We review the letters to the Editor with some frequency. By far and away the best contributor on your page is Mr. Jack Ayoub. This is not to diminish seven or eight other contributors, but Mr. Ayoub is a different star in the constellation.
I, as he, have been an addict to matters that mix the Spanish / Mexican points of view during the period from 1824 through 1850 as it involved Texas. The later history accounts either diminished or outright cancelled the Latin element from the development of Texas as a potential Empire among Nations. It is readily agreed by this student the past that the person of Juan Sequin should have an 18k gold coin struck in his honour. Without Sequin, the Battle of San Jacinto would have had a much different outcome.
Somerville, and lamentably Houston, did not win the battle. Somerville did not crow and strut. Houston…? That discussion is for another day.
But the ones who gained the day at San Jacinto were two men, Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar…who came into the area, travelled Mexico, developed a disdain for Mexicans of all classes and races…and who knew little or nothing about combat and military deployment.
But the ones who gained the day at San Jacinto were two men, Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar…who came into the area, travelled Mexico, developed a disdain for Mexicans of all classes and races…and who knew little or nothing about combat and military deployment.
Likewise, Juan Sequin could speak English only haltingly, had never gone beyond the reading of a few books on military tactics and strategy. BUT, Sequin had established a justifiable reputation for being an Indian fighter, an Ambassador to Indians who could listen to reason, and as a reputable lawman, National Guardsman, frontier patrol commander, and finally the Chief of Cavalry at San Jacinto.
Some say few, others say ''quite a few" mounts and riders were deployed under Sequin's command before the early morning attack that day…21 April 1836. Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar…a brigadier by convenience because he was so literate…counselled with Sequin several times, but especially on that frosty morn. Lamar's distaste for the Latin element had evaporated by that time and he had become, gee-whiz Sergeant Carter, a Texian!!!
Lamar and Sequin, not Houston and Somerville, brought the wrath upon the "Invincible Army". And please understand…this was not a comic-opera army. It was a polished, capable, and very effective army, headed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Republic of Mexico. But, come the sundown of that day of Liberty for the Republic of Texas, the "Ejercito Invincible" was totally and absolutely destroyed.
Seven hundred motley ethnics, differing ages, and even languages literally destroyed the Mexican Empire…where 2,000 of Mexico's best were beaten by Anglo and Latin hayseed ruralists.
There were seven Mexican general officers in the broad field that day (all over southern Texas). Six were competent. Two were dead and one, after capture, was staring at the noose as his probable reward after fleeing in private's uniform during the battle. The reader has three guesses about the name of that soldier.
Old General-Mayor Manuel Fernandez Castrillon…a noble Mexican officer and person…died in place, shouting that he was too old to run. Various Texian Latins and Anglos called for his sparing but it was too late. And this writer asks, "Why Castrillon and not Lopez de Santa Anna?"
Lamentably, it would be only six or seven years later that Sam Houston's buddies would have manoeuvred property documents around and forced Juan Sequin and his cadre to release a competent control in the governance of San Antonio to speculators who were taking advantage of the relative peace provided by the dead of the Texian revolt and such brave parties as Sequin and his range-riders and the brilliant, but not military, Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar.
Sequin, after having been driven out of San Antonio by the speculators 1842 (who had the ear of Houston, but not Somerville), wound up in Mexican Laredo. The very competent General Ampudia immediately put him under a "convenient arrest" and made him swear to defend against "foreign aggression". True enough, Sequin would direct the cavalry at the Battle of Mier during Christmastide, 1842. The invaders, as all know, lost.
General Ampudia would also receive the American assault five years later, when General Taylor would arrive to begin the Mexican - American War. When all the dust settled, the Sequin family had actually regained much of their smaller properties in Texas, no thanks to Houston. And Sequin did have a lot of respect from Texians of all stripes and types…including mine…which carries forth to this day.
My mission in all of this is to complement Jack Ayoub because he knows this as well and / or better than do I. His works are worthy of all men and women to be received, and we give the Monitor our gratitude for allowing him to publish on your pages.
Sincerely,
David Chistian Newton
EL GRINGO VIEJO
Sequin also developed an instinctive trust in his "commander". Most of the Texian "cavalry" was composed of Latins of various stripes and types…but all who were bitterly opposed to Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna…generalissimo and _______ President of Mexico…who happened to lie to the front of the Texian forces…less than three miles ahead.
Lamar and Sequin, not Houston and Somerville, brought the wrath upon the "Invincible Army". And please understand…this was not a comic-opera army. It was a polished, capable, and very effective army, headed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Republic of Mexico. But, come the sundown of that day of Liberty for the Republic of Texas, the "Ejercito Invincible" was totally and absolutely destroyed.
Seven hundred motley ethnics, differing ages, and even languages literally destroyed the Mexican Empire…where 2,000 of Mexico's best were beaten by Anglo and Latin hayseed ruralists.
There were seven Mexican general officers in the broad field that day (all over southern Texas). Six were competent. Two were dead and one, after capture, was staring at the noose as his probable reward after fleeing in private's uniform during the battle. The reader has three guesses about the name of that soldier.
Old General-Mayor Manuel Fernandez Castrillon…a noble Mexican officer and person…died in place, shouting that he was too old to run. Various Texian Latins and Anglos called for his sparing but it was too late. And this writer asks, "Why Castrillon and not Lopez de Santa Anna?"
Lamentably, it would be only six or seven years later that Sam Houston's buddies would have manoeuvred property documents around and forced Juan Sequin and his cadre to release a competent control in the governance of San Antonio to speculators who were taking advantage of the relative peace provided by the dead of the Texian revolt and such brave parties as Sequin and his range-riders and the brilliant, but not military, Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar.
Sequin, after having been driven out of San Antonio by the speculators 1842 (who had the ear of Houston, but not Somerville), wound up in Mexican Laredo. The very competent General Ampudia immediately put him under a "convenient arrest" and made him swear to defend against "foreign aggression". True enough, Sequin would direct the cavalry at the Battle of Mier during Christmastide, 1842. The invaders, as all know, lost.
General Ampudia would also receive the American assault five years later, when General Taylor would arrive to begin the Mexican - American War. When all the dust settled, the Sequin family had actually regained much of their smaller properties in Texas, no thanks to Houston. And Sequin did have a lot of respect from Texians of all stripes and types…including mine…which carries forth to this day.
My mission in all of this is to complement Jack Ayoub because he knows this as well and / or better than do I. His works are worthy of all men and women to be received, and we give the Monitor our gratitude for allowing him to publish on your pages.
Sincerely,
David Chistian Newton
EL GRINGO VIEJO
