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Military Families Exhibit A Destined Conflict Opens July 4 Enter For Free his summer, the San Jacinto Museum of T History is again participating in the Blue Star Museums program, a collaboration between the Department of Defense, Blue Star Families, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Detail, Battle at the Plains of Buena Vista, February 23, 1847, by Samuel Chamberlain. over 2,000 museums to n May 13, 1846, the fighting that followed was a engagements of a conflict where provide free admission to all United States of valiant but ineffective defensive more soldiers died from disease active duty military personnel, O America declared war for , after which a than in battle. including National Guard and war on the United Mexican huge portion of that nation From the first engagement at Reserve, U.S. Public Health States. In response to this became American territory. Palo Alto, , to the Halls of Service and NOAA declaration, thousands of men The full reasons for this war Montezuma in Mexico City, the Commissioned Corps, and across American mustered in are not that easy to discern and exhibit chronicles this decisive their families from Memorial volunteer regiments to join the interpret even with hindsight as and divisive conflict. Often Day through Labor Day. If Regular Army to fight for the a guide. In A Destined Conflict: overshadowed by the Civil War, you have family or friends in Stars and Stripes. The official The U.S.– Mexican War, a new it is important not to forget this the military who are traveling cause of the war was both the exhibit opening July 4th at the major conflict that saw the first across Texas this summer, American annexation of the San Jacinto Museum of History, use of new technologies and invite them to visit San Jacinto. and the a wide array of contemporary provided key experience for border dispute between Mexico artifacts—from newspapers and men whose fame would only and the new state over whether prints, to documents and increase twelve years later. In the national border was the Rio artifacts written and owned by the aftermath, problems that Grande or the Nueces River; some of the key players in the were drowned out by patriotic Texas claimed the , conflict—will be on display. fervor and the cries of Manifest Mexico the Nueces. After the Understanding the messages Destiny became even more Mexican Army fired on and conveyed by these artifacts pronounced and would soon killed several American soldiers grants some insight into how the lead to a fracture within the sent provocatively into the politicians and military officers United States itself. disputed area along the border in charge, the men in the field, by President James K. Polk, the and the press back home President asked for and received viewed the series a declaration of war from of Congress. The two years of Letter from the President Dear Supporter, nation. In the ebb and flow of the tide of human events, exploring our nation’s The most brilliant committee ever formed was gathered by the Second history is essential and necessary to guide us in making informed Continental Congress who asked Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, decisions as responsible citizens. Our nation was formed on the bedrock John Adams, Robert Livingston and Roger Sherman to write a declaration that legal rights may be given to citizens by the laws of their governments, of independence for a new nation. On July 4, 1776, this committee but natural rights which are universal and inalienable cannot be impinged presented a stirring announcement to the world: “We hold these truths to upon by government. Natural rights are by definition beyond the power of be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by any authority to bestow or remove. This principal thought was the central their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, point in the thinking of the founders of this nation, but to move from the Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…” Similarly, on September 28, 1821, philosophical to the creation of an independent nation based on those the Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire “Restored ... all principles required help. the rights given by the Author of Nature and recognized as unalienable The thirteen British colonies on the eastern shore of North America and sacred by the civilized nations of the Earth,” and on March 2, 1836, at were not alone in the world in their fight for independence. As early as Washington-on-the-Brazos, the people of Texas referred to the inherent 1776, the fathers and grandfathers of Tejanos, in land that would and inalienable rights of the people. Texas declared to all governments its eventually become Texas, drove cattle from their ranches to Louisiana to status as an independent nation. furnish beef for the colonists in their war for independence from Great It was not just mutual philosophy that bound these nations to declare Britain. their independence, but the loss of established precepts that Bernado de Galvéz, governor of Louisiana, sent gun powder, muskets, respected basic human rights in posterity for their citizens. medicine and money to the rebelling colonists. In a pivotal engagement of Understanding the concept of natural laws and their implications for the the American Revolution, he captured the British fort at Pensacola in rights and responsibilities of citizens is not easy. Personal rights have 1781. Although Galvéz’ ultimate goal was to promote the interests of been debated endlessly in the past, sometimes violently, as in the Civil Spain against her enemy Great Britain, other supporters of the American War of 150 years ago, and they continue to be an issue today, in places Revolution had less self-interested motives. Spanish-born Jorge Farragut like the Ukraine, Iraq, Libya, Egypt and even here in America. fought as a member of both the Continental navy and army. Many French Understanding and appreciating the history of our nation is essential to officers came to America to fight because they favored the ideals of the understand why these issues are significant today, both within our state Revolution; the best known was the Marquis de Lafayette, only 19. and nation, as well as throughout the world. Eventually, Lafayette was the first person granted honorary citizenship by Through your support, the San Jacinto Museum of History helps share the United States of America. our history, and allows lifelong learners to reflect on the implications of What united the colonists, Spain, and France in the American history on our world today. Revolution and five decades later inspired Mexico and Texas were the common aspirations, hopes, and ideals which move people to declare their independence and risk all to secure these rights and to form a new Larry Spasic, President, San Jacinto Museum of History

