Immortal 32 honored on 177th anniversary
Commemorating the 177th anniversary of the arrival of the Immortal 32 from Gonzales in defense of the Alamo, descendents and present-day Gonzales residents gathered Friday at the iconic mission to honor the heroes of Gonzales. Included in the reunion were (from left) Jason Chall, great-great-great-great-great-nephew of Jessie McCoy, talking with McCoy’s great-great-great-great-great-nieces Pamela Cochran of Georgetown and Maxine Cochran Farmer of Orla.
SAN ANTONIO — Like their ancestors from 177 years earlier, Gonzales answered the call Friday to come to the Alamo.
It was March 1, 1836, when the Immortal 32 arrived at the Alamo in response to an impassioned plea by Col. William Barret Travis for reinforcements to help defend the tiny mission from Santa Anna’s thousands-strong army. Five days later when the Mexicans overwhelmed the Alamo, all the defenders perished fighting for Texas independence.
Among those who died for the fledgling Republic were 41 from Gonzales — nine who were already serving under Travis along with the 32 who answered the call.
In a patriotic tribute to the heroes of Gonzales, a crowd estimated to be as large as 100 people converged on the iconic mission for a sun-splashed commemoration.
City leaders and state representatives lauded the heroism of those who defended the Alamo, as well as praising those present-day citizens who paused to remember the fallen.
Gonzales mayor Bobby Logan and city manager Allen Barnes welcomed the contingent and recalled how Gonzales was the only community to come to Travis’ aid. Also speaking from the podium draped with a Come and Take It flag were Karen Thompson, president general for the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Mark Leffler from the office of Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, and Jim Massengill and Jason Chall, both representing the Sons of the Republic of Texas.
As Massengill and Chall led a solemn roll call of those who died at the Alamo, descendants of Jessie McCoy — Chall, who is a great-great-great-great-great-nephew, along with great-great-great-great-great-nieces Maxine Cochran Farmer of Orla and Pamela Cochran of Georgetown — proudly called out “Here!”
In addition, Texas folk singer K.R. Wood led the crowd in several songs about the Alamo and Gonzales’ contribution to the fight for independence. The Gonzales contingent then quietly filed into the Alamo for a special viewing of Travis’ famous “victory or death” letter, which has been on display since Feb. 23. The letter is scheduled to return to the Texas State Library and Archives Thursday, March 7.
Comments