December 12, 2023
Today in Texas History
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
The Bandera Prophet
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 70 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 Jan. 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.
The 70 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 Jan. 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.