08/07/2021
I am now giving talks about the Texas Navy. I gave one recently to a wonderful chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. A man who is a descendant of Seguin was there and reminded me that the affair in our first book, the capture of the ship Pocket, caused a row in the United States. That is true. All of that happened after the incident and is not covered in the book. Though there were court proceedings, nothing came of them. The Texas Navy still accomplished the deed of getting needed supplies to the Texian army and keeping the same from the Mexican army, all at a time when Texas was desperate.
The months of March and April 1836 were harrowing for the very young country. Texas independence was declared March 2. Then the Alamo fell and in the same month 400 Texians were massacred after the Battle of Coleto Creek. The Mexican army was chasing Sam Houston and the Texian army across Texas. Civilians were being told to leave in advance and on a moment's notice. This civilian exodus has come to be called "The Runaway Scrape." My own ancestor was in it. There had been big storms and rivers were raging and these rivers had to be crossed. People were gathering on Galveston Island and there were not enough provisions for the army or the civilians. Into this picture comes the Texas Navy and the capture of the Pocket, delivering supplies and thwarting the Mexican plan to land more men in Texas.
Our trilogy of books tells this important and untold story of the Texas Navy. Included are child heroes in roles that children held in the days of sailing ships. And the books reflect the multi-cultural aspect of our wonderful state. The books are available on amazon.com. Search for Terrific Tales of the Texas Navy. You can also buy them at the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg or from me, [email protected].
