Today, October 2, marks the 188th anniversary of the Battle of Gonzales, the first battle of the Texas Revolution and the origin of the “Come and Take It” flag. On this day, Mexican soldiers arrived in Gonzales to retrieve a six-pounder Spanish cannon supplied to the colonists in 1831 to defend themselves against Indian attacks. The cannon was said to be of little use, other than being quite loud and visually intimidating. Nevertheless, when Mexico requested its return, the Texans refused.
On September 27, Domingo de Ugartechea, the Mexican military leader assigned to Texas dispatched Francisco de Castaneda with 100 troops to retrieve the cannon. On October 2, they arrived at Gonzles where the defiance was symbolized on a simple handmade flag that bore, in black, a lone star, a cannon, and the words, “Come and Take It”. The Mexican troops probably expected to easily take possession of the cannon and return victorious to their leaders. Instead, they found a fight for which they were unprepared, when they engaged the Texas militia, led by John Henry Moore. The Mexican troops were forced to retreat.
The original flag was damaged during the skirmish and said to have been lost shortly thereafter, but has been reproduced through the years, and among the best-known replicas is one in the Texas State Capitol in Austin. In recent years, the flag saw a resurgence in popularity and is sold on articles of clothing, signage and flags attached to vehicles or in yards. The original flag was sewn by two Gonzales girls hoping their settlement would manage to keep a cannon, and stop being ruled by the Mexican government. They had no idea people would fly it and wear it nearly 200 years later.
