Commander Juan Seguin: Texas Revolution

What is identity? What does it mean to be nationalistic? All these were question tough questions Juan Seguin had to face. And based on his decision could make or break a country. Even though there are not many details over his life, Seguin was born in the year 1806 into a Tejano family that had deep roots in San Antonio. By the time he was 26 years old he was appointed political chief of the San Antonio district in 1834, and like many people was an outspoken critic of the policies of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

Seguin had success as political chief and thus was put in charge of a small cavalry made up of Tejanos (a native Mexican living in texas). The main reason he was assigned a cavalry was because the Texas Revolution began in October of 1835, with his Tejanos they were seen as traitors by his countrymen because they also fought against the Mexican Army. Seguin's main reason for fighting was because he wanted to create a country free of Mexican and the United States of America's control.

Fighting alongside his unit, Seguin and his men participated in many battles. Some battles being including the battle of Concepcion, and the siege and battle of San Antonio. In October of 1835, Seguin would be granted a captain's commission by Stephen F. Austin himself after his success in the battle of Gonzales. His then small band of Tejanos turned into a company of thirty-seven well-equipped soldiers. Like his original small cavalry, his new company was very productive. Being responsible for such things as supplying and scouting operations for the revolutionary army. And actually fought in the assault on General Martín Perfecto de Cos's army. Fortunately/unfortunately for Juan Seguin and his company, they were selected to fight at the Alamo, and as everyone knows anyone who fought at the Alamo lost their life. The only reason Seguin and his company survived was because at the last minute they had been reassigned to go gather more troops.

Because Seguin and his company survived, they were able to actually fight in the battle of San Jacinto. With their participation, they were able to make a significant impact on the battle and were one of the leading causes for Santa Anna and his army to surrender. And with this defeat of Santa Anna, it marked the end of the Texas revolutionary war.

With all the accomplishments that Juan Seguin had throughout his time of leading soldiers into battle, he had the opportunity to serve on many different committees. One is on the senate of the republic as the only Mexican Texan. While he was in office he made it a priority to try and ease the tension between Anglos and Mexican Texans. Although he tried his best Juan Seguin was kind of forced to resign as mayor due to hostiles of Anglos and Mexican Americans and some personal issues. After his resignation, he fled to Mexico but returned to Texas to try and re-establish himself. After all that Juan Seguin had done, to both Texas and Mexico, he was seen as a traitor to both sides.