Staue commemorating James Bowie outside of the Alamo

Wild Geese have flown far from Ireland since 1691. Many settled in new communities and raised families far from Ireland, writing new stands in the Legend of The Wild Geese. No matter how far they ventured, however, their ancestry and dream of freedom for everyone has united them.

In Texas two Wild Geese fought in the Battle of The Alamo in 1836: Davy Crockett and James Bowie.

James Bowie fought as part of the Texas Militia fighting the Mexican army lead by Santa Ana for the freedom of Texas. He marched into the Alamo in San Antonio de Bexar in January 1836, originally with orders to destroy the San Antonio Mission. However, he soon decided that the Alamo would be of great significance to Texas’ battle tactics. He wrote in a letter:

‘the salvation of Texas depends in great measure on keeping Bexar out of the hands of the enemy… I have come to the solemn resolution that I would rather die in these ditches than give it up to the enemy’

Bowie pledged himself to this for the remainder of his days. He lead Texas Militia troops in the stand against the approaching tyranny during a 13 day siege. He would fight for the freedom of Texas until the bitter end. In the final days of the Alamo, he suffered pneumonia, and as the Alamo was eventually stormed by the Mexican army, it is said that he even fought from his bed, determined to stand against the enemy until his final breath.

Although the Alamo fell to the Mexican army in March 1836, the sacrifices of the brave men at the Alamo spurred on the Texas forces who defeated the Santa Ana’s army a month later in April 1836.

James Bowie, a true Man of Action, did not die in vein.

The Alamo, San Antonio Texas