NOAH SMITHWICK DESCRIBED THE TEXAS ARMY that marched on Bexar in 1835 by saying, “Words are inadequate to convey an impression of the appearance of the first Texas army as it formed in marching order. Nothing short of ocular demonstration could do it justice. It certainly bore little resemblance to the army of my childhood dreams.”
Although Smithwick wasn’t with the army at San Jacinto (his company arrived after the battle), his description was still accurate.
Lacking an official uniform, Texian soldiers’ attire ranged from buckskins and coonskin caps to ready-made clothes for wealthy planters.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, the Mexican army’s outfits were also in disarray. While the Mexican army had formal uniforms, supply shortages meant that soldiers wore whatever was available, regardless of whether it matched the rest of their unit.
Learn more about the clothes worn by the soldiers fighting in the Texas Revolution and the civilians fleeing in the Runaway Scrape and make your own Texas Revolution paper doll.
Where: San Jacinto Museum
Age Range: Kids 5+; younger children are welcome, but will need to have an adult to help.
Cost: Free