From the TVC Book: Tejano Volunteer Company

Right before the start of the Texas Revolution, many heard the call for Texas Freedom and Independence, and numerous individuals began to organize regional militias. They formed militias throughout Texas and many states of the Union to support Texas's fight for independence. 

• Alabama Red Rovers (Courtland, Alabama)

• Georgia Battalion of Permanent Volunteers (Macon, Georgia)

• Huntsville Rovers (Huntsville, Alabama)

• Lynchburg Volunteer Company

• Kentucky Mustangs

• Mississippi Guards

• Missouri Invincibles

• Mobile Greys (Mobile, Alabama)

• Natchez Mustangs (Natchez, Mississippi)

• New Orleans Greys (New Orleans, Louisiana)

• 1st New York Battalion

• 2nd New York Battalion

• North Carolina Volunteers

• Tennessee Mounted Volunteers (Tennessee Volunteers)

• Gonzales Mounted Volunteers

• Harrisburg Volunteer Company

• Matagorda Volunteer Company

• Paducah Volunteer Company

• San Antonio Greys

These militia groups and others would play their role in this Texas Revolution.

San Antonio de Béxar, Texas's most prominent and wealthiest city, would organize its militia of this area's brave young vaqueros and rancheros. 

On a hot Monday afternoon, September 28, 1835, a historic meeting occurred at the Flores de Abrego Ranch (Manuel and Salvador Flores' family home) near Floresville. Young, eligible volunteers of Bexar arrived to meet with a young, aggressive, determined leader, Juan Seguin. Everybody attending knew him personally. That evening they committed together to form a military unit, their area militia, to engage in the fight for Texas freedom. All of the 61 men in attendance had been friends since childhood. 

Chava was shocked by how many local men under 20 showed up. For example, Carlos Despalier, Bowie's protégé and adopted son, attended when he was just 17 years old. It's hard to imagine today, but the youngest attendee at that famous revolutionary gathering was only 15. He was a very brave and mature 15-year-old named Luis Castañon.

Everybody knew everybody. It was more like a family reunion than a revolutionary meeting. Seguin's wife, María Gertrudis Flores de Abrego, sister of the Fighting Flores, and the Flores de Abrego clan ladies prepared food and drinks for the occasion.

Salvador (Chava) opened the meeting by reminding everyone of the dire situation that confronted them. He then introduced what he called his brother-in-law and best man to lead this band of Tejanos. With that, Juan Seguin addressed the group.

"My friends and compatriots, we have known that this moment would come, and now it is here. The time has come to act. There is no turning back from this point forward. Hermanos - raise a glass," and Seguin raised his glass in the air and shouted – "For Freedom!" Chava added proudly, "For Family!" and two of the Courbiere brothers, Antonio and Fernando, added in unison - "For Texas!"

After the cheering subsided, Seguin stated his famous quote to the group, "Texas will be free and independent – or we should die in glorious combat!"

On September 28, 1835, 61 men entered that meeting room as young vaqueros. They left as committed revolutionaries, a group of freedom fighters comprised of childhood friends with strong, close relations. These men committed together to form a military unit, their area militia, and engage in the fight for Texas independence. Little did they know that in just four days, a cannon shot in Gonzales would change Texas forever. 

That historic meeting at the Flores de Abrego Ranch gave birth to the San Antonio Fighting Militia, known as the Tejano Volunteer Company, led by Juan Seguin. This San Antonio Militia would exemplify courage and leadership during our fight for independence. The Tejano Volunteer Company would fight for Texas and become the most successful militia of the Texas Revolution.

The Tejano Volunteer Company was a true fighting militia of our Texas Revolution.

This post is dedicated to the descendants of the Tejano Volunteer Company members living today in Texas and worldwide. They continue to carry the torch that those brave Tejanos from San Antonio de Béxar handed them to the benefit of our Republic, Texas.

And, thank you, Captain Juan Seguin, to his Flores brothers-in-law and all the young Tejanos that served with the Tejano Volunteer Company. Thank you for your bravery and for fighting for Texas's freedom and independence.

Texas History – Never Forget!

Sources:

• Salvador Flores (Jose Salvador Ramon Flores) (ca. 1806–1855), Wikipedia

• Flores, Manuel [1801–1868] By: Roderick B. Patten, Texas State Historical Association. TSHA.

• Manuel Flores, Wikipedia

• Juan N. Seguin, Wikipedia