The First Page of the Original Texas Declaration of Independence
The First Page of the Original Texas Declaration of Independence. Credit: Courtesy / Cesar Gutiérrez

On April 6, 1813, Texas declared its independence, having momentarily rid the province of all traces of Spanish control. Eleven days later, the new Texas government promulgated a constitution, drawing from both Spanish civil and Anglo-American natural law traditions. Unfortunately, a horrific series of executions of captured Spanish officers nearly ripped the Republican Army apart at its seams, just as a Royalist army of retribution came sneaking up the Camino Real.

The research team starts digging at the suspected site of the Republican camp the night before the battle. What they learn while digging may be even more important than what they find.

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Brandon Seale

Brandon Seale is the president of Howard Energy Ventures. With degrees in philosophy, law, and business, he writes and records stories about the residents of the borderland and about the intersection of...