African Americans in the Texas Revolution
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Many African Americans, free and slave, supported Texas during its 1835-36 War of Independence from Mexico. Although official recognition of the African American role was generally denied, recorded accounts of individual acts of bravery and patriotism survived. Hendrick Arnold distinguished himself as a guide and soldier for Ben Milam's Texas army at the Siege of Bexar and later at the Battle of San Jacinto. William E. (Bill) Goyens, a prominent African American businessman of Nacogdoches, served as an interpreter and liaison for Sam Houston during treaty negotiations with the Cherokee Indians at the outset of the war. Samuel McCullough, Jr., a freeman, was severely wounded in the Goliad campaign in late 1835 and later recognized by the Texas Congress as among the first to shed blood in the Texas War for Independence. Joe Travis was among the few defenders of the Alamo to survive the devastating siege by Mexican general Santa Anna in 1836. Travis later carried news of the battle to General Sam Houston. African Americans are counted among the Texas army massacred at Goliad, among those who contributed money and transported supplies for the Texas army, and among those who died defending the Alamo. (1994)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Both free and enslaved African Americans supported the Texas cause during the 1835–36 War of Independence, though official recognition of their service was long withheld. Hendrick Arnold scouted and fought at the Siege of Bexar and San Jacinto; the Nacogdoches businessman William Goyens interpreted for Sam Houston in treaty talks with the Cherokee; the freeman Samuel McCullough, Jr. was among the first wounded in the Goliad campaign; and Joe, enslaved by Alamo commander William Travis, survived the fall and carried word of it to Houston. Others died at the Alamo and in the Goliad massacre or gave money and hauled supplies.
Why it matters
The marker restores African Americans to the founding story of Texas, from which they were long erased, and reveals the painful contradiction of enslaved and free Black people helping build a republic that would enshrine slavery. It is a corrective to a whitewashed frontier memory.
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Related people
- · Hendrick Arnold
- · William E. Goyens
- · Samuel McCullough Jr.
- · Joe (Travis's slave)
Related events
- · Siege of Bexar
- · Battle of San Jacinto
- · Goliad campaign
- · Battle of the Alamo
Themes & tags
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