Texans, have you heard of the celebrations? Where were you March second? One hundred and sixty four years ago Texians and some of our brothers were gathered in an effort to create an independent country. Where were you March sixth? In 1836 one hundred eighty-two Texians and some of our brothers were dying at the Alamo. These two events seem to get very little attention today. Has it been so long ago that we have forgotten the sacrifices our Texas founders and patriots made to escape the despotic rule of a Mexican government that decided to tear up it’s constitution? Have we forgotten those five hundred men under the command of Brother James Fannin who were executed near Goliad on March twenty seventh? What about the triumphant victory at San Jacinto on April twenty first, is it not worthy of notice? Ponder the importance of these events and you will certainly come to the conclusion, that they are worthy of our attention.

A number of people like myself have taken up the challenge to keep our heritage alive. This revolution was fought for the same basic and just reasons that our American Revolution had been fought for a generation before. Today let’s take a moment to remember the Alamo.

Ten days and nights the Texans guard
That for, repelling undismay’d
Each fierce assault for them prepar’d
Efficient succour still delay’d
 

Some thirty men came to their aid;
One hundred eighty-two then count;
And this small band resistance made
Against some thousands in amount.
 

They yet maintain a constant strife,
Though long protracted, day and night,
Resolv’d to sacrifice their life
Before they would attempt a flight.
Hugh Kerr 1838
 

One hundred eighty-two Texans and Americans gave their lives willingly for Texas. This battle slowed the advance of Santa Anna’s army, giving the settlers in East Texas time to hold consultations where they declared their independence from Mexico and began to assemble a citizen army. There were numerous opportunities for our heroic defenders to escape. Couriers including Brother James Butler Bonham entered and left the mission right up until the final hours. Of the one hundred eighty-two, thirty-two men had to fight their way in, to reinforce this doomed command.

Most Texans know some of the details of the battle. The names most remembered are those of three Masons, William Barret Travis, James Bowie, and Davy Crockett. Travis took the command from Colonel J.C. Neill in February, shortly before the Mexican Army arrived. Initially, command was shared with Bowie, until he fell ill with pneumonia on February twenty-third. Though he and Travis had some contentions, Bowie publicly threw his support to Travis because he knew the importance of their position.

Several pleas for help went unanswered, leaving these brave men to face approximately four thousand of Mexico’s best troops. The bombardment of the defenders began on the twenty fourth of February. The Texians were able to hold out until March sixth, partially because the Mexicans had traveled too quickly, leaving two twelve pounder cannons behind. Santa Anna decided to lay siege to the Alamo on the sixth despite the warnings of several of his officers. He and his troops soon discovered, what the British Army had found in New Orleans a decade earlier. They found out that a frontal attack on American riflemen behind breastworks, produced unacceptable casualties. Yes, this battle resulted in the deaths of one hundred eighty-two of Texas’ defenders, but it also decimated the best of Mexico’s army. Approximately one thousand five hundred Mexican soldiers were killed and another five hundred were wounded. This not only weakened the army, but it also crushed their spirit. Left etched in the Mexican soldier’s memory was the way the “Diablos Tejanos” fought.

Brother Travis summed it up well when he wrote Governor Smith on March third, “….the victory will cost the enemy so dear, that it will be worse for him than defeat. …..”. This gallant stand may have helped throw the Mexican Army into panic April 21, 1836 at the Battle of San Jacinto resulting in a miraculous victory for Texas. Again the “Diablos Tejanos” wrecked havoc upon Mexican troops, as they charged in yelling, “Remember the Alamo!”

All that we have here in Texas would not have been possible without the sacrifices made by our early patriots. So, now you have heard, I ask you to spread the word and begin the celebrations to honor our unique past, remembering that, ”Greater love hath no man than to give up his life for his brother.”

Masonic Moment, Jacques DeMolay #1390

March 9, 2000, Scott Hill Bumgardner

Master of Ceremonies