African Americans in the Texas Revolution

Many African Americans, free and slave, supported Texas during its 1835-36 War of Independence from Mexico. Although official recognition of the African American role was generally denied, recorded accounts of individual acts of bravery and patriotism survived. Hendrick Arnold distinguished himself as a guide and soldier for Ben Milam's Texas army at the Siege of Bexar and later at the Battle of San Jacinto. William E. (Bill) Goyens, a prominent African American businessman of Nacogdoches, served as an interpreter and liaison for Sam Houston during treaty negotiations with the Cherokee Indians at the outset of the war. Samuel McCullough, Jr., a freeman, was severely wounded in the Goliad campaign in late 1835 and later recognized by the Texas Congress as among the first to shed blood in the Texas War for Independence. Joe Travis was among the few defenders of the Alamo to survive the devastating siege by Mexican general Santa Anna in 1836. Travis later carried news of the battle to General Sam Houston. African Americans are counted among the Texas army massacred at Goliad, among those who contributed money and transported supplies for the Texas army, and among those who died defending the Alamo. (1994)

African Americans in the Texas Revolution is a historical marker in Austin, Travis County, dedicated in 1994. It is one of 320 historical markers documented in Travis County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 591 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.2726, -97.7415 near Austin. The nearest cataloged historic site is Henry Smith (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Governor Andrew Jackson Hamilton, Governor Elisha Marshall Pease, and Governor James Edward Ferguson_Governor Miriam A. Ferguson.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507013929. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.