Many of our Latino leaders have been forgotten and neglected throughout our Texas history. Many Tejanos fought, bled and died to allow Texas to exist and later flourish. I am writing about a segment of history and needs to be told. I encourage more Latinos to follow in the footsteps of Juan Seguin – soldier of Texas, Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, Senator of Texas and most definitely Hero of Texas. Latinos need to become leaders within their communities and run for elective office. So, that our Voice can be heard Loud and Clear!
Juan Seguin
The Battle of Gonzales was the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. It was fought near Gonzales, Texas, on October 2, 1835, between rebellious Texian settlers and a detachment of Mexican army troops.
Tejano Colonel Juan Nepomuceno Seguir 1806 – 1890
1834 – Being the first to organize opposition to Gen. Santa Anna by preparing a circular inviting citizen to take part in a Texas Constitutional Convention.
1835 – Appointed to the rank of Captain in the Texas Army by Commander in Chief Stephen F. Austin: Captain Seguin recruited fighters to defend against the invasion of Santa Anna’s army; Juan Seguin personally provide his own troops with horses, food and shelter.
1835 – Battle of Gonzales erupted over possession of a cannon wanted returned by Mexican troops; Gonzales citizens challenged the troops to “Come and Take It.” They then used it to fire the first shot of the Revolution.
1835 – Juan Seguin fought alongside Jim Bowie in the Battle of Concepcion; then rushed to join the Grass Fight south of San Antonio to slow the pace of Santa Anna’s invading Army.
1835 – Siege of Bejar – Captain Seguin with his 160 Tejano ranchers and Texas volunteers attacked Gen. Cos troops then in control of San Antonio in a crucial battle that signaled no turning back by Texas freedom fighters.
1836 – The advance guard of Santa Anna’s troops was sighted near San Antonio which alerted the small detachment of defenders to quickly regroup on the grounds of the Alamo: Once there, the small unit of Texans immediately prepared their defense of the mission against the attacking troops of Gen. Cos that were soon to be dramatically increased by the much large forces of General Santa Anna.
1836 – The Siege of the Alamo commenced; Captain Seguin defended the mission alongside Crocket, Travis and Bowie until ordered by Colonel Travis to break through The Mexican lines in search of additional Texas troops.
1836 – The Fall of the Alamo occurred while Captain Seguin was following his orders to ride to Goliad in search of reinforcements from the troops of Colonel Fannin.
1836 – He next rushed to warn and help defend Texas citizens fleeing from the path of the Mexican Army during the ensuing Runaway Scrape.
1836 – Captain Seguin commanded Company (cavalry) of the 2nd Regiment during the Texas victory over Santa Anna Army at San Jacinto; soon after that brief struggle, he was ordered by General Sam Houston to enforce the orderly withdrawal of Santa Anna’s troops from Texas.
1836 – Captain Seguin with his army reentered San Antonio to accept the surrender of the Mexican forces there under the command of Lt. Francisco Castaneda, the same officer involved in the opening skirmish over the cannon at Gonzales.
1836 – He was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel by Republic of Texas President David Burnet, who expressed special trust in the courage, patriotism and ability of Juan N. Seguin.
1837 – He successfully appealed to his friend, Sam Houston, to rescind a prior military order to destroy San Antonio by fire, thus earning Colonel Seguin the respect for saving that city.
1837 – Ordered by Sam Houston to bury the remains of the Alamo defenders, Colonel Seguin provided the martyrs with a Christian burial including full military honors.
1839 – – Senator Juan N. Seguin presented a bill that established a mail route from Austin to San Antonio.
1839 – Colonel Seguin was honored by the citizens of Walnut Springs who voted to change the name of their community to Seguin because of his service to Texas during its heroic struggle for Independence.
1837 – 1840 – – The Biographical Directory of the Texas Conventions and Congresses states that Juan Seguin was an elected member of the Senate of the Republic of Texas 2nd, 3rd and 4th Congresses; Senator Seguin’s legacy includes his strong leadership for adoption of a bill requiring all of the Laws of the Republic of Texas to be written in both English and Spanish. Senator Seguin held high his views that the Republic’s law should protect all citizens and that there can be no doubt as to the rights an individual enjoys, and equally important what his responsibilities are, as a citizen of Texas.
January 19, 1840. Austin was selected as the official capital. Col. Seguin was on the joint Senate and House Committee to select the site for the Capitol of Texas which was named for his bosom friend Stephen F. Austin, it is related that the committee killed buffalo for their food while camped to locate the site for the capital of Texas.
1841 – Juan Seguin is elected Mayor of San Antonio.
1852 – Won election as Bexar County Justice of the Peace; re-elected for a second term two years later.
1869 – Elected Wilson County Judge.
1874 – Juan Seguin was declared a hero of the Texas War for Independence by the Texas Legislature and provided a lifetime pension by the state.