When the Texian army under General Sam Houston won independence for Texas in 1836, Juan Seguin led a corps of Tejanos at the battle of San Jacinto. At Houston’s recommendation, the Tejanos wore playing cards in their hatbands to show that they weren’t Mexican troops.
Perhaps Juan Seguin should have kept wearing the card.
After San Jacinto, Seguin returned to his home in San Antonio, where he gathered the remains of the Alamo defenders and interred them in San Fernando Cathedral (you can see their crypt today). He was elected to the Texas Senate, but soon returned to San Antonio when elected mayor of that city.
Between the war of Texas independence (1836) and the Mexican war (1845) the Republic had a troubled existence. Mexico threatened to invade Texas (and did once capture San Antonio). Anglos poured into Texas, ready to seize opportunities. Juan Sequin was caught up in the increasing hostilities between the newcomers and the Mexican Texans. He struggled with Anglos who settled on City property. Seguin finally fled with his family to Mexico.
Seguin became embroiled in Mexico’s struggles. In 1845 he led a company in battle against United States forces. eventually he returned to his ranch in South Texas, a controversial figure. Today, he is honored as a true son if Texas.
Juan Sequin’s life is emblematic of the difficulties faced by Mexican Texans in those years. Divided loyalties and oppression by a new majority which understood neither their language nor their culture. Some of those misunderstandings persist today. As an old Texan, I can assure you they need not persist.
Dac Crossley
May 24, 2017. Happy Birthday, Eric M.!!
“I would rather give full vent to all human loves and disappointments, and take a chance on being corny, than die a smartass.” – Novelist Jim Harrison.