Product Description
Key Features:
- Size Options: Choose from sizes ranging from 2'x3' to 6'x10' to suit your specific display needs and preferences.
- Material Choices: Select from Nylon-Printed, Nylon-Appliqued, or Cotton-Appliqued for a durable and authentic representation of the Gonzales Flag.
- Header and Grommets: Equipped with a sturdy Header and Grommets, this flag offers easy and secure installation on poles, walls, or other surfaces.
- Authentic Design: Meticulously crafted with printed or sewn applique, this flag faithfully reproduces the historic "Come and Take It" cannon emblem, symbolizing the Texan spirit of defiance and resistance.
- Versatile Display: Whether showcased indoors or outdoors, the Gonzales Flag serves as a powerful reminder of Texas' fight for freedom and sovereignty, making it perfect for homes, offices, historical reenactments, and patriotic events.
In early 1831, Green DeWitt wrote to the Mexican Officials requesting armament to defend the colony of Gonzales. Indian attacks had become more frequent, several had destroyed the first site of the settlement in 1826. The cannon helped protect the colony for 4 years before the political temperature started rising in the region. 100 dragoon soldiers were sent by Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea to take back the cannon that was given to the colony. When the soldiers arrived at Gonzales on September 29th, they found that the ferry and all other boats had been removed from the Guadalupe River. There were only 18 men in Gonzales at the time and they were all waiting on the east bank when then Mexican dragoons arrived. The troops requested to speak with alcalde Ponton, but were told that he was out of town and the Mexican soldiers had to wait for him on the west bank. While the Mexicans made camp and waited, 3 Texians buried the cannon while others traveled to nearby towns to ask for help. By the end of the day, the Texians had 80 men arrive from Fayette and Columbus with more coming in.
Before the battle the cannon was dug up and mounted on a cart. Due to the lack of cannonballs, scrap metal was used to fill the cannon. James C. Neill and Almaron Dickinson, both former US Army field artilleryman, manned the cannon with several others forming the first artillery company of the Texians. Texian forces arrived outside of the Mexican camp around 3am, they startled a dog, alerting the Mexican soldiers to their presence. As Mexicans fired at the well hidden Texians, one was thrown from his horse, giving him a bloody nose, the only injury on the Texian side. John Henry Moore and his men had taken cover in a thick of trees until dawn. They raided a near by field and snacked on watermelon as they waited for daylight. As the fog from the evening lifted in the morning, Lieutenant Castañeda met with Moore to discuss terms. Moore explained that he and the Texian forces remained faithful to the Constitution of 1824, which Santa Anna had repealed. Castañeda agreed with Moore, saying that he shared the same federalist views, but was honor-bound to follow orders.
As Moore returned to the Texian camp, a white flag was raised, but it wasn’t the white flag of surrender. Sarah DeWitt and her daughter had sewn this flag just for this day; a white field featuring a cannon with a star. Below read in bold letters stating a laconic phrase, “Come and Take It.” A shot from the cannon was fired at the Mexican camp killing 2 soldiers. After realizing that he was outnumbered and outgunned, Castañeda led his troops back to San Antonio de Béxar. In his report, Castañeda wrote “since the orders from your Lordship (Santa Anna) were for me to withdraw without compromising the honor of Mexican arms, I did so.”
Made in the USA!
