James Hilton NASH (1810–1836)

BIRD Chronicles

James Hilton NASH (1810–1836)

“Remember The Alamo”

James Hilton NASH (1810–1836)

“Remember The Alamo”

Remembering & Honoring my 3^rd great granduncle James Hilton NASH (1810–1836)

James was a member of the Gonzales Mounted Ranger Company and was killed defending the Alamo.

"Remember The Alamo”

James Hilton NASH (1810–1836) was the son of my 4^th grandparents Thomas Columbus NASH (1775–1828) & Hannah WEST (1775–1871) of Davidson County, North Carolina now Tennessee, on my mother Evelyn Virginia BIRD Linton (1922-2012) side of the family tree. James’ great-uncle was Brigadier General Francis NASH (1740-1777) of Revolutionary War Hero fame and who Nashville Tennessee was named after. James was named after his grandfather Revolutionary War Colonel John Hinton NASH (1729-1802).

James was born in 1810 in Rutherford, Gibson County, Tennessee and died between March 1 to March 6, 1836, at the Battle of the Alamo, in Hidalgo County, Texas. “Remember The Alamo” James was a member of the Gonzales Mounted Ranger Company and was killed defending the Alamo.

Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836)

Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event and military engagement in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna reclaimed the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas, United States). About one hundred Texians were then garrisoned at the mission, with around a hundred subsequent reinforcements led by eventual Alamo co-commanders James Bowie and William B. Travis. On February 23, approximately 1,500 Mexicans marched into San Antonio de Béxar as the first step in a campaign to retake Texas. In the early morning hours of March 6, the Mexican Army advanced on the Alamo. After repelling two attacks, the Texians were unable to fend off a third attack. As Mexican soldiers scaled the walls, most of the Texian fighters withdrew into interior buildings. Those who were unable to reach these points were slain by the Mexican cavalry as they attempted to escape. Between five and seven Texians may have surrendered; if so, they were quickly executed. Subsequently almost all of the Texian inhabitants were killed.

Siege of the Alamo

As Santa Anna's army approached the Alamo February 19, 1836, William Travis dispatched John Johnson to Goliad for reinforcement from James Fannin. He also dispatched John Smith and Dr. James Sutherland to Gonzales with a letter for the Alcade Andrew Ponton:[3]: 278

"The enemy in large force is in sight. We want men and provisions. Send them to us. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the Alamo to the last. Give us assistance.

William Barrett Travis

Lt. Col. Comdt."

That night, Santa Anna sent General Ventura Mora's cavalry to encircle to the North and East corners of the Alamo to prevent the arrival of reinforcements

According to The DeWitt Colony Alamo Defenders, The Immortal 32 Gonzales Rangers A-E F-K L-Z , Members of the Garrison & Surviving Couriers & Foragers Alamo Widows & Mothers:

On the same day of arrival of the message, Acting Commissioner and Aide-de-Camp to the Provisional President of the Republic of Texas Byrd Lockhart completed the muster of 23 into the Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers which he had been commissioned to do in Gonzales on 4 Feb. The Gonzales Rangers were officially attached to Col. Travis' command within the provisional Republican Army. The official muster roll in the Texas Archives below was completed on 23 Feb, however most individuals who joined the Gonzales Alamo Relief Force on 24 Feb and thereafter are often listed as members of the company even though no official muster roll is available.

Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers

OFFICERS

Lt. George C. Kimble (K)

First Sargent William A. Irvin

Privates

John Ballard, John Davis (K), Andrew Duvalt (K), Jacob Darst (K), Frederick C. Elm, Galba Fuqua (K), William Fishbaugh (K), John Harris (K), Andrew J. Kent (K), David B. Kent, John G. King, Daniel McCoy, Jesse McCoy (K), Prospect McCoy, Isaac Millsaps (K), William Morrison, James Nash (K), Marcus L. Sewell (K), William Summers (K), Robert White (K)

(Capt. Byrd Lockhart and Lt. Col. William B. Travis (K), superior commander, were also attached to this roll)

According to the Immortal 32 Centennial Monument by Raoul Josset, erected in 1936 in Gonzales Memorial Museum, Gonzales, Texas: On February 29, 1836, the "Immortal 32" led by George Kimbell arrived at the Alamo. At 3:00 am on March 1, under the cover of night, they slipped through Santa Anna's lines and entered the fort.