Today’s Heroes of San Jacinto New and Renewing Members San Jacinto Society Independence Society Mr. Mike Floyd Ms. Dannette Grant / Noltex Mrs. Betty S. Brown Mr. James A. Giroir Mr. L. Henry Gissel, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Cochran Sam Society Ms. Nancy Guest Mr. and Mrs. Raleigh W. Johnson, Jr. Mrs. Henrietta K. Alexander Mr. and Mrs. William L. Hixon Dr. John Kirk Mrs. Thomas W. Houghton Mr. Chris Robblee / Vopak Mr. Glen Rosenbaum Mr. Gary Johnson Ms. Delene Juarez Monument Society Ms. Martha R. Seeligson Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Kelley, Jr. Mr. Edward H. Andrews III Hon. and Mrs. Wayne Smith Mr. and Mrs. John Manlove Ms. Mary B. Bentsen Mr. and Mrs. James G. Ulmer Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Painter Mrs. Jean H. Chernosky Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Webber III Mr. William Pannill Mr. Michael Perrin Mrs. Helen K. Groves Mr. and Mrs. Russell Windham Mr. and Mrs. Jon C. Pfennig

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brooks Hixon Ms. Eliza Lovett Randall Family Freedom Society Mr. and Mrs. Raborn L. Reader, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. W. Walter Negley Mr. and Mrs. Bolivar C. Andrews Mr. Obie O’Brien Ms. Renee L. Rhodes Mr. and Mrs. William C. Arnold Mr. and Mrs. Al Richard Mr. and Mrs. Dan Sugulas Mr. Steele Arthur The Stroud Family

Mr. John T. Cater Mr. and Mrs. William C. Tapley Museum Circle Lt. Col. Peyton E. Cook, USAF (Ret.) Mr. Richard Tomlinson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Kelsey Mr. Gary Denson Mr. Wallace S. Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Paul Dunphey Mr. Paul Virga

SAN JACINTO NEWS JULY 2015 2 Recent Events San Jacinto Day Dinner Right:: Carter Smith, S p o n s o r s Executive Director of Epic Underwriters TPWD, speaks at the San Cornelia and Meredith Long Jacinto Day Dinner on Lisa and Will Mathis / Sarah and Steve Pitt / Zoch Foundation April 21. Heroic Underwriters Sarita and Bob Hixon / John L. Wortham & Son, L.P.

Gallant Underwriters Left: crowds gathered at 11:00 for Jeanie and Tommy Carter the annual Official State of Texas Kirby Corporation Ceremony earlier that day. Vivie and Chris O’Sullivan Stedman West Foundation Below: The San Jacinto Day Rae G. White Festival occurred as scheduled. Laurie and Randy Allen / Kathleen and Townes Pressler / Sissy and Grady Although the full reenactment was Roberts / Carson and Arthur Seeligson / adjusted due to flooding, Robin and John Wombwell

reenactors interpreted the period Brave Underwriters throughout the day. Thanks to Edward H. Andrews III Festival sponsors H-E-B, The Dow Ramona and Lee Bass Chemical Company, Vopak, W. S. Bellows Construction Corporation Shannon and Chris Bush Pasadena Strawberry Festival, Spirit Jan and Tom Martin Davis of Texas Bank, LyondellBasell, Jenny Elkins KHOU, the City of La Porte, Meg Goodman and Mike Bonini IndemCo Joan H. Lyons John P. McGovern Foundation Laurie and Reed Morian Dee and Chad Muir Fairfax and Risher Randall Nancy and David Randall Nancy and Edward Steves Robin and Sandy Stuart Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation Nancy Allen / Chinhui and Eddie Allen Florence and Frederic Gautier-Winther / Laurie and Blake Liedtke TPWD, volunteers from San Jacinto Nancy and George Peterkin, Jr. / Jeanie and College and Deer Park ISD, San Jacinto Wally Wilson Betty and Bill Conner / Ann and Tom Kelsey / Volunteers, Clean Harbors, CenterPoint Wendy and Mavis Kelsey, Jr. Energy, La Porte EMS, and Hampton Nancy Burch / Anne and Tom Conner / Dorothy Inn Deer Park. Knox Howe Houghton / Linda Gale and Mark White Right: Raquel Espinoza presents a Nancy and Mark Abendshein / Anne and Robin check from the Union Pacific French / Lisa and Downing Mears / Laura and Bill Wheless / Lynn and Jim Wilson Foundation. Collier and Richard Blades / Verlinde and Bill Doubleday / Mimi and Rob Kerr / Sarah and Doug Thank You to Recent Donors McMurrey / Sarah and Jeff McParland Gail and Richard Hightower / Judy and Frank The Gordon A. Cain Foundation Lee / Lynn and Dorrance Monteith / Betty and Houston Endowment, Inc. Bob Palmquist / Camille and Grier Patton Union Pacific Railroad

