The Daughters of the Republic of Texas will recognize heroes on September 18 with Texas Heroes Day
The DRT has designated Sept. 18to honor and preserve the memory of the volunteer soldiers who died defending the Republic of Texas and her independence, and to pay tribute to the men and women of the military, both past and present, who serve Texas. Special emphasis is placed on honoring those of the 1842 Dawson Massacre and Mier Expedition.
September 18 is a day of multiple significance in Texas History. On September 18, 1842, thirty-six volunteer Texan soldiers were killed on the field of battle in the Dawson Massacre. The battle took place near Salado Creek, a few miles northeast of San Antonio, during a second invasion of the Mexican army. Three survivors escaped to tell the story, and fifteen others were taken prisoner by Mexican soldiers and marched to Perote Prison in Veracruz, Mexico. Events which followed led to the failed Mier Expedition, whose fate was determined by the “Black Beans of Death” lottery ordered by Santa Anna. Seventeen volunteer Texas soldiers were executed. In 1847-48, efforts to retrieve the remains of these soldiers was successful and they were returned to Fayette County.
On September 18, 1848, the remains of those who died in the Dawson Massacre, Perote Prison, and others who drew the “Black Beans of Death” in the Mier Expedition were buried at Monument Hill, a site in Fayette County overlooking the Colorado River. Sam Houston and other dignitaries were among more than 1,000 people who attended the ceremony, where the remains were buried with full military honors.
For more than 160 years, descendants of these brave Texans have returned to Monument Hill on the Saturday closest to September 18 to honor these fallen heroes and commemorate the anniversary of September 18 events. Since 2005, Monument Hill State Historic Site in LaGrange has celebrated Texas Heroes Day on the weekend closest to September 18. The annual celebration has grown with the efforts of the Texas Parks personnel, supported by The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Monument Hill Chapter, and Sons of the Republic of Texas. Activities during the celebration now include artisan demonstrations, re-enactors, and musicians. The Monument Hill Historic Site is located one mile south of La Grange, Texas near U.S. Highway 77. For more information, call (979) 968- 5658 or visit the Texas Parks website: http://www.tpwd. state.tx.us/calendar/texasheroes-day-1.
Thes are two of twelve Texas Honor Days celebrated by DRT. Others include Mirabeau B. Lamar Day, January 26; Texas Statehood Day, February 19; Texas Independence & Flag Day, March 2; Alamo Heroes Day, March 6; Goliad Heroes Day, March 27; Texas History Month, March1-31; San Jacinto Day, April 21; Texian Navy Day, 3rd Saturday in September; Gonzales Day, October 2; Stephen F. Austin’s Birthday, November 3; and The DRT Founder’s Day, November 6. For more information about Texas Honor Days, visit the DRT website: www.drtinfo.org.
The third Saturday in September of each year is Texian Navy Day. Texans are encouraged to fly their Texas flags and observe the day in remembrance of the Texian Navy and the courage displayed by those at sea who played a vital role in securing and maintaining the independence of Texas.
The Texian Navy was mostly forgotten until 1954, when the Daughters of the Republic of Texas designated recognition and took the idea of state recognition to Governor Alan Shivers. In 1955, Governor Shivers proclaimed September 3 as Texian Navy Day. Governors since have proclaimed recognition of the Texian Navy, and in 2005, Texian Navy Day received permanent recognition by the Texas Legislature, to be observed
The third Saturday in September of each year is Texian Navy Day. Texans are encouraged to fly their Texas flags and observe the day in remembrance of the Texian Navy and the courage displayed by those at sea who played a vital role in securing and maintaining the independence of Texas.
The Texian Navy was mostly forgotten until 1954, when the Daughters of the Republic of Texas designated recognition and took the idea of state recognition to Governor Alan Shivers. In 1955, Governor Shivers proclaimed September 3 as Texian Navy Day. Governors since have proclaimed recognition of the Texian Navy, and in 2005, Texian Navy Day received permanent recognition by the Texas Legislature, to be observed each year with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Why is Texian Navy Day important? A bit of Texas history can explain.
Three Texas Navies have served Texans since 1835: the first established in November 1835; the second in 1839; and the third, a commemorative organization, in 1958. Though the fleets were very small and the time of service very short, the contributions made by the Texas Navy to the freedom and protection of Texans should not be overlooked.
The First Texas Navy was comprised of four ships: the Liberty, the Independence, the Brutus, and the Invincible. They protected the coastline and prevented the Mexican Army from landing soldiers and supplies on Texas soil. Much needed munitions were supplied by the Texan Navy to the Texan Army from captured Mexican vessels. Following Texas’ independence on April 21, 1836, the navy continued until mid-1837, by which time all four ships had been lost: one sold, one captured, and two wrecked.
The Second Texas Navy was formally organized in March 1839 when the steamship, Zavala, was commissioned. Six new ships arrived to join the Zavala between June 1839 and
April 1840: the San Jacinto, the San Antonio, the San Bernard, the Wharton, the Austin, and the Archer. They patrolled the Gulf of Mexico for three years, protecting the Texas coastline and dominating the Mexican naval fleet. The Second Texan Navy remained until it was transferred into the United States Navy after annexation.
The Third Texas Navy was established on April 21, 1958, by Governor Price Daniel. He proclaimed the reactivation of the Texas Navy as a patriotic organization and an arm of the civil defense of the State of Texas. Now known as the Texas Navy Association, the organization is devoted to preserving the history of the three Texas Navies.