On Cinco de Mayo, the entire valley will be celebrating the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla, when in 1862, General Ignacio Zaragoza and his Mexican soldiers defeated the French army.
But, who celebrates the Texas victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, when General Sam Houston and his Texas soldiers defeated General Santa Ana and his Mexican army to win the war for Texas independence?
This Texas victory was one of the most decisive military victory in Texas and American history, while only suffering nine Texas fatalities, Mexico suffered 600 fatalities and over 650 Mexican soldiers were taken prisoner.
On the battlefield that day, Capt. Juan Seguin and his 20 Tejanos fought alongside General Houston and his soldiers, according to the memoirs of Seguin.
Texas history has always assumed there were only 20 Tejanos who were fighting for Texas independence that day, but now according to a recently discovered petition to the state comptrollers office for pensions that were not granted to Tejanos who fought for Texas independence, the more correct figure is now closer to almost 120.
General Houston ordered 1st Lt. Salvador Flores, Seguin’s second in command, to take 25 Tejanos to patrol the ranches and settlements south of San Antonio against Indian raids.
About 20 Tejanos, including Blas Herrera, Seguin’s favorite scout, were transferred to Deaf Smith company of scouts, about 30 Tejanos were sent eastward to escort and protect Texas Families, three men were sick and left at San Felipe, at least 10 were with the baggage at Harrisburg, and about five remained behind to take care of the horses, at the moment of the Battle of San Jacinto.
On Friday, April 21, I will be flying my Texas flag to honor and remember the bravery and courage of all those Texans and Tejanos who fought and died for Texas independence. \ And whether those Tejanos were on the battlefield or serving as guides,guards,scouts, messengers, infantry, or calvary, they were fighting for Texas against Mexico. VIVA TEJAS Y VIVAN LOS TEJANOS.
Jack Ayoub Harlingen
