Vol. 38: No.3 2013 Notes Star of the Republic Museum continued on page 2- The Lottery of Death: The Story of the Mier Expedition While it appeared Texas’ troubles with Mexico ended with the battle at San Jacinto, Mexican forces continued to invade the Republic of Texas hoping to regain control. The Mexican invasions in Texas resulted in retaliations from the Texians. Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas, ordered Alexander Somervell to organize a militia in San Antonio and invade Mexico. Some of these invasions turned into plundering. Feeling his army ill equipped and undisciplined, Somervell ordered the troops to return home to be disbanded. About 300 of these disappointed men refused to return without a fight. Instead they elected William S. Fisher to command their army as they continued the plans to invade Mexico. By the time the militia reached the Rio Grande, they had run short on supplies. Crossing the Rio Grande, the Texians entered the town of Mier on December 23, 1842, demanding supplies: clothing, cattle, horses, firearms and rations, taking the Alcalde as a guarantee. The Texians, while waiting for the promised supplies at their campsite on the Texas side of the river, learned that approximately 700 Mexican soldiers led by General Pedro de Ampudia had gathered at Mier. The Texians unanimously voted to cross the river to engage the enemy. After 18 hours of fighting, both armies were running low on supplies and near defeat. The Texians surrendered and were forced to march towards Mexico City for imprisonment. However, almost 200 prisoners escaped near Matamoros. Once they had gone over 100 miles, the escapees decided to leave the road to flee through the mountains towards Texas. This was a grave error as there was very little water. Travel- ing on foot, they killed the fattest of horses and mules, jerking the meat for subsistence. Saddles were cut up to make sandals to protect feet from rock and thorns. Lack of water forced the men to obtain water from plants. The Mier Expedition: The Drawing of the Black Bean, by Frederic Remington, c. 1896, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Transcript
Vol. 38: No.3 2013
Notes
Star of the Republic Museum
continued on page 2-
The Lottery of Death: The Story of the Mier Expedition
While it appeared Texas’ troubles with Mexico ended with the battle at San Jacinto, Mexican forces continued to invade the Republic of Texas hoping to regain control.
The Mexican invasions in Texas resulted in retaliations from the Texians. Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas, ordered Alexander Somervell to organize a militia in San Antonio and invade Mexico. Some of these invasions turned into plundering. Feeling his army ill equipped and undisciplined, Somervell ordered the troops to return home to be disbanded.
About 300 of these disappointed men refused to return without a fi ght. Instead they elected William S. Fisher to command their army as they continued the plans to invade Mexico. By the time the militia reached the Rio Grande, they had run short on supplies. Crossing the Rio Grande, the Texians entered the town of Mier on December 23, 1842, demanding supplies: clothing, cattle, horses, fi rearms and rations, taking the Alcalde as a guarantee. The Texians, while waiting for the promised supplies at their campsite on the Texas side of the river, learned that approximately 700 Mexican soldiers led by General Pedro de Ampudia had gathered at Mier. The Texians unanimously voted to cross the river to engage the enemy. After 18 hours of fi ghting, both armies were running low on supplies and near defeat.
The Texians surrendered and were forced to march towards Mexico City for imprisonment. However, almost 200 prisoners escaped near Matamoros. Once they had gone over 100 miles, the escapees decided to leave the road to fl ee through the mountains towards Texas. This was a grave error as there was very little water. Travel-ing on foot, they killed the fattest of horses and mules, jerking the meat for subsistence. Saddles were cut up to make sandals to protect feet from rock and thorns. Lack of water forced the men to obtain water from plants.
The Mier Expedition: The Drawing of the Black Bean, by Frederic Remington, c. 1896, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
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continued from page 1-
Plan of Mier: The Texian Camp and Attack on the City,” showing the encampments of the Texians on the east side of the Rio Grande and the Mexican cavalry, infantry, and artillery on December 25 and 26, 1842. Harper and Bro., New York, Publishers. -From the Museum collection
Survival methods also included drinking their own urine, chewing prickly pear for moisture and rubbing cold dirt and gravel on chests and stomachs to cool their fevers.
