Mexican flag captured by Texans at the Battle of San Jacinto,
April 21, 1836.
M499
Donated by Mr. D.K. Caldwell.

This flag is said to be Santa Anna's Headquarter's flag, captured at the Battle of San Jacinto by Major Henry Percy Brewster. Major Brewster, a native of South Carolina, heard about the Texas Revolution while traveling in Alabama; after traveling on to New Orleans, he was recruited for service in the Texas army by Lt. Meriwether Woodson Smith. At San Jacinto, Brewster was assigned to a single day of fighting, following his service as Sam Houston's personal secretary. At some point, the flag became the property of William P. Gould, the foster son of Col. John Mackee of Alabama. McKee was a cousin of Houston's and government agent to the Choctaw Indians. The flag was kept at the McKee residence "Hill of Howth" in Boligee, Alabama, for almost a century, until Gould's heirs transferred it to the possession of D.K.Caldwell of Tyler. Mr. Caldwell's brother had married into the Gould family, and the family was pleased by the fact that the flag would finally be making its way back to Texas with him. The flag was acquired by the Dallas Historical Society on April 21, 1949.