Heritage, Volume 3, Number 4, Spring 1986 Page: 4
34 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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THE FLAGS OF TEXAS:
THE DODSON FLAG
THE TROUTMAN FLAG
By Terry Nicholson
With the distinction of being the only state
in America that was ever a free and sovereign
nation Texas received a rich heritage of
unique flags. Unfortunately, except for the San
Jacinto flag that now hangs in the State Capitol
and the flag of the New Orleans Grays
which is still held by the Mexicans, none of
the originals are known to exist.
A fascinating project was started over two
years ago in Austin by the Gallery of the Republic
to recreate the historic flags of early
Texas in a series of limited edition, hand-made
replicas. The challenge was not just to reproduce
the designs which had been recorded
by the men and women of Texas 150 years ago,
but to capture the richness of the textures; the
years of wear, the bums, stains and frayed
edges. Each flag has been created entirely by
hand from silks and cottons similar to those
used during the republic era, and the flags are
full scale, approximately three by five feet,
when framed.
The first public display of these historic Texas
flags was in the Rotunda of the Capitol in Austin
after a reception hosted by Lieutenant
Governor Hobby. The exhibit was one of the
most popular held in years, but with an interesting
twist, as Ted Pearsall, owner of the Gallery
of the Republic explains: "During the display
a number of very worried people stopped
by the security desk or called the gallery to say
that they didn't like the idea that state treasures
such as these were out on easels where
they could be damaged. These folks didn't see
the sign explaining the exhibit, and didn't stop
to think and remember their history. All but
one of the originals had not survived the days
of the Republic."
There are ten flags in the limited edition series:
The San Jacinto Flag, (shown on the
cover) the only banner carried by the Texans
at their victory in the battle that secured
Texas independence; The Gonzales Flag, one
of the better known flags of the era because of
4its inflammatory slogan "Come and Take It";
Captain Scott's Flag, carried by one of the independent
groups of volunteers from Harrisburg;
The Dodson Flag, intriguing because of
its distinctive shape and generally credited as
having been the first Lone Star flag; First Flag
of the Republic, selected by the signers of the
Texas Declaration of Independence, and designed
by Lorenzo de Zavala; Second Flag of
the Republic, used by Texas when she was recognized
as a sovereign country by the United
States and designed by David Bumet; Third
Flag of the Republic, which flew when Texas
was recognized by France and England, and
was adopted as the official state flag when
Texas joined the United States; Flag of the
Texas Navy, cleverly designed to be confused
with the American Flag and flown by the
Texan ships that kept supply lines open and
raided Mexican shipping for years; The Troutman
Flag, one of the most inspirational symbols
during the dark days after the Alamo,
and reminiscent of the romantic story of
Joanna Troutman; and The Alamo Flag, the
principal flag flown by the Texans for 13 days
as less than 200 Texans held off a Mexican
army of over 5,000 men.
The Flag of the New Orleans Grays, carried by
a volunteer company that was wiped out at the
Alamo, was added a year ago because of intense
public interest. This flag has been the
subject of a heated controversy as attempts
have been made to borrow the original flag
from the Mexican government for exhibit during
the sesquicentennial. It is interesting to
note, however, that while this flag is touted in
the press accounts as the Alamo flag, historians-generally
agree that although there were
several flags carried to the Alamo, much like
the divisional flags used in a large army, the
principal flag of the Texans bore the date
1824, in reference to the Mexican constitution
the Texans had accepted and Santa Anna
had suspended. Apparently the only reasonthe New Orleans Grays flag was preserved was
because it bore the words "New Orleans" and
therefore was the proof Santa Anna was looking
for that the trouble in Texas was not a revolt
of the citizenry but rather a fight started
by American seditionists.
The flags were made with the help of the Texas
State Library and Archives, and Dr. Dorman
Winfrey, Director and Librarian, points out:
"over the years we have gotten more inquiries
on Texas flags than any other single topic.
These wonderful replicas give us a real cause
for rejoicing. To see these flags is a marvelous
opportunity for everyone to share in the rich
history of Texas, and it would be ideal if a set
of these flags were permanently displayed at
libraries, museums, schools and government
buildings throughout the state." The principal
artist in the recreation of the flags, Andre' Demay,
has spent the last twenty years making
replicas of ancient tapestries for major museums,
and his work now hangs undetected
throughout Europe. He is assisted by several
craftsmen in Austin who prepare each flag to
be mounted, framed and delivered to the
collector.
For exhibiting unparalleled spirit, few flags in
history can match those created by the Texans
during their fight for independence. In that
era flags were one of the clearest means to
send messages between rival forces. To create
the Alamo flag, for example, Texas took the
standard Mexican flag of the time, removed
the coat-of-arms from the center section, and
painted in the date of the constitution that
Santa Anna had suspended: a clear message to
him of their thoughts on the matter. In fact,
the men who died at the Alamo died in defense
of those rights. Although Texas had declared
her indpendence four days earlier, there
was no way word could have reached San Antonio
de Bexar, or made it through the Mexican
army that had laid siege to the Alamo.
SPRING 86 * HERITAGE
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Texas Historical Foundation. Heritage, Volume 3, Number 4, Spring 1986, periodical, March 1, 1986; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth45441/m1/4/?rotate=270: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Foundation.