Scripture tells us that we can gain more wisdom from the house of mourning than the house of mirth. "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth" (Ecclesiastes 7:4). With this in mind, there is much to be gained in remembering and learning from those who have gone before us.

As the Sons of San Jacinto and the Alamo, our forefathers accomplished some astounding feats. Let us take some time and Selah (consider; meditate upon) their actions.

At Tunnel Hill, Granberry’s Texans found themselves without ammunition in the midst of the fighting. When this was discovered, they began throwing rocks. Their rock throwing repelled two Yankee attacks against their positions.

At Corinth, the Texans followed the able political leader William P. Rogers into combat. They pushed deep into the Yankee lines before being stopped. The reports talk about how bravely they fought. When the Yankees searched through the bodies of those brave Texians, they found that many of them made that brave stand on a diet of acorns. Think about that for a moment. They made a ferocious charge and fought like madmen on a diet of acorns. Could we do that today?

At Vicksburg, Waul’s Texas Legion re-captured a position lost earlier in the day’s fighting. After taking the position, the Yankees attempted taking it. They began by opening fire on the position with cannons from three sides. After the fierce bombardment, the Yankees assaulted the position where the Texians were. The defending Texians hurled cannon balls at them, with fuses like bombs. The ferocious hand to hand combat was legendary. The men of Waul’s Texas Legion held their position.

At Gaines Mill, the men of the Texas Brigade were ordered to take a position that other units had been unable to assail. They charged up the hill into a murderous hail of enemy fire and took the position. After taking the position, the Yankees opened fire with artillery and charged the position with cavalry. The Texians held, despite the numerous casualties they endured.

At Sabine Pass, a small group of Texians endured several hours of shelling and then opened fire with such a deadly accuracy, they repelled an invasion force over 10 times their numbers. That battle showed the world what a few determined men from Texas could do.

The list goes on, at Perryville, it was the charge of Terry’s Texas Rangers that changed the battle. At Corpus Christi, the Confederates under Alfred Hobby held firm despite several days bombardment from Yankee ships. During the Vicksburg campaign the 7th Texas Infantry held out against a whole Yankee army corps. The list goes on. Battles with names that few people even recognize like the Battle of Bordeaux, where Texans captured more men than they sent into battle.

Men like Hiram Granbury, Tom Green, Thomas Harrison, Elkanah Greer, William P. Rogers, Sul Ross, Santos Benavides, Benjamin McColloch, John Austin Wharton and Rip Ford. The list of honorable men from Texas is long and extensive.

There were also numerous Texians who gave their life in the army and navy of Texas. At the Battle of Campeche, the sailing ships of the Texas navy defeated the steam vessels of the Mexican navy. This was the first time that sailed ships defeated steam ships. At San Jacinto, the army of the Emperor of the West was defeated by an army of Texians much smaller than his own force.

Soldiers such as Roy Benevidez showed the world what determined men from Texas could do in Viet Nam. Commander Dealy showed the world what submarines could do in World War II. A small man from Texas who accomplished great things was Audie Murphy, who ended up being the most highly decorated veteran of the war.

During World War I, the units from Texas endured constant fighting, yet managed making constant success in advancing against the German defenders. The ‘tough hombres’ of the 36th and 90th divisions from Texas are the stuff of legends.

These men and the numerous others who deserve mention gave us the freedoms and heritage we have, one battle and one struggle at a time.

What have we learned from their sacrifices? Freedom requires effort. Freedom requires determination. Freedom requires men who are willing to stand and lead rather than those who bark orders from reinforced bunkers or Capitol hill. Let us ponder what we have done with the freedoms they have passed on to us. Have we preserved it for future generations or has it shrank on our watch? We can not evaluate a cause by whether it won or lost. We need to evaluate it on the basis of was it right or was it wrong?

Sadly, when the wives and daughters of Confederate soldiers sought to honor the graves of their dearly departed, the Yankees denied them from doing so on their memorial day. Although Texans had given so much in the Mexican War, and the Frontier, they were denied the privilege of honoring the fallen. This is part of Memorial Day as well.

If we truly wished to honor the Texans who gave all, the flags of Texas, and the Confederacy should be flown as well. At present, the occupational government frown upon the display of our banner, on the day set aside to honor those who died for what has become its empire.

In a free south, the fallen would be honored with the flags of the nations they served. The families would be allowed to mark the graves of their heroes. Let us strive to continue toward that day.

Free Dixie, Not Iraq!

J Murrah

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