Many of the men died from starvation, thirst, and exposure in the mountains. Those who survived were eventually discovered by the enemy. Tied up with rawhide strings and later by handcuffs of iron, the men were marched to Salado by order of Santa Anna.
Every 10th Texian would be doomed in a lottery of death. A Mexican decree stated that of the total 176 that were recaptured, 17 must die. On March 25, seventeen black beans along with 159 white beans were placed in a pot. White beans meant survival. Those drawing black beans were shot brutally in the heads and faces. Some of the Mexican officers witnessing the massacre shed tears. Survivors of the lottery were imprisoned in Mexico City and later in Perote Prison near Mexico City, where many escaped or suffered starvation, disease, and death. Some
prisoners however, remained and were released in September 1844. In 1848 the bodies of the dead were returned from Mexico to be buried at Monument Hill, near La Grange.
The Mier Expedition was not a mis-sion planned by the Texian militia. It was the last and most disastrous of the raiding expeditions from Texas south of the Nueces River during the days of the Republic of Texas.
“It is true the men went without orders,” President Sam Houston wrote, “and so far as that was con-cerned, the Government of Texas was not responsible; and the men thereby placed themselves out of the protection of the rules of war.”
Teachers Learn about Toy Time
Who says playing isn’t educational? Albert Einstein described play as “the highest form of research.” In that spirit, twenty-fi ve educators attended “The Science and History of Fun: Toy Time,” a teacher workshop about integrating science, history, and culture into the curriculum. The partici-pants explored an interactive exhibit of giant versions of old-fashioned folk toys and created classroom activities around the science principles that made the toys work. They also saw the same principles at work on Barrington Farm and located additional artifacts that employed these prin-ciples throughout the museum. At the end of the workshop, one teacher commented that it was “the most enjoyable workshop ever attended.” Another commented that it was “very worthwhile and worth the drive!”
Local Student is Recognized at National History Day Diego Regalado from Navasota High School received high honors at the 34th Annual National History Day contest held in College Park, Mary-land from June 9-13, 2013. Regalado presented his Senior Individual Exhibit titled “Reform, Reorganize, Succeed: The Goldwater Nichols Act.” His entry ranked 1st at the Brazos Valley Regional History Fair sponsored by the Star of the Republic Museum in February. He placed 2nd at the state competition in early May, and eventually ranked 14th in the nation at National History Day. In all, 83 students represented Texas at the national competition and 31% of their entries ranked 14th in the nation or better. Stephen Cure, Director of Educational Services for the Texas State Historical Associa-tion, the sponsor of Texas History Day said, “Over fi fty-fi ve thousand students across Texas competed at the local level in 2013 to earn the opportunity to represent Texas in this contest, which sees over 2,800 students from 50 states, 2 territories, the District of Columbia, and several other affi liates in foreign countries compete to see who has the best history research and presentation skills. Texas students triumphed over tremendous competition.”
Upcoming Events Native Americans in TexasDuring the month of November, the Star of the Republic Museum offers an expanded, interac-tive program about the first “Texans.” The program is offered for a minimum of 20 students. Learn how the Native Americans used furs, bones, and plants to create items for everyday use. 45 minutes.
Pre-K through 2nd Grade Cost: $1.00 per student
Home School DaysEvery Thursday in October, the Star of the Republic Museum and Barrington Living History Farm will pres-ent ChildhoodinEarlyTexas,an interactive, hands-on program for the entire family. Discover what life was like in Texas for a child in the mid-19th century. Learn about childhood chores, clothes, and schools, and make some old-fashioned toys to take home. No minimum group size required. Reservations and pre-payment required: call (936) 878-2461, ext. 236. Limited space available.
Night at the Star of the Republic MuseumThe Star of the Republic Museum will present NightattheStaroftheRepublicMuseumon Saturday, November 2. From 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the lights will go down and the museum’s exhibits will come to life! Explore the museum by flashlight—but BEWARE of what’s around the corner! Cost: $5/adult, $3/student
