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Presidents and Paranoia: Galveston's Role in the Texas Revolution
During the Texas Revolution, Galveston Island served as a vital stronghold, supply hub, and temporary capital for the fledgling Republic of Texas. Long before its incorporation as a city, this barrier island was a center of pirate diplomacy, military strategy, and last-resort refuge during the most desperate days of the fight for independence. Galveston's overlooked role in the revolution was critical—not for its battles, but for its grit, geography, and timely support.
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When you think of the Texas Revolution, what do you picture? You might already know that some stories and personalities are way more famous than others. Do you imagine the siege at the Alamo? Or maybe even the victory at San Jacinto? Big battles, big Texas names. Well, the spirit of revolution also landed on Galveston's shores long before the Republic of Texas won its independence in 1836.
Speaker 0:The Little Barrier Island of Galveston wasn't just a footnote in Texas history. It was a launching point, a hideout, a stronghold, and for a short but intense moment, it was even the capital of a republic fighting for survival. From pirate diplomacy and rebel forts to political refugees sleeping on the beach, here's how Galveston Island shaped, sheltered and stood ready during one of the most dramatic moments in Texas history. Let's take it back to the very early 1800s. The land that we now know as Texas was hotly contested territory. The Spanish Empire was losing control of its colonies in the Americas, including Mexico, which included parts of Texas. The Mexican War for Independence against Spain lasted for over 10 years, between 1810 and 1821. At the time, texas was still firmly under Spanish rule. Mexico's revolution wouldn't succeed until 1821. This war created unstable borders and an atmosphere of rebellion. It wasn't just the Spanish and Mexican governments vying for control over the area, anglo-american settlers poured in from over the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River and through Louisiana and the Ozark Mountains. As Mexico's war for independence raged on, these settlers often joined the fight against the Spanish crown. Though many of these volunteers were looking to serve their own economic or political interests in Texas, volunteers were looking to serve their own economic or political interests in Texas.
Speaker 0:In 1819, the United States and Spain signed the Adams-Onis Treaty. This treaty formalized the boundary between the two countries and gave us the familiar shape of the Texas' eastern and northern borders. But not everyone living on these newly drawn lines were ready to accept them. On the US side, men in Natchez, mississippi, gathered to launch an expedition into Texas against the Spanish, looking to carve out their own piece of Texas. A man named James Long led this expedition, and his forces rallied at Nacogdoches that summer. Meanwhile, on Galveston Island, jean Lafitte was based here at a settlement called Campeche. Jean Lafitte, a French pirate and privateer, had established a base in Galveston around 1817, using it as a strategic hub for smuggling and occasional alliances with revolutionaries. Although he wasn't really actively helpful to anyone's political cause, lafitte was a pirate and privateer and if another rebellion could serve his interest, lafitte would be of assistance if he could make a profit. So while the pirate Jean Lafitte maintained control over Galveston Island across the entrance to Galveston Bay at the Bolivar Peninsula, a new military fort was under construction. When the Longs arrived on the Texas coast, bolivar was a wild, untamed coastline. The Long expedition just didn't have enough support to succeed this time around. But in one final rally on September 19, 1821, long and just 52 men sailed from Port Bolivar to attempt to claim his stake in Texas. Long was eventually captured before being taken to Mexico City. Six months later he was shot and killed, bringing this revolutionary expedition to an end.
Speaker 0:At the same time, mexico won its independence from Spain. At first, this new Mexican government welcomed Anglo-Americans into Texas, encouraging them to settle and build communities. Ironically, as more and more settlers flooded in, those in power in Mexico grew concerned about the influence of the United States. On April 6, 1830, a new law was passed prohibiting immigration from the United States and outlawing further introduction of slaves into Mexico. In addition, many Hispanic Texans had their own problems with the powers that be. Remember, mexico was still a new country and there were lots of disagreements about how to run it. General Santa Anna, in whom you've heard of if you spent a day in Texas history class, was a pretty controversial character during these years, but he held a lot of power for a very long time in Mexico, whether he was formally in office or not. To put it simply, plenty of people in Texas thought they could do a better job of administering a government for both the Tejanos and the settlers. Tejanos are Texans of Mexican descent who had lived in the region for generations. They were also divided. Some supported the rebellion, hoping for local autonomy, while others remained loyal to Mexico.
Speaker 0:The Texas Revolution formally began on October 2, 1835, with the Battle of Gonzales. A provisional government was formed in November and Sam Houston was selected to head a new formal army. From here we move to the revolution itself. Over the next few months, the Texans are nearly wiped out by the Mexican army, but an extraordinary Texan victory at San Jacinto saves the Republic. Where is Galveston in all of this? Throughout the war, the island remained an important port for the Texas Navy. Beyond serving as a military refuge, galveston also became a crucial supply hub. Ships carrying food, arms and volunteers arrived through the island, bolstering the Texian army's resistance as the revolution raged on, santa Ana's forces pushed Houston's army, along with with many civilians, further and further eastward, from the Rio Grande toward Louisiana. According to historian Gary Cartwright quote almost everyone agreed Galveston Island would be the last refuge for the new Republic of Texas. On March 2nd 1836, texan leaders formally declared independence from Mexico. A couple of weeks later, on March 17th, david Burnett was elected interim president of the government, which then moved to Harrisburg, just south of Houston.
