12/12/1835: Red Rovers leave for Texas

[Craig Tx]

On this day in 1835, the Red Rovers, a volunteer military company, left their camp in Alabama to join the Texas Revolution.

The company was organized by its captain, Jack Shackelford, at Courtland, Alabama, in November 1835 and named for the fact that its members were uniformed in red jeans. The seventy members of the company were equipped with rifles and military supplies from the Alabama state arsenal. After being inspected by Stephen F. Austin and Nicholas Adolphus Sterne in New Orleans, the company reached Texas on January 19, 1836. They were sent on to Goliad, where they were assigned to the Lafayette Battalion under the command of James Fannin. During the Goliad Campaign of 1836 they were sent on several local expeditions. At the battle of Coleto the Red Rovers occupied the extreme right of the front side of the square and acquitted themselves like veterans. The unit was surrendered with Fannin's command, and most of the men sustained a common fate in the Goliad Massacre.

[Uncle Russ]

True "Red Legs"! Described by some as "Bad to the Bone".
Don'cha know, Jose Wales is still looking for a bunch of them fellers??.......

Just joshing, of course, but this does describe the real origins of the "Red Legs".
They did not form up in Texas or the Oklahoma Territories, but in Alabama.
Indeed they were sent to Texas, but that was a little later.

(I have heard this point argued several times over the years, mostly with the good folks in SASS, COWS, and New COWS, but I stood my ground from something I had read many years earlier....silly old me!
Problem is, I somehow thought they had "formed" in Louisana, so I was only "half right" in my arguments...lol)

Russ...

 

[Craig Tx]

I've got faith that this is correct as it can be as the source for all my posts is the Texas State Historical Association.  And the Red Rovers are documented fairly well as I recollect.

[Ohio Joe]

True "Red Legs"! Described by some as "Bad to the Bone".
Don'cha know, Jose Wales is still looking for a bunch of them fellers??.......

Just joshing, of course, but this does describe the real origins of the "Red Legs".
They did not form up in Texas or the Oklahoma Territories, but in Alabama.
Indeed they were sent to Texas, but that was a little later.

(I have heard this point argued several times over the years, mostly with the good folks in SASS, COWS, and New COWS, but I stood my ground from something I had read many years earlier....silly old me!
Problem is, I somehow thought they had "formed" in Louisana, so I was only "half right" in my arguments...lol)

Russ...

I'd of thought ol' Jose Wales would've settle down after taking care of ol' Capt'n Red Legs... 

[Uncle Russ]

I've got faith that this is correct as it can be as the source for all my posts is the Texas State Historical Association.  And the Red Rovers are documented fairly well as I recollect.

And I have faith in your postings, Sir
And, I have had faith in your posting for many years now.
It's unfortunate that I don't have the email address for those I have "discussed " this with or I would send THEM a copy of your post!
      

[Craig Tx]

Thanks Uncle Russ!