THE TRUE MILITARY HISTORY BEHIND THE YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS


By bblouin
the yellow rose of texas

Military history is steeped with a variety of stories, tales, and legends. The victor writes the storyline, but even then, there can be a bit of — creativity — taken when explaining what really happened. Such could be the case with the Yellow Rose of Texas. Many historians believe the tale to be true, but some skeptics still exist. There are also intimate details that would always be hard to prove. But here’s what we do know. Texas won the Battle of San Jacinto, the events would help set up the Mexican-American War, and there was a woman who fit the description of the figure in question. Espionage, seduction, and war combine into a mysterious yet intriguing piece of history that helped shape one of the largest states in the Union. Read next:Another Soldier From Operation Lone Star at the Border Passes Away

Who Was the Yellow Rose of Texas?

The Yellow Rose of Texas was a woman by the name of Emily D. West. Also known as Emily Morgan, West was a freed African-American woman from Connecticut that would find herself working as a housekeeper in New Washington, today known as La Porte, Texas, for Colonel James Morgan. This small settlement east-southeast of Houston became a place of contention in April 1836, around half a year after West came to the area. General Antonio López de Santa Anna and his troops arrived at New Washington and began looting the area and burning the settlement to the ground. It was at this time that Emily D. West found herself in the company of Santa Anna, as she was forced to leave with the group and join their squad. But her time with the group was short-lived, as, on April 21, 1836, the Battle of San Jacinto began.

Setting the Stage for the Mexican-American War

New Washington, TX, is where Buffalo Bayou enters San Jacinto Bay just north of Galveston Bay. To this day, it remains an important area for commerce and boat traffic, and it's a strategic spot to control when you're looking to establish a settlement within the area. But why Santa Anna would choose it as a place to remain during a time of war is a bit of a mystery. That is unless you factor in an alternative motive for doing so. The General was well known for his luxurious lifestyle, including traveling with a large champagne supply, among other comforts. He was also believed to have become distracted by a beautiful woman. History is filled with men doing stupid things for a woman, and this could be the explanation as to why Santa Anna and his men found themselves between a rock and a hard place. On that fateful day, Sam Houston’s Texian Army attacked the Mexican camp, and here’s where things get interesting, as there are a few theories noted by historians about the battle:

  • The Yellow Rose of Texas was present during the battle, but could she have been a spy for the Texian Army?
  • Santa Anna’s men would go on to blame him for the loss, claiming that he was distracted by a woman during the time.
  • It’s believed that the Yellow Rose of Texas had seduced Santa Anna and was actually having sex with him to prevent an appropriate response on the battlefield.
  • The story of the Yellow Rose of Texas would become a folk tale and inspiration that resonates to this day.

Some of these notions could be the result of a diary entry from William Bollaert, an Englishman, who heard the story from Sam Houston himself. However, after it was published, ties to the then-popular folk song "The Yellow Rose of Texas” would be made, and the legend would grow. What isn’t as disputed as the role of the Yellow Rose of Texas is what this battle meant. Santa Anna would lose and be captured. This allowed for a peace treaty to be made and for the Republic of Texas to become its own country. Of course, this didn’t mean that Mexico fully accepted the aftermath, and they refused to recognize Texas as its own nation. Once the Lone Star State became a part of the U.S., Mexican officials were not pleased. Throw in a border dispute, and you have the beginning of the Mexican-American War.

What Happened to the Yellow Rose of Texas?

Only further adding to the intrigue of Emily D. West, the Yellow Rose of Texas, is that she seems to have gone to New York following the battle and kind of… disappeared. Travel records show that she made the journey, but not much is found after that. Of course, being far away from home, working for someone in a less-than-favorable area for Blacks, then having to possibly seduce a foreign military leader in a pivotal moment for Texan and U.S. history likely takes a lot out of a girl. Going off quietly into the sunset could be a great idea because, really, how do you top all of that? The adversity and odd historical timing give way to a remarkable story that may need to be taken with a grain of salt but is still an interesting event nonetheless. We'll likely never know the full truth behind the Yellow Rose of Texas and how much of an impact she had in an event that would shape our nation. But while it shouldn’t be, history is subjective. Believe it or not, her legend continues. Suggested read:Women Veterans Day Celebrates Strength, Sacrifice of Service Members

Image: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer


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