Manuel N. Flores
Encyclopedia
Manuel Flores (ca. 1801-1868) served as a volunteer in the Texas army in 1835-1838. Fighting and commanding, he would rise through the ranks to reach Sergeant status during the fight for Texas independence and would be commissioned a Captain during the Republic Years.
:
During the Battle of Gonzales, a meeting would be held early in October 1835 at the Salvador Flores
Ranch (Manuel's brother), that would organize a volunteer force of Tejano ranchers that would favor the impending revolution. In Gonzales, immigrants, colonists, and Tejano
volunteers continued gathering. The Texian Army
would become a mixture of all peoples, interested in the cause of democracy. Manuel Flores would be in favor, and volunteer his services to Texas. Manuel Flores would be the courier to inform Stephen F. Austin
that Juan N. Seguin's company would join in at Bexar, against General Cos.
Siege of Bexar
:
As the attention of the commander of the Texian
volunteer forces, Stephen F. Austin
, now focuses on Bexar. Manuel's brother, Salvador Flores, along with Manuel Leal
, organized 41 Tejano volunteers from ranches southwest of San Antonio, where they reinforced the Texan forces on the Salado Creek
, in mid October, a few days after Juan Seguin
and Plácido Benavides
of Victoria had also gathered 70 men to aid Commander Stephen F. Austin
. Manuel Flores entered the company with Juan Seguin elected as commander. In December 1835, after a two month siege of Bexar, that finally ended in ferocious house to house fighting, Manuel Flores would participate in the removal of Gen. Martín Perfecto de Cos at the Siege of Bexar
.
Battle of the Alamo
:
Seguin said be brought 15 men into the Alamo. Lindley believed the Flores brothers were defending the Alamo some time near the siege. Manuel and the Tejano volunteers entered on March 23, His brother, Salvador Flores
was one of the 100 or so that had served at the Siege of Bexar
and remained in the Alamo with Colonel James C. Neill
. Somehow, they exited after Seguin's departure, thus making them survivors of the Alamo battle. In 1907, Alamo survivor Enrique Esparza stated that Santa Anna called an armistice for three days and he remembers the Flores leaving then It appears they took the chance to return home, then while checking on their families, they recruited a few more men from the area, (including more brothers). They then rendezvoused with Seguin in Gonzales. There, the Tejano defenders were joined by other men from Gonzales and proceeded westward to reinforce the Alamo. There, on the Cibolo, they waited to team up with Fannin. The Alamo fell before they could reach it.
Battle of San Jacinto
:
A company was reorganized in Gonzales during the first week of March 1836, and Manuel Flores became Captain Seguin's first sergeant. This force would now split up. Salvador Flores formed the western rear guard and would maintain this position offering protection from Mexican and Indian attack, while Sergeant Manuel Flores, with his brothers and brother-in-law gathered their company to follow Houston eastward. This company would block the Mexican army from crossing the Brazos river, preventing them from overtaking the Texians. Sergeant Manuel Flores together with Captain Juan Seguin, Corporal Nepomuceno Flores, Private Jose Maria Flores and their Tejano company would then join in with Houston and Rusk to overtake Santa Anna's army, in the rout at the Battle of San Jacinto
.
Manuel Flores is credited for taking the lead in the final charge against Santa Anna's army at San Jacinto. Although originally a cavalry company, they would fight with Sherman's force as infantry. José Maria Rodriquez states in his book, Memoirs of Early Texas, that during the final charge, the Texan's fired and fell to the ground waiting for a volley from the Mexican camp, but Manuel Flores remained standing and challenged the Texican Army to "get up" and follow his lead, for the Mexican's were running! They got up and pursued the Army, taking many prisoners.
in 1838. and in 1838 he established a ranch on the south side of the Guadalupe River directly across from Seguin, Texas
. Being one of the larger operating ranches of the time, it was visited by German Geologist Ferdinand Von Roemer in 1846 and described in his works, Die Kreidebildungen von Texas and ihre organischen Einschliisse (1852).
In 1842, San Antonio would be overrun twice, by Santa Anna
's forces. During March 1842, the citizens of San Antonio would seek refuge at Manuel Flores Ranch in the city of Seguin, Texas
. Here, a counter attack was planned and Manuel Flores was a member of the party that pursued the army of Ráfael Vásquez
. Even though his brother-in-law, Juan Seguin
had also joined in the pursuit that chased the invaders from Texas, Seguin was doomed to be blamed for the invasion.
.
A Texas State Historical Marker was placed at the Floresville courthouse during the 1986 Texas sesquicentennial. It now stands in honor to Manuel Flores and his family for their service to Texas.
Texas Revolution
Battle of GonzalesBattle of Gonzales
The Battle of Gonzales was the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. It was fought near Gonzales, Texas, on October 2, 1835, between rebellious Texian settlers and a detachment of Mexican army troops....
:
During the Battle of Gonzales, a meeting would be held early in October 1835 at the Salvador Flores
Salvador Flores
Salvador Flores served as a volunteer in the Texan Army in 1835–1836. He was instrumental in organizing and commanding Texian volunteers in support of the Texas Revolution. He participated in many battles and would rise through the ranks to reach Captain status during the fight for Texas...
