San Jacinto

[Birdwatcher]

Well, finally done most of the pantheon of Texas War of Independence battles, which begins with Gonzales ("Come and Take It") and Mission Concepcion in October. Battle of Bexar in December, Alamo in February and March, Goliad at the end of March, and finally San Jacinto in April.

Good thing too, as by April things can be HOT and muggy and San Jacinto a mosquito fest extraordinaire.

Lucked out this time, highs in the 70's and a stiff wind blowing to keep the bugs off 8)

First off, here's me in my familiar rig....

Wool slouch hat is hanging off of my bullet flask which is hanging from my woven wool sash. That floppy hat just flips around too much in any sort of wind, used my favorite back-up; a yard of coarse sumac-dyed linen tied around my head. Actually I ain't standing crooked; the loose wool vest is just pulled off center is all by the weight of my shooting bag, I sowed a hatchet sheath to the back of it and there's a lightweight little "Kentucky Belt Axe" AKA "Ft Miegs Axe" hanging from it now. It does weigh down the bag a big but night and day more convenient that wearing it in my sash.

Coarse linen work shirt, woven wool sash around my waist in which is wrapped a cheapo Indian repro of this 1830's knife....

Not my idea of a useful carry knife but this was the Bowie era after all.

Sumac-dyed cotton duck pants, Fall Creek Sutler's brogans.

Lining up for a weapons function check....

A sensible thing in that right before the events everyone has to demonstrate that their firearm actually goes off. Flinters are usually an easy fix, caplocks can be frustrating; most of 'em are patent breech and if the channel from cap to main charge is clogged anywhere it can be a PITA to fix without disassembly/cleaning.

Here's two guys, caplocks both, attempting to "clear their jams" have failed to ignite on the first go round....

These events are loosely juried to the extent that a couple of guys participated with 1853 Enfield Rifle-Muskets. Also, some of the wardrobe items present were modern Country and Western wear.

Anyhoo... looking towards the Mexican camp from the Texian camp, Mexican camp near the base of the victory monument, maybe 300 yards away across that field.

All I gotta do for these things is dress up, but I'm very much impressed by those who take the time to bring oxen or horses.

Gotta run, more pics later....

Birdwatcher

 

[Birdwatcher]

I don't have any photos of the shooting. Folks poured in around 10am, there were sporadic cannon demos through the day and marching drills with us for kids etc.

About 2pm there was a mounted skirmish on the field between Mexican and Texian, a handful on either side. Wish I had better pics of the horse guys, also, kudos to those playing Mexicans at all these events. Texicans can pretty much dress how we want; gentleman, scout, gambler, squatter or whatever, Mexicans have to wear those wool uniforms and tall shakos and look somewhat disciplined all the time.

Worthy of praise too are the cannon guys; a considerable investment of time and money for those who own 'em, and you need a trained crew to show up every time you use them. Not only that but far more powder burned and attendant risk. Here was the twin sisters (the two cannon present on the US side) earlier in the day and then at the fight. The field was rigged with pyrotechnics so that fired shells would "explode" at the other end.....

Around 3pm we skirmished, us Texians forming three open ranks, advancing on to the field and firing ragged volleys while advancing and retreating. Prob'ly around ten rounds total. One thing at these events you get practice in rapid fire and fast reloading of whatever you brung, even tho' said reloading consists only of powder from paper cartridges (we roll our own before the event and bring 'em). The main event was about thirty minutes later; we formed up, advanced on the unwary Mexican camp, fired a volley and charged and there it was.

To really camp at these things ya gotta get there Friday afternoon. San Jacinto is a one-day event, with the option of staying over Saturday night but most folks roll out. Goliad is a Saturday/Sunday event with a two-night camp if you get there Friday. At San Jacinto they insist on separate men and women's camps which seems odd.

Here's the men's camp obscured by drifting cannon smoke during a demonstration....

'Nother shot of the men's camp, showing the battleship Texas moored just over the berm. This field is right at sea level, on the modern shipping canal, must of the original field being underwater now as the whole area has also subsided about ten feet since back in the days.

Same battleship, from the womans' side. This was the camp kitchen, and great things were accomplished in those pots, the food was both free and excellent....

'Nother shot from the womans' camp....

Finally, to close out the photos I have, a man after my own heart, I too have a similar simple tarp set-up, tho' this one is Sunforger canvas whereas mine is just a painters' cotton drop cloth dyed with pecan husks. Ain't actually used it at one of these yet on account of this one I drove there overnight and left that evening and Goliad we just slept out on the ground.

