Texas Revolution

Patriots from Across the Pond 

On the morning of February 28, 1836, a Mexican Officer reported to General Santa Anna that he could hear a “bagpipe” coming from inside the Alamo compound.

The struggle that became known as the Texas Revolution was a military action between a small insurgency of freedom fighting militias that fended off a larger, better-trained, and better-equipped force for six months, and succeeded.  

Texas is unique among states, in the sense that it was born directly of its own revolution. Texians and Tejanos successfully achieved the impossible against great odds. They gained Independence from Mexico. They did it with the blood of young warriors. Freedom fighters stood against an army that had officially announced it would offer no quarter to prisoners. The rebels knew it could be a one-way ticket.  

At the height of the rebellion a battle took place in San Antonio de Béxar, at the Alamo. 189 Texian and Tejano defenders repelled Mexican Army attacks for 13 days and, on the final day, repelled and fought back two massive Mexican Army charges in the dark. The average age of the Alamo defenders - was 26 years. 

History remembers that twenty-three young men from the United Kingdom, ten Englishmen, nine Irishmen and four Scots, battled bravely and fell as heroes at the Alamo on March 06, 1836. 

Today we honor those patriots from the United Kingdom who crossed that line in the sand at the Alamo, and chose to fight for Texas freedom. Interesting fact, the young Englishmen, Irishmen, and Scots at the Alamo, literally fought side-by-side. The New Orleans Greys and William R. Carey’s famous artillery company both contained defenders from England, Ireland and Scotland.  

From England: 

• Blazeby, William Age: 41 Rank: Captain Militia: New Orleans Greys 

• Dimpkins, James R. Age: Uncertain Rank: Sergeant Militia: New Orleans Greys 

• Starr, Richard  Age: 25 Rank: Garrison Member Militia: New Orleans Greys 

• Waters, Thomas  Age: 24 Rank: Garrison Member Militia: New Orleans Greys

• Gwynne, James C. Age: 32 Rank: Garrison Member Service: William R. Carey’s Artillery Company (Invincibles) 

• Hersee, William Daniel Age: 31 Rank: Sergeant Service: William R. Carey’s Artillery Company (Invincibles) 

• Bourne, Daniel  Age: 26 Rank: Garrison Member Service: William R. Carey’s Artillery Company (Invincibles) 

• Brown, George  Age: 35 Rank: Garrison Member • Sewell, Marcus L. Age: 31 Rank: Garrison Member Militia: Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers 

• Stewart, James E. Age: 28 Rank: Garrison Member From Ireland: 

• Jackson, William Daniel Age: 29 Rank: Lieutenant Service: William R. Carey’s Artillery Company (Invincibles) 

• Ward, William B. Age: Uncertain Rank: Sergeant 

• Burns, Samuel  Age: 26 Rank: Garrison Member Service: William R. Carey’s Artillery Company (Invincibles) 

• Duvalt, Andrew Age: 32 Rank: Garrison Member Militia: Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers 

• Evans, Robert Age: 36 Rank: Garrison Member 

• Hawkins, Joseph M. Age: 37 Rank: Garrison Member 

• McGee, James  Age: Uncertain Rank: Garrison Member Militia: New Orleans Greys • Rusk, Jackson J. Age: Uncertain Rank: Garrison Member 

• Trammel, Burke  Age: 26 Rank: Garrison Member Service: William R. Carey’s Artillery Company (Invincibles) From Scotland: 

• McGregor, John  “Bag Piper at the Alamo” Age: 26 Rank: Second Sergeant Service: William R. Carey’s Artillery Company (Invincibles) 

• Robinson, Isaac  Age: 28 Rank: Fourth Sergeant Service: William R. Carey’s Artillery Company (Invincibles) 

• Wilson, David L. Age: 29 Rank: Garrison Member 

• Ballentine, Richard W. Age: 22 Rank: Garrison Member 

It is a well-known fact that during Texas’ darkest hours, a diverse group of brave men and women, from Texas and all over the world, stood for freedom. Our friends and warriors from across the pond are true Texas Revolutionary heroes. 

Thank you, Men of the Crown, for your service, your bravery, and your ultimate sacrifices for Texas’ freedom. Texans will not forget. 

Finally, that "bagpipe" heard by the Mexicans on the morning of February 28th was a young Scot, John McGregor. 

Texas Heroes – Never Forget! 

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