Speaker 0:During the final weeks of the Texas Revolution, galveston became a key refuge during the chaotic and desperate period known as the Runaway Scrape. After the fall of the Alamo and the Goliad Massacre, fear swept through Texan settlements as news spread that Santa Ana's army was advancing rapidly across the region. Civilians fled their homes en masse, heading east and toward the coast, many with the hope of reaching Galveston Island. Santa Ana's forces were marching quickly into the area. On April 13th, just two days before Mexican forces reached Harrisburg, president Bernett, his family and the functioning government of the Republic of Texas retreated to Galveston. Among them were government officials, soldiers, families and ordinary settlers, all unsure if the Republic would survive.
Speaker 0:For a time, the island served as the Republic's temporary capital. Galveston Island, though barely developed, became a temporary sanctuary for the provisional government and refugees, even as food and shelter were in short supply. During this bleak moment in the revolution, galveston was seen as the last safe place, left one final foothold if the revolution had failed, galveston was an island, of course, so the provisional government could escape if needed. With Galveston as their base, the small but daring Texas Navy launched operations that disrupted Mexican supply lines and defended the coastline, buying time for the revolution on land, giving Sam Houston and the Texas Army a chance to take out the Mexican forces. At this point, the Texan Navy consisted of only three ships the Invincible, the Brutus and the Independents, and all three were stationed around the island to defend it.
Speaker 0:Even during the revolution, foreign eyes, especially in the US, were watching the Republic's fight in Galveston closely, as the island was a potential point for aid and influence in Texas' future. But Galveston, not even incorporated as a city, wasn't exactly prepared for this. There was only one permanent building on the island, a Mexican custom house. According to historian Gary Cartwright, the newcomers to the island slept on the sand under borrowed blankets. Fear, panic and total confusion gripped the island. There was an outbreak of fever and the threat of starvation For about a week, those on the island worked to secure their position. Invasion seemed imminent and Burnet declared martial law on the island. To maintain order, every male from the ages of 16 to 56 was mustered for the Texas militia. A new fortification was built, built only of sand, the only available material, and this new fort was called Fort Travis, in memory of the commander of the Alamo.
Speaker 0:Meanwhile, about 40 miles north of the island, on the mainland, the Texan army was back with a vengeance. The Battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21st, providing a fast and decisive victory for the Texans. The Mexican forces there were decimated and Santa Ana himself was captured. A small group led by a man named RJ Calder was sent to deliver the good news to Galveston. However, burnett and his government were effectively cut off from communication with the army, and it took five days for the men to reach Galveston.
Speaker 0:Everyone on the island was anxious for reports of the revolution. In his memoirs, calder describes the frenzy of excitement and irrational seizure of paranoia that greeted their message of victory. Ships anchored in the bay fired salutes. Men, women and children danced on the beach. A woman who had just given birth to twins insisted on hearing the details of San Jacinto before she agreed to rest. Many refugees refused to believe or accept the news. Some even accused Calder and the others of being spies.
Speaker 0:Despite this, people still considered the Mexican army a potential threat and the mood remained tense on the island. At one point, the Mexican Colonel James Morgan, the island's commandant, galloped into the group, waving his sword and calling the men to arms. A lookout had reported Mexican troops were invading the west end of the island. However, this turned out to be another fit of paranoia. There were no Mexican soldiers, only laundry drying in the breeze that had been mistakenly identified as Mexican troops marching east. In the immediate aftermath, bernat and his government left the island, while some Texan forces remained Captured. Mexican troops were brought to be held prisoner on the west end. Cartwright notes that these conditions were totally miserable. Both Texans and Mexicans alike spent a hellish summer on the island.
Speaker 0:Texas independence was formally recognized on May 14, 1836. Over the next nine years, galveston Island grew and continued to serve the Republic as an important port. After some political and financial wheeling and dealing, the city of Galveston was incorporated in 1839. Even before the beginning of the Revolution, the island played an important role in the function and control of Texas. Plenty of early settlers saw Galveston's strategic and geographic benefits, and it was literally the last place that the first provisional president of Texas was willing to surrender.
Speaker 0:So the next time someone brings up the Texas Revolution and rattles off names like the Alamo or San Jacinto, you can remind them. Galveston was more than just a footnote. Galveston's revolutionary legacy set the stage for its rise as the republic's primary port and eventually one of the most important cities in 19th century Texas. Even without a single defining battle, galveston's contributions logistics, diplomacy, refuge and resistance were critical to the Texan cause. It was a lifeline, a stronghold, for a brief moment even a capital. This little strip of sand in the Gulf was where hope held on when things were falling apart elsewhere. Galveston Island Resilient, strategic and just stubborn enough to matter when it counts.
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