Chapter I

_Independence_ This Texas Navy schooner was formerly the United States
Revenue Cutter _Ingham_. The _Independence_ was flagship of the
Texas Navy, and on January 10, 1836, took her first cruise to
Mexico under the command of Captain Charles E. Hawkins. On March
20, she undertook a second cruise to Mexico, during which she
destroyed a number of small Mexican vessels. In early April, she
exchanged fire with the Mexican brigs of war _Urrea_ and _Bravo_,
but the Mexican ships withdrew before the _Independence_’s fire.
She returned to Galveston on April 28. On May 5, Santa Anna,
President Burnet and the Cabinet sailed on the _Independence_ for
Velasco, arriving there on May 8.

_Invincible_ McKinney and Williams purchased the _Invincible_ and sold
her to the Texas government on January 5, a move strongly opposed
by Governor Smith. Jeremiah Brown was commissioned as her captain
on March 12. The _Invincible_ engaged the _Bravo_ and wrecked her
on April 3. During this fight, the American ship _Pocket_ sailed
up and was captured by the _Invincible_. For this action, the
United Stated declared the _Invincible_ a pirate ship. The U. S.
sloop _Warren_ captured her and took the ship and crew to New
Orleans on May 1. They were tried on May 4, but were not
convicted.

J

Jack, William H. He was a member of the Committee of Safety from
Brazoria. During the revolution, Jack participated in the Grass
Fight and the battle of San Jacinto. From April 2 to October 22,
1836, he was Secretary of State under President Burnet.

Jameson, Green B. Jameson served under Bowie as aide and chief
engineer. At the Alamo he was responsible for strengthening the
defenses and remounting the cannon. He was killed in the fall of
the Alamo, March 6.

Johnson, Francis White At the beginning of the Revolution Johnson was
appointed adjutant and Inspector General under Stephen F. Austin
and Edward Burleson. He led one of the divisions into San Antonio
during the siege of Bexar and was in command at the taking of the
Alamo in December. In January, he ordered an expedition to
Matamoros, in spite of opposition from Governor Smith and General
Houston. On February 27, Johnson with a detachment of fifty men
was surprised by Urrea at San Patricio. All but Johnson and four
men were killed.

K

Karnes, Henry Wax Karnes fought in the battle of Concepcion and in the
siege of Bexar. He organized a company of cavalry at Gonzales on
March 20, 1836. Before the battle of San Jacinto, Karnes was sent
on a spy mission with Erastus (Deaf) Smith to report on Mexican
troop movements around Harrisburg. He and Juan N. Seguin followed
the Mexican army’s retreat to protect Texan property.

Kimbro, William Kimbro raised a company of volunteers for the army in
September 1835. This company fought under his command in the
battle of San Jacinto.

King, Amon Butler Kings came to Texas in 1835 with the Paducah
Volunteers, formed from Peyton S. Wyatt’s Huntsville Company.
After reporting to Sam Houston, he was sent to Refugio in January.
In March, King and his company were ordered to Goliad. They
returned to Refugio on March 10 to bring stranded families and
supplies back to Goliad. The group was attacked by _rancheros_,
but King succeeded in getting the families to Refugio mission on
March 12. Surrounded by the _rancheros_, King sent to James W.
Fannin for relief. William Ward’s company was able to break up the
siege on March 13. King, however, refused to return to Goliad with
Ward, insisting instead on attacking the _rancheros_. Ward
remained at Refugio to await King. On March 14, King’s return to
Refugio was blocked by Urrea’s company. After a day-long battle,
King’s men attempted to make their way back to Goliad, but soaked
their guns and powder in the river as they undertook a crossing.
They were captured on March 15 by Captain Carlos de la Garza and
returned to the mission, along with stragglers from Ward’s
company. They were taken out to be shot, but German officers in
the Mexican army heard some of the prisoners speaking German. The
group of 33 were returned to Refugio, where the Germans and some
others of the prisoners were released. King and the remaining
prisoners were marched out on March 16 and shot. Their bodies were
left unburied on the plain.