Remember the Alamo, but also remember Joe
ø
It is right that we remember the Alamo;
It is right that we remember heroes;
It is right that we remember valor, sacrifice, and honor;
It is right that we remember the cost of independence;
Remember!
On March 6, 1836, 185 years ago today. Mexican Dictator Santa Anna ordered his forces laying siege to the Alamo to end the 13 days of glory by Texian defenders that gave life to a revolution that would forge the Republic of Texas.
After a bloody battle lasting less than two hours, the Alamo fell. Brave Texian defenders lay dead. Some had illustrious names like Crockett, Bowie, and Travis that still resonate loudly, while the names of many their comrades are more quietly preserved. Only one defender, whose parents could attest he was Catholic, was given burial, Santa Anna ordered the bodies of the other defenders burned.
That pyre kindled a fire that still burns in the heart of Texas and Texans, wherever they may be.
Contrary to common understanding and historical portrayals, however, not all the defenders died to the strains of El Degüello that day.
At least one defender of the Alamo survived.
It is right to remember heroes. It is wrong that too many of us overlook how those tales of heroism came to us. The heroic dead needed voice and Joe, an enslaved man, lived to tell the tale with clarity. Joe’s loyalty and articulation preserved heroism that would otherwise have been lost to history.
By historical accounts we trust for other facets of the battle, Joe endured the siege and he also took to the ramparts with his master, Col. Travis as the strains of El Degüello sounded on the morning of the final battle.Joe fought by Travis’ side, firing in defense of the Alamo, weathering the onslaught of fire that killed Travis before retreating to their shared barrack.
Joe was also wounded when captured. He was ultimately interrogated and released by Santa Anna.
It is right then that we also remember Joe as a defender of the Alamo.
God Bless Texas.
K. Lee Lerner’s portfolio covering science and global issues includes multiple RUSA Book and Media Awards, books named Outstanding Academic Titles, and two global circumnavigations. He serves as an advisor, editor, and contributor to respected international news and academic resources. Additional information and selected writings are available at scholar.harvard.edu/kleelerner and via harvard.academia.edu/kleelerner. Photo and content: ©K. Lee Lerner. LMG (London, Paris, Cambridge). All rights reserved.
