Near the end of February 1836, a group of Texas Patriots gathered at Washington-on-Brazos for the purpose of signing a historic document. The site was a rude and cold single room wood building. The document is The Declaration of Independence. The date was March 2. After the signing, there was little cause for celebration. The Alamo was to fall in four days. The Goliad Massacre followed soon after. Santa Anna was free to pursue Texans with little organized opposition. The Texas cause seemed hopeless. Anglo settlers, heading for safety in US Louisiana, fled before three Mexican armies; burning homes, crops, and towns as they retreated. Sam Houston, leading the main Texas army, refused to turn and fight. Despite much pressure to do so. Choosing to retreat before the Mexicans. Until the right moment. Everything was set right at San Jacinto April 21.
It is important to know that, in December 1835, Texas Patriots showed much kindness to the Mexican army, under General Cos, they defeated at San Antonio de Bexar. The Mexicans were given medical care and pardoned on the condition that they return to Mexico. Just 2+ months later, Cos with Santa Anna returned to Texas with a policy of "no quarter"; all falling within their power were murdered.
I see a parallel with the current drama in Ukraine. Patriots fighting overwhelming odds and force exerted by a not necessarily sane but brutal dictator. I hope things turn out as well for Ukraine as they did for Texas.
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