Thomas Jackson: Alamo Defender and Immortal 32 Member
Early Life and Family Background
Birth: Thomas Jackson was born around 1790’s in the Ireland .
Family: In 1826, he married Louisa (or Louise) Cottle in Missouri (Jackson, Thomas - TSHA). Louisa was the sister of George Washington Cottle (another future Alamo defender), making George his brother-in-law (Jackson, Thomas | The Alamo).
Children: Jackson and Louisa had three children (some sources say four) (Jackson, Thomas | The Alamo) (Jackson, Thomas - TSHA). Providing for this young family was a major part of Jackson’s early responsibilities.
Journey to Texas and Joining the Texian Cause
Emigration to Texas: Jackson migrated to Mexican Texas in the summer of 1829, during the era of Anglo-American colonization. On July 6, 1829, he arrived in Green DeWitt’s colony (around Gonzales, Texas) and by May 1, 1831, he registered for a land grant of one league and one labor (a sizable tract) as a settler (Jackson, Thomas | The Alamo). This move offered him new opportunities as a farmer/rancher on the Texas frontier.
Settler Context: Like many American settlers in Texas, Jackson came seeking land and opportunity under the Mexican government’s colonization laws. He settled in Gonzales, a town that would soon become a hotbed of resistance to Santa Anna’s policies.
Growing Tensions: By the mid-1830s, political strain between Texas colonists and the Mexican central government was high. Jackson was among the colonists of U.S. origin who opposed the Mexican government’s centralization of power, aligning himself with the Texian cause for autonomy (List of Alamo defenders - Wikipedia). The Texians (Anglo settlers) and many Tejanos (Texas-born Mexicans) resented Santa Anna’s dictatorship and chose to resist, setting the stage for the Texas Revolution.
Role in the Texas Revolution (1835–1836)
“Old Eighteen” at Gonzales: At the outbreak of the Texas Revolution in October 1835, Jackson emerged as one of the “Old Eighteen,” the eighteen Gonzales men who initially stood against Mexican troops attempting to seize a small cannon from the town (Jackson, Thomas ( ca. 1799–1836) - TSHA). On October 2, 1835, during the Battle of Gonzales (Texas’s first skirmish for independence), Jackson helped repel the Mexican detachment – a moment famously marked by the “Come and Take It” challenge. His participation in defending the Gonzales cannon demonstrated his early commitment to the Texian cause (Jackson, Thomas ( ca. 1799–1836) - TSHA).
Community Leader: Jackson was a resident of Gonzales and likely a member of the local militia. His courage at Gonzales earned him respect as a community defender. Over the following months, as the Texas Revolution continued, Jackson remained ready to serve.
Volunteer Company: By early 1836, Jackson had joined the Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers, a militia unit formed in Gonzales. He is noted to have held the rank of First Lieutenant in this company (Jackson, Thomas ( ca. 1799–1836) - TSHA). (The company’s captain/leader was Lt. George C. Kimble, and many members were the same men who fought at Gonzales.) Jackson’s role as an officer suggests he was trusted and had some military or leadership experience.
Answering the Call: In late February 1836, the Alamo garrison’s commander, William B. Travis, sent out urgent letters pleading for reinforcements as the Alamo in San Antonio came under siege by Santa Anna. Jackson and the Gonzales volunteers answered this call. They hastily mustered to go to the Alamo’s aid, even as other Texas settlements struggled to send help.
Participation in the Defense of the Alamo
Reinforcing the Alamo: Jackson was one of the 32 volunteers from Gonzales who rode to the Alamo’s relief. In the pre-dawn hours of March 1, 1836, this group – later known as the “Immortal 32” – fought their way through Mexican lines to enter the beleaguered Alamo fortress (Into the Valley of Death: Texas’s Immortal 32 - Petticoats & Pistols). They were the only Texian reinforcements to answer Travis’s appeal for help. Jackson arrived with this group, bringing the defenders’ total strength to roughly 180 men.
Siege Duty: For the next five days (March 1–5, 1836), Jackson served as part of the Alamo garrison during the final stretch of the 13-day siege. The defenders endured constant artillery bombardment and probing attacks. Jackson, as a newly arrived volunteer and a lieutenant, likely took up a position on the walls or courtyard, augmenting the defenses wherever needed. (Specific details of his duties are not recorded, but all men were assigned to bolster the fort’s weak points under Travis’s command.)
Alongside Family: Notably, Jackson was stationed at the Alamo alongside his brother-in-law, George Washington Cottle, who had come with him from Gonzales. The two had ridden out together and now faced the enemy side by side. Their presence exemplified how the struggle often involved families and close-knit groups of settlers.
Morale and Resolve: The arrival of Jackson and the other Gonzales men boosted the morale of the Alamo defenders. They brought news that others were trying to gather help (though ultimately no larger relief force arrived in time). Jackson’s very presence was a sign to Travis and his men that Gonzales and presumably the rest of Texas had not forgotten them. Travis publicly praised the Gonzales riders for their bravery in coming. Despite being heavily outnumbered (Santa Anna had several thousand troops around the Alamo), Jackson and his comrades stood firm, prepared to fight to the end.
