This article was reproduced from the above titled article and is intended as educational aid
for students of Texas History

Juan Seguin was born among the elite Mexican (1) Aristoracy. His family was one of the first to settle Texas in 1722, (2) which at first was under Spanish rule. Later, when Mexico had thrown asunder Spanish rule to become a nation unto itself, his father Erasmo, would become Alcalde of San Antonio, Texas in the year 1822. He became one of the first to greet and embrace Stephen F. Austin on his first Journey to Texas, and it would be the helpful use of his authority that helped the Americans in the years preceeding the war for Texas Independence. Sporting the art of politics and being a liberal, this was handed down to is son, Juan Nepomuceno Seguin.

In 1834 Juan entered the political arena. He became the political chief of the San Antonio District at the youthful age of 28. It would be during this time that his liberal politics would make him outspoken toward the dictatorial policies of the Mexican President, Santa Anna. These policies were not only directed towards the Texas "Americans", but also toward the Mexican population of Texas as well. I t wuld be for these reasons that he would embrace the idea of more personal and political fressdom; then begin to champion the cause of demand for self-government in Texas.

When the Texans began rebelling for the casue of more freedom and possible independence, Gereral Cos of the Mexican army would march against them in San Antonio. It would be Juan Seguin that would ultimatel save the day! In September of 1835, during General Cos' attack on San Antonio, he recruited a large force of Mexican Ranchers, leasing them against their own countryment to help the embattled Texans. This conduct and his resulting vicotry won him an honored commission as a captain of cavalry in the Regular Texas Army. Having perpetrated treason against the Mexican Government, he and his company of ranchers were committed to the fight for a free Texas independent of Mexican authority.

On February 3, 1836 Juan rode with twenty-five other men led by col. Travis into the Spanish Mission, San Antonio de Valero, which would soon be known around the world as the Alamo. At dusk, on February 25, the Alamo had been surrounded by thousands of Mexican troops. These troops, personally commanded by the Mexican President Santa Anna, had promised "no quarter" would be given any rebellious Texan. Col. Travis drafted awhat was considered an urgent plea for aid addresed to the Texas commander at Gonzales, which lies seventy miles away. This act of fate would save Juan Seguin from a certain death because Col. Travis asked him to deliver the message. Juan Seguin was a native born Texas. He knew the terrain better than anyone else and spoke fluent Spanish and English. It would be on March 6, when the Alamo finally fell to the siege of thousands of Santa Anna's Zapadores. Each and every one of the Alamo's defenders were put to the torch!

The fall of the Alamo was tragic. Although giving time for Sam Houston to gather and train an army, it still wasn't enough time for him to accomplish what was needed. General Sam Houston gave orders for the Texasns to retreat toward the East. He wanted no families left behind, and it would be Juan Seguin that would follow up the rear, gathering the families of Texans for the painstaking and demoralizing Exodus. Many would question Sam Houston's ability to lead and his will to fight until Santa Anna's troops came upon the Plain of San Jacinto. Here, General Sam Houston's Texas Army and the company of Juan Seguin's Mexican Ranchers would soundly defeat the Mexican Army and win Texas Independence. His memoirs state, "Sam Houston promoted him to Lt. col.; then posted him to set a military garrison (government) in San Antonio until civilian rule coudl be re-eastablished. It is here where he remembered his comrades of the Alamo and gave an honored burial to the ashes of the Alamo deal.

After Texas had won its independence, Juan settled back into politics. In 1838 he was elected to the senate of the new Republic, and twice he was elected Mayor of San Antonio. this seemed very fitting, considering his father had held the same position as Alcalde. But new Republics have troubles in self-rule and newcomers immigrating to the new state brought unwanted misunderstandings. It seems these "adventurers" didn't or couldn't realize that the Mexican citizens of the Republic of Texas helped to fight and win tits independence. Racism abounded, particularly the Americans' towards Mexican citizens. Juan Seguin had to respond to this inaffection of his people with force at times. Being involved in poliitics and Mexican himself, these adventurers put forth rumors that he was in league with the Mexican Government to try and take Texas back. None of these rumors were true, and hearthbroken, Juan Seguin had to flee for his life in 1842, whereas he stated in his memoirs,"to seek a refuge amongst my enemies."

Having committed treasonous acts against the Mexican Government while flighting for Texas Independence, he was offered only two choices by General Santa Anna. He could either rot in jail or join in an expeditionary force in a probing attack on Texas; so it could be regained by Mexico. With so few choices, he chose the latter, writing "and by spilling blood, vindicate myself." He fought in this campaign that saw Mexican troops retake and briefly hold San Antonio before returning to Mexico. This service gave a man without a country the right to live in Mexico, but he never ceased loving Texas. Finally in 1848, Juan Seguin was allowed to return and live in Texas, whereas he wrote that this was the land he had "embraced--at the report of the first cannon which fortold her liberty."

For further reading upon the controversial Juan N. Seguin a book review follows, which was written by Marianne E. Hall Little. She writes a column in the DeWitt County View. The title,"A Revoluton Remembered: The Memoirs and Selected Corrspondence of Juan N. Seguin", by Sate House Press.

The puzzle of whether Juan N. Seguin, of the Texas Revolution Fame, was a hero or a traitor has long remained a confused issue among historians. Seguin was at the Alamo and was sent out with a plea for reinforcemnets shortly before the battle. He was appointed the rank of Captain by Stephen F. Austin and led a small company of 19 men during the Battle of San Jacinto. Sam Houston stated that Seguin's "chivalrous and estimable conduct (at the Battle of San Jacinto)...won for him my warmest regard and esteem." Seguin was then promoted to Lt. Col. in command at San Antonio and responsible for collecting the ashes of the Alamo Defenders for their military burial. He personally delivered the funeral oration.

It was because of attitudes prejudiced against the Hispanic population in San Antonio by newly arrived Anglo Texans, that Seguin felt forced to flee to Mexico and his reputation in Texas suffered accordingly. However, Dr. de la Teja has presented the evidence for Texans to decide for themselves.

The Zadock Woods descendants will be interested to note that an excerpt from a letter from Norman Woods in Perote Prison, Mexico is in this book and proves that Seguin was NOT involved in the Dawson Massacre as had been previously stated by some historians.

Many historians previously held the view that the Hispanic population of Texas (Tejanos) contributed little to the success of the Texas Revolution or the general development of Texas. However, in the past few years, a more enlightened group of Texas scholars has emerged who have studied the past without prior prejudices. Among these is Dr. Jesus F. de la Teja, of the General Land Office in Austin. His critical analysis of the Seguin Memoirs and biographical essay of Seguin are the best work I've seen on any of the Hispanic Tejanos. It is a must for any Texana collection and public Library as it is amost readable account for the historian and for casual readers alike who have interest in early Texas History.

Footnotes: (1) Spanish, (2) 1712