Is it really hard to determine each and every flag that flew over Texas at Goliad?”
That’s right, Miss Bayless, more than six flags flew over Texas. In fact, as I learned during my reporting, the correct number is closer to nine. There’s also a red-and-white banner that James Long and his filibusters flew when they occupied Presidio La Bahía, at Goliad, in 1821, and a flag with a red severed arm and a bloody sword that flew over the fortress a few months before the Texas Declaration of Independence (the one in 1836, that is).
My colleague Juan Castillo has a story in today’s paper about the question of how many flags have flown over Texas. The conventional wisdom says six. But as Castillo points out, some scholars say seven, eight or even nine. Camera in hand, I recently visited Goliad, one of the most historic places in Texas, where nine flags fly outside Presidio La Bahia, right, the oldest standing fort west of the Mississippi. (You can of course click on the picture to get a larger image.) Besides the standard six flags — those of Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States and the United States — the banners of three short-lived independence movements have flown over the presidio. They are the solid green flag of the so-called First Republic of Texas, the red and white stripes of the Second Republic of Texas and the crimson-colored sword and arm of the Goliad Flag. Austin Community College’s Riverside campus will host a re-enactment of the Tejano Declaration of Independence on
The conventional wisdom says six flags fly over Goliad. Juan Castillo points out, however, recently visited Goliad, and he states that there are nine flags that are flying outside, including Presidio La Bahia, at the right, and the oldest of standing front west is Mississippi. It’s pretty hard to debate with someone whom has seen them for himself.
