Site of Bivouac and Banquet for The New Orleans' Greys
Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Led by Adolphus Sterne, citizens of Nacogdoches helped outfit a volunteer force, the New Orleans' Greys, to fight in the Texas War for Independence. One company of Greys traveled overland to San Antonio by way of Nacogdoches in Nov. 1835. The 50-100 men camped for a few days at this site near Sterne's home. They were honored with a banquet of bear, raccoon, and other meat, and were praised in toasts and speeches. The Greys reached San Antonio before the Siege of Bexar, Dec. 5-9, 1835. Most of the volunteers died in later battles of the revolution.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In November 1835, as Texas fought for independence, Nacogdoches citizens led by Adolphus Sterne helped equip a volunteer company known as the New Orleans Greys. One company marching overland to San Antonio camped for several days at this site near Sterne's home, where townspeople feasted them on bear, raccoon, and other game and toasted their cause. The Greys reached San Antonio before the Siege of Bexar, and most of the volunteers would die in later battles of the revolution.
Why it matters
It marks a moment of frontier hospitality and volunteer sacrifice in the Texas Revolution, when outside recruits gave their lives for Texas independence.
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Related people
- ยท Adolphus Sterne
Related events
- ยท Texas Revolution
- ยท New Orleans Greys
- ยท Siege of Bexar
Themes & tags
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