was fluent in Spanish and was able to communicate well with the citizens of San
Antonio, making him very valuable as a messenger for the Texas army. He was
sent by Col. William B. Travis as the final messenger to the Convention of 1836.
After the fall of the Alamo, Smith
participated in the Battle
of San Jacinto. When independence was secured he returned to San
Antonio and became an influential citizen. He served as mayor of San
Antonio for three years.
Another man who has been included as the
last messenger from the Alamo is James L. Allen. He was born in Kentucky,
the eldest of seven children. When hostilities broke out in Texas, Allen was a
student at Marion College, Missouri - he joined other students and volunteered
for military service with the Texas army.
Chances are that Allen was indeed
the last courier to leave the Alamo.
He was sent with dispatches on the night of March 5, 1836; just hours before the
final battle took place. Allen went on to serve at the Battle
of San Jacinto where he was a scout under Erastus (Deaf) Smith and helped
burned bridges behind Mexican lines to cut off their retreat.
In 1865,
Allen moved to Hochheim
where he owned a farm. He died at his home, five miles west of Yoakum
on April 25, 1901. Perhaps when we remember the Alamo,
we should honor the lesser-known men in both armies. Just like the famous ones,
these individuals also chose to fight for a cause they believed in.
©
Murray
Montgomery
Lone
Star Diary
April 11, 2011 column | | |