One of the cooler thing about these reenactments is the people you meet. This particular gentleman is a retired police detective and current preacher.
Looking at the photo, I'm guessing his clothing could be pecan-dyed, has the right reddish-brown tone.

Birdwatcher

 

[Birdwatcher]

I don't have any photos of the shooting. Folks poured in around 10am, there were sporadic cannon demos through the day and marching drills with us for kids etc.

About 2pm there was a mounted skirmish on the field between Mexican and Texian, a handful on either side. Wish I had better pics of the horse guys, also, kudos to those playing Mexicans at all these events. Texicans can pretty much dress how we want; gentleman, scout, gambler, squatter or whatever, Mexicans have to wear those wool uniforms and tall shakos and look somewhat disciplined all the time.

Worthy of praise too are the cannon guys; a considerable investment of time and money for those who own 'em, and you need a trained crew to show up every time you use them. Not only that but far more powder burned and attendant risk. Here was the twin sisters (the two cannon present on the US side) earlier in the day and then at the fight. The field was rigged with pyrotechnics so that fired shells would "explode" at the other end.....

Around 3pm we skirmished, us Texians forming three open ranks, advancing on to the field and firing ragged volleys while advancing and retreating. Prob'ly around ten rounds total. One thing at these events you get practice in rapid fire and fast reloading of whatever you brung, even tho' said reloading consists only of powder from paper cartridges (we roll our own before the event and bring 'em). The main event was about thirty minutes later; we formed up, advanced on the unwary Mexican camp, fired a volley and charged and there it was.

To really camp at these things ya gotta get there Friday afternoon. San Jacinto is a one-day event, with the option of staying over Saturday night but most folks roll out. Goliad is a Saturday/Sunday event with a two-night camp if you get there Friday. At San Jacinto they insist on separate men and women's camps which seems odd.

Here's the men's camp obscured by drifting cannon smoke during a demonstration....

'Nother shot of the men's camp, showing the battleship Texas moored just over the berm. This field is right at sea level, on the modern shipping canal, must of the original field being underwater now as the whole area has also subsided about ten feet since back in the days.

Same battleship, from the womans' side. This was the camp kitchen, and great things were accomplished in those pots, the food was both free and excellent....

'Nother shot from the womans' camp....

Finally, to close out the photos I have, a man after my own heart, I too have a similar simple tarp set-up, tho' this one is Sunforger canvas whereas mine is just a painters' cotton drop cloth dyed with pecan husks. Ain't actually used it at one of these yet on account of this one I drove there overnight and left that evening and Goliad we just slept out on the ground.

One of the cooler thing about these reenactments is the people you meet. This particular gentleman is a retired police detective and current preacher.
Looking at the photo, I'm guessing his clothing could be pecan-dyed, has the right reddish-brown tone.

Birdwatcher

 

[BillinOregon]

Birdwatcher, I really want to thank you for posting so many wonderful photos of the Texas events. This report is just outstanding. Sure makes me wish I were there for at least one of these. I was surprised to see the battleship so close by. All we have left of the battleship USS Oregon, launched in 1893, is her mast, in downtown Portland.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Wow, what a turn-out! When I think back to the late 60's & 70's when the "Texas Army" gang started going out on San Jacinto Day, this looks like a major production. Outfits were just as varied then too. Back then it was a lot of Zouaves, DGW Kentuckies, etc., though a few guys used originals or hand-made long rifles. One year, we actually held the ceremony aboard the Texas herself, firing from near the starboard side entry ramp. They had a bunch of chairs set up to our right for dignitaries, from the Lt. Gov. on down. I won everlasting fame for wadding with fresh clover and raining it down over the Honchos thanks to a big bored musket and a convenient north wind! I wonder how many of the original gang is still at it, haven't heard from any of them in years.

I noticed that in the photo, first group shot below your knife photo, the second figure from the left appears to be holding a Baker Rifle! Find that very interesting since part of the haul from the battle was listed as "yeagers with sabers", obviously Baker Rifles with their sword bayonets. These were stored in the Capitol basement for years though have long since disappeared, possible victims of the great fire or Civil War use, folks still appear to hope to find one...thanks for the shots, brought back some fond memories.

Oh, did anybody get to play Emily Morgan? :haha:

 

[Wes/Tex]

Oops, too late to correct the above...the convenient wind was from the south! Where's my compass?

 

[Birdwatcher]

Sir, you have an excellent eye.

That particular gentleman flies in from the Northeast at least three times each year to participate in these events, including the Alamo.

I believe he uses a Baker rifle because it is easier to transport than a full-sized musket.

That particular gun is an Indian import.

Birdwatcher

 

[loco6725]

Great job!!!