Well noted Fernando, and I have had some luck in finding a reference with more information "Cannons of the Texas Revolution" , James V. Woodrick, 2015.
Apparently at Gonzalez on October 2, 1835.
The actual cannon being contested was indeed a bronze 6 pounder which was loaned to the Gonzalez village in 1831 by the Mexicans. When it was ordered to be returned in 1835, the settlers buried it, and refused to give it up.
One of the wives created the now legendary flag which remains proudly flown across Texas with the cannon and the words "Come and Take It".
By September 29th other Texians were arriving in Gonzalez as the Mexicans had sent dragoons to retrieve the gun. The Texians then dug up the gun to prepare for battle.
At this time, a small iron artillery piece also arrived, it was the 'Esmeril' of 69 pounds , 21.5 " long and bore that fired 1/4 pound shot. It was not mounted until Oct 2nd. This gun had been captured by Brazoria volunteers at the Battle of Velasco in 1832.
It is noted that these small guns were made in Mexico until late 1700s.
It would seem that the term 'esmeril' was basically archaic and of course had become colloquial for a small gun of the swivel or deck gun form from the much earlier types. It seems some of these had been mounted as swivel guns in several fortifications, so more of a general term.
Mexican records note that the emeril was shot first and only once, the six pounder then shot twice.
In the march to San Antonio, apparently the esmeril had been mounted on a makeshift carraige which finally failed due to friction on the wheels and issues with the two oxen pulling it. It was abandoned along the road.
Meanwhile the bronze six pounder did make it to San Antonio, and to the Alamo. This brought the number of cannon at the Alamo to 24.
It is ironic that originally, Bowie was ordered to remove the guns from the Alamo, and destroy it.
However Bowie and Neill, the officer then in command there, decided that the Alamo was indeed strategic and that with all these guns it would be well able to be defended. Unfortunately, they could not know that they would not have adequate manpower to handle these guns; nor the ammunition and that there would be severe issues with faulty powder.
After the fall of the Alamo, the Mexicans removed the bronze guns (4) with the others buried, except 8 which were apparently dumped into the San Antonio river (these have never been found).
Of the four bronze guns ...the six pounder from Gonzalez was made into a church bell, the other three into commemorative small guns.
|