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One of the confusing things about the Second Texas War of Independence is trying to keep track of the militia companies from the 'States.

Local guard and militia companies were popular social organizations back in the United States in that era and a number were raised, primarily in the South, to go fight in Texas. Although originally local in origin, membership in these militias was fluid and it was common for additional recruits from other states to be incorporated en-route. Likewise, once in Texas, individual members or whole platoons might switch to becoming part of another militia. Even so, for the most part these men expected to elect and serve under their own officers. The significance of all of this is that these organizations could hugely complicate the chain of command for guys like Fannin.

One thing the presence of these militias illustrates too is that the Second Texas War of Independence was largely a privately-funded venture, these militia companies initially being armed, dressed and equipped by wealthy individuals or consortiums of the same. The motive of these financial backers was to make a risky but potentially lucrative investment, the motives of the actual volunteers were a mixture of adventure, idealism, simple employment, and for the prospect of generous land grants if victorious.

Two of the militias; the Alabama Red Rovers and the Georgia Battalion of Permanent Volunteers, were also supplied by their home state arsenals. Uniforms varies from the US Army-like attire (complete with dress version) of the New Orleans Greys through the red but otherwise civilian-looking attire of the Alabama Red Rovers to outfits like the Kentucky Mustangs for whom no uniform is recorded at all (members of all four of these militias would be present at Goliad).

Once in Texas, supplies from their financial backers could become sporadic or non-existent and most of these militias were reduced to being "nearly naked and in rags" within a few months of arrival.

The best-remembered of these militia companies today is the New Orleans Greys, remembered because several died at the Alamo and because their now-famous banner taken from there was triumphantly siezed by Santa Anna and sent to Mexico City as proof that he was indeed fighting pirates ie. non-citizens looking to take over Texas.



The New Orleans Greys (to distinguish them from the Mobile Greys, the and the San Antonio Greys, likewise present at Goliad) were financed by a wealthy German Jewish immigrant to American and Texas, one Adolphus Stern. Two companies were formed amid pomp, ceremony and celebration in New Orleans in October of 1835.

One company (54 volunters issued with Springfield Muskets) traveled by steamboat upriver to Arkansas and entered Texas by an overland route, their famous banner being given to them by the ladies of a Texian community en-route. The other company, 68 volunteers issued with rifles and accompanied by a now-famous 18 pounder cannon, took ship for the Texas Coast. The eventual fates of just 51 of these 122 men are known.

Both companies converged on San Antonio in time to take part in the December battle wherein the Centralist force under General Cos was driven inside the Alamo, besieged, and finally allowed to return to Mexico proper.

In January the company split, most of both companies joining the Matamoras Expedition of Johnson and Grant. At least 23 remained behind at the Alamo with the iconic banner and would die there. Possibly all of those who traveled south to Goliad with Grant and Johnson quit the expedition at Houston's urging at Goliad, 21 of these men later died in the Goliad Massacre.

As many as 50 of the New Orleans Greys had left Goliad before that final battle and massacre to join the volunteers staging at Gonzales in order to relieve the Alamo defenders, but arrived too late and so escaped death at both locales. At least seven of these men, still in their signature uniforms, are known to have fought at San Jacinto.

Birdwatcher