Ranch (Manuel's brother), that would organize a volunteer force of Tejano ranchers that would favor the impending revolution. In Gonzales, immigrants, colonists, and Tejano
Tejano
Tejano or Texano is a term used to identify a Texan of Mexican heritage.Historically, the Spanish term Tejano has been used to identify different groups of people...
volunteers continued gathering. The Texian Army
Texian Army
The Texian Army was a military organization consisting of volunteer and regular soldiers who fought against the Mexican army during the Texas Revolution. Approximately 3,700 men joined the army between October 2, 1835 during the Battle of Gonzales through the end of the war on April 21, 1836, at...
would become a mixture of all peoples, interested in the cause of democracy. Manuel Flores would be in favor, and volunteer his services to Texas. Manuel Flores would be the courier to inform Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen Fuller Austin was born in Virginia and raised in southeastern Missouri. He was known as the Father of Texas, led the second, but first legal and ultimately successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States. The capital of Texas, Austin in Travis County,...
that Juan N. Seguin's company would join in at Bexar, against General Cos.
Siege of Bexar
Siege of Bexar
The Siege of Béxar was an early campaign of the Texas Revolution in which a volunteer Texan army successfully defeated Mexican forces at San Antonio de Béxar . Texians had become disillusioned with the Mexican government as President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's tenure became increasingly...
:
As the attention of the commander of the Texian
Texian
Texian is an archaic, mostly defunct 19th century demonym which defined a settler of current-day Texas, one of the southern states of the United States of America which borders the country of Mexico...
volunteer forces, Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen Fuller Austin was born in Virginia and raised in southeastern Missouri. He was known as the Father of Texas, led the second, but first legal and ultimately successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States. The capital of Texas, Austin in Travis County,...
, now focuses on Bexar. Manuel's brother, Salvador Flores, along with Manuel Leal
Manuel Antonio Santiago Tarin
Manuel Antonio Santiago Tarín was a Mexican soldier and a recruiter and participant in the Texas Revolution on the Texian side.-Early life:He was born in San Antonio de Béxar...
, organized 41 Tejano volunteers from ranches southwest of San Antonio, where they reinforced the Texan forces on the Salado Creek
Salado Creek
Salado Creek is a waterway in San Antonio that runs from Northern Bexar County for about to the San Antonio River near Buena Vista.-Watershed:...
, in mid October, a few days after Juan Seguin
Juan Seguín
Juan Nepomuceno Seguín was a 19th-century Texas Senator, Mayor, Judge, and Justice of the Peace and a prominent participant in the Texas Revolution.-Early life and family:...
and Plácido Benavides
Plácido Benavides
Plácido Benavides was an early Mexican-born settler in De Leon's Colony, Victoria County, Texas. Benavides earned himself the sobriquet of the Paul Revere of Texas for his 1836 journey from San Patricio to Goliad to Victoria, warning residents of the approaching Mexican army. He was twice elected...
of Victoria had also gathered 70 men to aid Commander Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen Fuller Austin was born in Virginia and raised in southeastern Missouri. He was known as the Father of Texas, led the second, but first legal and ultimately successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States. The capital of Texas, Austin in Travis County,...
. Manuel Flores entered the company with Juan Seguin elected as commander. In December 1835, after a two month siege of Bexar, that finally ended in ferocious house to house fighting, Manuel Flores would participate in the removal of Gen. Martín Perfecto de Cos at the Siege of Bexar
Siege of Bexar
The Siege of Béxar was an early campaign of the Texas Revolution in which a volunteer Texan army successfully defeated Mexican forces at San Antonio de Béxar . Texians had become disillusioned with the Mexican government as President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's tenure became increasingly...
.
Battle of the Alamo
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar . All but two of the Texian defenders were killed...
:
Seguin said be brought 15 men into the Alamo. Lindley believed the Flores brothers were defending the Alamo some time near the siege. Manuel and the Tejano volunteers entered on March 23, His brother, Salvador Flores
Salvador Flores
Salvador Flores served as a volunteer in the Texan Army in 1835–1836. He was instrumental in organizing and commanding Texian volunteers in support of the Texas Revolution. He participated in many battles and would rise through the ranks to reach Captain status during the fight for Texas...
was one of the 100 or so that had served at the Siege of Bexar
Siege of Bexar
The Siege of Béxar was an early campaign of the Texas Revolution in which a volunteer Texan army successfully defeated Mexican forces at San Antonio de Béxar . Texians had become disillusioned with the Mexican government as President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's tenure became increasingly...
and remained in the Alamo with Colonel James C. Neill
James C. Neill
↔James Clinton Neill was a 19th-century American soldier and politician, most noted for his role in the Texas Revolution and the early defense of the Alamo. He was born in North Carolina.-Early life and career:...
. Somehow, they exited after Seguin's departure, thus making them survivors of the Alamo battle. In 1907, Alamo survivor Enrique Esparza stated that Santa Anna called an armistice for three days and he remembers the Flores leaving then It appears they took the chance to return home, then while checking on their families, they recruited a few more men from the area, (including more brothers). They then rendezvoused with Seguin in Gonzales. There, the Tejano defenders were joined by other men from Gonzales and proceeded westward to reinforce the Alamo. There, on the Cibolo, they waited to team up with Fannin. The Alamo fell before they could reach it.