Lt. Col. William B. Travis

On February 24, Travis dispatched Albert Martin to Gonzales with a second letter for Andrew Ponton:[3]: 278

Commandancy of the Alamo, Bexar, Feby. 24th, 1836. To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World—

Fellow Citizens and Compatriots: I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of Patriotism and everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country. Victory or death.

William Barrett Travis,

Lt. Col. Comdt.

PS The Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found in deserted houses 80 to 100 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.

Ponton received the first letter on February 24. He mobilized George Kimble, commander of the Texian Militia Gonzales Ranger[1] Company, who mustered his unit and waited for Fannin; who also received the first letter on February 24. On February 26, Fannin departed Goliad for the Alamo with 320 men, 4 cannon, and several supply wagons. After repeated disasters, Fannin abandoned the mission and returned to Goliad. On February 27, Kimble departed with his unit for the Alamo.[3]

Ponton received the second letter on February 27 and dispatched it to Governor Henry Smith in San Felipe. Smith informed colonists:[3]: 279

"Fellow Citizens and Countrymen: The foregoing official communication from Colonel Travis, now in command at Bexar, needs no comment. The garrison, composed of only 150 Americans, engaged in a deadly conflict with 1,000 of the mercenary troops of the Dictator, who are daily receiving reinforcements, should be a sufficient call upon you without saying more. However secure, however fortunate, our garrison may be, they have not the provisions nor the ammunition to stand more than a thirty days' siege at farthest. I call upon you as an officer, I implore you as a man, to fly to the aid of your besieged countrymen and not permit them to be massacred by a mercenary foe. I slight none! The call is upon ALL who are able to bear arms, to rally without one moment's delay, or in fifteen days the heart of Texas will be the seat of war. This is not imaginary. The enemy from 6,000 to 8,000 strong are on our border and rapidly moving by forced marches for the colonies. The campaign has commenced. We must promptly meet the enemy or all will be lost. Do you possess honor? Suffer it not to be insulted or tarnished! Do you possess patriotism? Evince it by your bold, prompt and manly action! If you posses even humanity you will rally without a moment's delay to the aid of your besieged countrymen!

Governor Henry Smith"

Travis dispatched his final letter to the President David G. Burnet on March 3:[3]: 280

"Commandancy of the Alamo Bejar, March 3d 1836.

Sir : In the present confusion of the political authorities of the country, and in the absence of the commander-in-chief, I beg leave to communicate to you the situation of this garrison. You have doubtless already seen my official report of the action of the twenty-fifth ult. made on that day to Gen. Sam. Houston, together with the various communications heretofore sent by express, I shall therefore confine myself to what has transpired since that date.

From the twenty-fifth to the present date the enemy have kept up a bombardment from two howitzers, — one a five and a half inch, and the other an eight inch, — and a heavy cannonade from two long nine-pounders, mounted on a battery on the opposite side of the river at a distance of four hundred yards from our wall. During this period the enemy have been busily employed in encircling us in with entrenched encampments on all sides, at the following distance, to wit : In Bejar, four hundred yards west; in Lavilleta, three hundred yards south; at the powder house, one thousand yards east of south; on the ditch, eight hundred yards northeast, and at the old mill, eight hundred yards north. Notwithstanding all this, a company of thirty-two men from Gonzales, made their way in to us on the morning of the first inst. at three o'clock, and Col. J. B. Bonham (a courier from Gonzales) got in this morning at eleven o'clock, without molestation. I have fortified this place, so that the walls are generally proof against cannon balls; and I still continue to entrench on the inside, and strengthen walls by throwing up the dirt. At least two hundred shells have fallen inside of our works without having injured a single man; indeed we have been so fortunate as not to lose a man from any cause, and we have killed many of the enemy. The spirits of my men are still high, although they have had much to depress them. We have contended for ten days against an enemy whose numbers are variously estimated at from fifteen hundred to six thousand men, with General Ramirez Sesma and Colonel Batres, the aid-de-camp, of Santa Anna, at their head. A report was circulated that Santa Anna himself was with the enemy, but I think it was false. A reinforcement of about one thousand men is now entering Bejar, from the west, and I think it more than probable that Santa Anna is now in town, from the rejoicing we hear.