SAN JACINTO NEWS JULY 2015 3 San Jacinto Museum of History “Remember…” the San Jacinto Battle Cry Board of Trustees 2015 common question received by staff at the Houston gave orders not to kill any more, but to take museum concerns what was the battle cry prisoners. Capt. Eastland said, ‘Boys, take prisoners; Chad H. Muir, Chair on the field of San Jacinto on April 21, you know how to take prisoners—take them with Sadie Gwin Blackburn A Bo Bothe 1836. The answer is not simple, as veterans of the the butt of your guns, club guns,’ and said, Nancy T. Burch battle left different accounts of what they heard that ‘Remember the Alamo, remember Laberde,’ and Verlinde Hill Doubleday day. is usually given credit for being clubbed guns right and left and nocked their brains James B. Earthman, III the first to shout “Remember the Alamo! Remember out. The Mexicans would fall down on their knees Frank G. Jones Goliad!” in the battle. Thomas Jefferson Rusk wrote and say, ‘Me no Alamo, me no Laberde.’” Ann H. Kelsey David G. Burnet on April 22, 1836 that he heard Thomas Menefee wrote down Captain Moseley Michael N. Lamb “Remember the Alamo! Remember La Bahia!” Sion Baker’s speech to his company before the battle, Sarah J. Pitt R. Bostick said that his company was yelling which ended with “Then nerve yourselves for the Townes G. Pressler, Jr. Remember the Alamo! Remember Fannin!” in his battle, knowing that our cause is just and we are in David C. Randall reminiscences, published in the Quarterly of the Texas the hands of an Allwise Creator and as you strike the Dan Sugulas State Historical Association in 1901. General Houston’s murderous blows let our watchwords be ‘Remember

CONTACT INFORMATION: report to David G. Burnet on April 25, 1836, quotes Goliad’; ‘Remember the Alamo.’” John Harvey, a San Jacinto Museum Sherman and his regiment crying “Remember the veteran of the battle, wrote “Genl (Houston) formed of History Association Alamo!” Some of Sherman’s us in solid colm - rode into our midst, and delivered One Monument Circle La Porte (Houston), TX 77571-9585 descendants say they were told the cry was to us one of the best speeches - told us that when we “Remember the Alamo! Goliad and the Alamo!” got into battle to make the Mexicans remember the Phone: 281/479-2421 James Tarleton wrote a letter the day after the battle Alamo - Genl Rusk followed him, telling us to also Fax: 281/479-2428 that was printed in the Daily Commercial Republican and make the Mexicans remember the massacre of E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.sanjacinto-museum.org Commercial Register of Cincinnati, Ohio, June 3, 1836, Fannins men.” Isaac L. Hill remembered Houston that said the cry was “Remember the Alamo, and Rusk saying that “Remember the Alamo” and The San Jacinto Museum of History Laborde [La Bahia] and Tampico.” Jesse Billingsley’s “The Alamo and La Bahia” should be the battle Association was chartered in 1938 to preserve and revisualize the early history of Texas. account of the battle was published in the Galveston cries, in their speeches just before the battle.

News on September 19, 1857; he recalled cries of Whatever the exact words of the cry, it is clear © 2015 San Jacinto Museum of History “Remember the Alamo!” and “Remember Fannin that the memory of the men who had fallen in the and Goliad!” Robert Hancock Hunter’s war was an inspiration to the soldiers on the field of reminiscences include the following: “General San Jacinto.

SAN JACINTO NEWS JULY 2015 4

San Jacinto Museum of History Association One Monument Circle La Porte, TX 77571-9585

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