Battle of San Jacinto
Battle of San Jacinto
The Battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21, 1836, in present-day Harris County, Texas, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the Texian Army engaged and defeated General Antonio López de Santa Anna's Mexican forces in a fight that lasted just eighteen...
:
A company was reorganized in Gonzales during the first week of March 1836, and Manuel Flores became Captain Seguin's first sergeant. This force would now split up. Salvador Flores formed the western rear guard and would maintain this position offering protection from Mexican and Indian attack, while Sergeant Manuel Flores, with his brothers and brother-in-law gathered their company to follow Houston eastward. This company would block the Mexican army from crossing the Brazos river, preventing them from overtaking the Texians. Sergeant Manuel Flores together with Captain Juan Seguin, Corporal Nepomuceno Flores, Private Jose Maria Flores and their Tejano company would then join in with Houston and Rusk to overtake Santa Anna's army, in the rout at the Battle of San Jacinto
Battle of San Jacinto
The Battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21, 1836, in present-day Harris County, Texas, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the Texian Army engaged and defeated General Antonio López de Santa Anna's Mexican forces in a fight that lasted just eighteen...
.
Manuel Flores is credited for taking the lead in the final charge against Santa Anna's army at San Jacinto. Although originally a cavalry company, they would fight with Sherman's force as infantry. José Maria Rodriquez states in his book, Memoirs of Early Texas, that during the final charge, the Texan's fired and fell to the ground waiting for a volley from the Mexican camp, but Manuel Flores remained standing and challenged the Texican Army to "get up" and follow his lead, for the Mexican's were running! They got up and pursued the Army, taking many prisoners.
Republic of Texas
After the Texas Revolution, he was commissioned as First Lieutenant in Company B of the Second Regiment of Cavalry. Next he was commissioned the Captain of a Calvary company in defence of the new republic, participating in much the same way a ranger company would.He is often confused with the Mexican emissary also named Manuel Flores, who was killed at the battle of the San GabrielsBattle of the San Gabriels
The Battle of the San Gabriels was an 1839 skirmish in the Texas-Indian Wars.Beginning on 15 May 1838, a company of Texas Rangers under Lt. James O. Rice pursued the Mexican agent Manuel Flores and his party of Mexicans and Indians, following their murder of four surveyors working between Seguin...
in 1838. and in 1838 he established a ranch on the south side of the Guadalupe River directly across from Seguin, Texas
Seguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
. Being one of the larger operating ranches of the time, it was visited by German Geologist Ferdinand Von Roemer in 1846 and described in his works, Die Kreidebildungen von Texas and ihre organischen Einschliisse (1852).
In 1842, San Antonio would be overrun twice, by Santa Anna
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón , often known as Santa Anna or López de Santa Anna, known as "the Napoleon of the West," was a Mexican political leader, general, and president who greatly influenced early Mexican and Spanish politics and government...
's forces. During March 1842, the citizens of San Antonio would seek refuge at Manuel Flores Ranch in the city of Seguin, Texas
Seguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
. Here, a counter attack was planned and Manuel Flores was a member of the party that pursued the army of Ráfael Vásquez
Ráfael Vásquez (Mexican general)
Ráfael Vásquez was a 19th-Century General in the Mexican Army during the Mexican rebellion against the centralist style rule of government.-Early life:...
. Even though his brother-in-law, Juan Seguin
Juan Seguín
Juan Nepomuceno Seguín was a 19th-century Texas Senator, Mayor, Judge, and Justice of the Peace and a prominent participant in the Texas Revolution.-Early life and family:...
had also joined in the pursuit that chased the invaders from Texas, Seguin was doomed to be blamed for the invasion.
Legacy
In later years, the Flores descendants would be the ones to donate the land for the establishment of the City in Texas that bears their name: Floresville, TexasFloresville, Texas
Floresville is a city in Wilson County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,868 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wilson County. The city is also part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area....
.
A Texas State Historical Marker was placed at the Floresville courthouse during the 1986 Texas sesquicentennial. It now stands in honor to Manuel Flores and his family for their service to Texas.
See also
- List of Texas Revolution battles
- Timeline of the Texas RevolutionTimeline of the Texas RevolutionThis is a timeline of the Texas Revolution, spanning the time from the earliest independence movements of the area of Texas, over the declaration of independence from Spain, up to the secession of the Republic of Texas from Mexico....
- Juan SeguinJuan SeguínJuan Nepomuceno Seguín was a 19th-century Texas Senator, Mayor, Judge, and Justice of the Peace and a prominent participant in the Texas Revolution.-Early life and family:...
- Salvador FloresSalvador FloresSalvador Flores served as a volunteer in the Texan Army in 1835–1836. He was instrumental in organizing and commanding Texian volunteers in support of the Texas Revolution. He participated in many battles and would rise through the ranks to reach Captain status during the fight for Texas...