Sunday, February 5, 2012

Who Really Saved Texas?


Was it Jim Bowie?  After all, it was Bowie who decided to defend the Alamo, instead of destroying it, as Sam Houston had ordered.  If Santa Anna’s advance had not been delayed for almost two weeks, would Houston have had time to assemble an army to fight him.  Without the words “Remember the Alamo” burning in their souls, would the men at San Jacinto have fought as hard?

Was it William Barrett Travis?  After all, it was Travis who kept the defenders in the Alamo and prolonged the siege, when, on the second day, Bowie became too ill to command.  Why did Travis not lead a strategic withdrawal while it was still possible to escape?

Was it Sam Houston?  After all, it was Houston who defied public opinion and endured accusations of cowardice for weeks, while he ran from a fight with Santa Anna, until he was sure he could win it.  Why didn’t Houston try to negotiate with Santa Anna, or keep running until he had more men or the United States joined the fight?

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