GOD & TEXAS: The Red Vest

On April 21, 1836, the Battle of San Jacinto lasted about 18 minutes. Amid shouts of “Remember the Alamo!” and “Remember Goliad!” the Texan forces defeated the larger Mexican army under the direct command of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. 

In the melee, many Mexican soldiers died, but others escaped into the surrounding marshlands. General Sam Houston ordered his troops to stop the killing, and to capture alive the enemy troops who had fled. While on this dangerous mission, young Private Joel Walter Robison received a most unusual gift. 

Historical accounts state that Santa Anna took many luxuries with him when he went to war.  Some say he had an extravagant tent complete with his custom-made bed, expensive lounging clothes, sterling silver dishes, and splendid crystal glassware. Reports indicate that when the Texan troops attacked, he was only wearing white silk drawers, a linen shirt with diamond studs, and red Morocco slippers.

Santa Anna escaped the battle on horseback and somewhere in the bottomland, he changed into the clothes of a common  Mexican infantryman. The day following the battle, he was captured with other fugitives and marched back to camp. While walking, Santa Anna began to complain that he was too tired to go any farther. Some Texan soldiers wanted to shoot him, even though they had no idea who he was. But Robison, who was fluent in Spanish, showed mercy and let the 42 year-old captive ride “two-up” on his horse. 

When they arrived before General Sam Houston, the surrounding Mexican captives shouted, “Viva Santa Anna!” and “El Presidente!” Several narratives state that Santa Anna carried a red vest with gold brocade across the front and ten gold buttons, five on each side of the chest. With gratitude for the kindness Robison afforded him, the Mexican general gave it to the young private.

Once discharged from the military, Robison returned to his home near Cummins Creek, north of Columbus. The gift from Santa Anna became a popular garment that several grooms wore for their weddings. Over time, the ornate vest was misplaced and lost to history.

This story of mercy on the part of the young soldier, and gratitude expressed by a defeated general, provides a lesson for all of us. We live in a world of hatred and violence. Since Cain killed Abel, we have sadly seen many people take a path of vengeance. But this is not God’s way.

Leviticus 19:17 ESV states, “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor.” And Jesus said in Luke 6:35 ESV, “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”

May we each guard our hearts and prayerfully consider if our actions and speech are helping to assuage the anger in this world, or making it worse. Choose wisely.

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