Don't Mess with (Armed) Texans

NRO ^ | April 08, 2004 | Dave Kopel

[archy]

As the Texans advanced with their rifles and Bowie knives, a single fife and a single drum played the love song "Will You Come to the Bower?"

Will you come to the bower I have shaded for you?
I have decked it with roses, all spangled with dew.
Will you, will you, will you, will you come to my bower?
Will you, will you, will you, will you come to my bower?

There beneath this clad bower on roses we'll rest,
With a smile lights the eyes of the girl that I love best.
Will you, will you, will you, will you will you come to my bower?br> Will you, will you, will you, will you will you come to my bower?

An odd song for combat? Not to the Texans, who were fighting to protect their wives and families.

They should also have sung this 'un.

[Redbob]

"The defenders of the Alamo did not sacrifice their lives in vain; they gained Sam Houston crucial time to rally the Texan people."

This is a myth.
Sam Houston could not come to the Alamo until he had been given command of the volunteer soldiers; up until about the time of the fall of the Alamo, Houston only commanded the "regular" Army of Texas.

For the truth on this and other Alamo myths, go to
Alamo Myths

[Redbob]

Out of at least 189 defenders killed at the Alamo, only 9 were "Tejanos" of Mexican extraction.

By contrast, 30 are known to have come from Tennessee.

[Shooter 2.5]

Unfortunately, there are comments like this from the other side.

http://www.ucomics.com/lacucaracha/2004/04/11/

[BJClinton]

Son of Hermann the German bump!