Colonel Fannin is said to be on the march to this place with reinforcements, but I fear it is not true, as I have repeatedly sent to him for aid without receiving any. Colonel Bonham, my special messenger, arrived at La Bahia fourteen days ago, with a request for aid; and on arrival of the enemy in Bejar, ten days ago, I sent an express to Colonel F., which arrived at Goliad on the next day, urging him to send us reinforcements; none have yet arrived. I look to the colonies alone for aid; unless it arrives soon, I shall have to fight the enemy on his own terms. I will, however, do the best I can under the circumstances; and I feel confident that the determined valor and desperate courage, heretofore exhibited by my men, will not fail them in the last struggle; and although they may be sacrificed to the vengeance of a Gothic enemy, the victory will cost the enemy so dear, that it will be worse for him than a defeat. I hope your honorable body will hasten on reinforcements, ammunition, and provisions to our aid as soon as possible. We have provisions for twenty days for the men we have. Our supply of ammunition is limited. At least five hundred pounds of cannon powder, and two hundred rounds of six, nine, twelve and eighteen pound balls, ten kegs of rifle powder and a supply of lead, should be sent to the place without delay, under a sufficient guard.

If these things are promptly sent, and large reinforcements are hastened to this frontier, this neighborhood will be the great and decisive ground. The power of Santa Anna is to be met here, or in the colonies; we had better meet them here than to suffer a war of devastation to rage in our settlements. A blood red banner waves from the church of Bejar, and in the camp above us, in token that the war is one of vengeance against rebels; they have declared us as such; demanded that we should surrender at discretion, or that this garrison should be put to the sword. Their threats have had no influence on me or my men, but to make all fight with desperation, and that high souled courage which characterizes the patriot, who is willing to die in defence of his country's liberty and his own honor.

The citizens of this municipality are all our enemies, except those who have joined us heretofore. We have but three Mexican now in the fort : those who have not joined us, in this extremity, should be declared public enemies, and their property should aid in paying the expenses of the war.

The bearer of this will give your honorable body a statement more in detail, should he escape through the enemy's lines.

God and Texas — Victory or Death.

Your obedient servant,

Barrett Travis,

Lieut. Col. Comm.

*************************************

After the fall of the Alamo

James’ brothers John Bolin NASH (1807-1880) and Jesse E. NASH (1805-1839) both fought in the Army of the Republic of Texas under General Sam HUSTON (1793-1863) at the Battle of San Jacinto, fought forty-six days after the fall of the Alamo on April 21, 1836, in present-day La Porte and Pasadena, Texas. , General Huston defeated the Mexican army of about 1,200–1,300 men under Antonio López de Santa Anna with by about 900 men mostly recent American arrivals in Texas was fought along the San Jacinto River, near the site of what was to be the city of Houston, the battle ensured the success of American settlers in the Texas Revolution (War of Texas Independence).

Jesse was later killed on May 26, 1839 at the Battle of Bird Creek, Temple, Republic of Texas. John was a real American Patriot serving as a drummer boy in the War of 1812 with his father, then the Texas Revolution of 1835 – 1836. The Mexican War 1847 – 1849 and Civil War 1861 – 1865. John was the second great-grandfather of Evelyn Virginia BIRD Linton (1922-2012).

Terry Louis Linton (author of article) standing in front of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas in 2007, on the fifth visit of six different visits starting in 1957 to his second favorite historical site.

"Remember The Alamo” Remembering & Honoring my 3^rd great granduncle James Hilton NASH (1810–1836) a Privet in the Gonzales Mounted Ranger Company and was killed defending the Alamo. Also, James "Jim" Rezin BOWIE (1795–1836) the brother-in-law of my 3^rd cousin 4x removed. Jim’s sister Mary BOWIE (1792-1842) married Abraham BIRD (1784-1860) the son of Captain Abraham BIRD (1756-1821) & Mary JONES (1761-1844).

Linton Research Fund Inc., Publication © 1987-2025 "Digging for our Roots"

James Hilton NASH (1810-1836)

Direct ancestral linkage:

James Hilton NASH (1810-1836)

Brother of John Bolin NASH (1807-1880) second great-grand father of Evelyn Virginia BIRD

Uncle of Amanda Matilda NASH (1846-1922)

granduncle of Drusilla GAY (1868-1948

great granduncle of Jeff Augustus "Gus" BIRD (1893-1954)

2^nd great-granduncle of Evelyn Virginia BIRD (1922-2012)

3^rd great granduncle of Kenneth Edward LINTON & Terry Louis LINTON

Photo by Brandon Seidel

“We exist because of our ancestors, let’s try not to forget them”

"That’s a beautiful and profound statement. Our ancestors’ experiences, struggles, and achievements have shaped the world we live in today. It’s important to honor and remember them, as they are a part of our history and identity”