Final Stand and Death at the Alamo
The Final Assault: In the early morning hours of March 6, 1836, the Mexican Army launched a full-scale assault on the Alamo. Thomas Jackson took part in the fierce defense as Santa Anna’s soldiers stormed the walls before dawn. In the brutal close-quarters battle that ensued, Jackson fought alongside the other defenders as they repelled waves of attackers room by room.
Fate of the Defenders: Ultimately, the Alamo was overrun. Thomas Jackson was killed in action on March 6, 1836, along with all of the Texian combatants in the fortress (Immortal 32 - Wikipedia). He died in the company of his fellow Gonzales men, including his brother-in-law George W. Cottle, who fell at his side (George Washington Cottle (1811-1836) - Find a Grave Memorial). None of the Alamo’s defenders survived the battle; only a few non-combatants (women, children, and a slave) were spared by the Mexican troops.
Aftermath of Death: Following the battle, on Santa Anna’s orders, the bodies of Jackson and the other fallen defenders were piled and burned outside the Alamo walls (Immortal 32 - Wikipedia). This means Jackson’s remains were likely cremated in the mass funeral pyres, with no marked grave. (A few weeks after the battle, some partially burned remains were reportedly buried by local people, and today there is a crypt in San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio purported to hold ashes of Alamo heroes.)
Family Impact: Jackson’s death left his wife Louisa a widow with young children. In the years immediately after, the community and family took steps to secure his legacy. Louisa Jackson later remarried (she wed James B. Hinds some time after 1836), which was common for widows on the frontier (Thomas J Jackson (unknown-1836) - Find a Grave Memorial). Thomas’s brother-in-law Almond Cottle acted on behalf of Jackson’s heirs; for example, Almond Cottle represented the Jackson children in Gonzales County tax rolls of 1839 (Thomas J Jackson (unknown-1836) - Find a Grave Memorial). These actions indicate that Jackson’s land and any posthumous benefits (such as land grants for his military service) were managed for his family’s welfare.
Historical Legacy and Recognition
Immortal 32 Centennial Monument (1936) in Gonzales, Texas, honoring the 32 men from Gonzales (including Thomas Jackson) who died at the Alamo.
Immortalized in History: Thomas Jackson’s courage and sacrifice have been honored in Texas history as part of the Immortal 32 – the only unit to reinforce the Alamo garrison during the siege (Immortal 32 - Wikipedia). This group’s story became legendary, symbolizing selfless service and fidelity to the cause of Texan independence.
Monuments: Jackson’s name is engraved on several memorials commemorating the Alamo defenders. In his home town of Gonzales, a Centennial Monument (dedicated in 1936 for Texas’s 100th anniversary) stands in front of the Gonzales Memorial Museum, listing each of the Immortal 32 (Immortal 32 - Wikipedia). Likewise, in San Antonio, the Alamo Cenotaph (a large monument erected in 1939) bears Jackson’s name among the 187 fallen Alamo defenders (List of Alamo defenders - Wikipedia). These monuments ensure that his contribution is not forgotten. Additionally, a stone tablet on the Alamo grounds specifically honors the Immortal 32, and a section of the Gonzales Pioneer Village cemetery is dedicated to their memory (Into the Valley of Death: Texas’s Immortal 32 - Petticoats & Pistols).
Texas Honor: The State of Texas recognized the sacrifice of men like Jackson. The Republic of Texas (and later the state) granted land bounties and pensions to the families of Alamo victims as a token of gratitude. Jackson’s family would have been eligible for such benefits, reflecting how Texas formally honored its heroes.
Historical Records: Jackson’s role is documented in historical registers and texts about the Alamo. He is often noted with the Gonzales company and distinguished from another Texian officer of similar name. Scholars (such as Amelia W. Williams and later historians) included Jackson in their definitive lists of Alamo defenders, solidifying his place in the historical narrative (Immortal 32 - Wikipedia). His name appears in the Telegraph and Texas Register lists of March 1836 and on official rosters of those who “fell with Travis.”
Local Legend: In Gonzales, Thomas Jackson is remembered as one of the town’s own who went knowingly to almost certain death out of duty. This legacy of local pride has been passed down through generations. Gonzales is often called the “Lexington of Texas” for its role in the revolution, and Jackson’s story is a key part of that heritage.
Broader Context: The Immortal 32 and the Battle of the Alamo
Who Were the Immortal 32? The “Immortal 32” refers to the thirty-two men from Gonzales (Jackson among them) who answered the Alamo’s call for help while the mission was under siege. They volunteered despite the great danger, arriving on March 1, 1836, to join the defenders (Into the Valley of Death: Texas’s Immortal 32 - Petticoats & Pistols). This company was the only group of reinforcements to reach the Alamo in time. Their brave dash through enemy lines has been celebrated in Texas history due to its near-suicidal heroism. All 32 (and the rest of the garrison) were killed in the final assault, sacrificing their lives for Texas liberty (Immortal 32 - Wikipedia). Their stand earned them the label “Immortal,” as later Texans viewed their memory as forever alive in the annals of the state.
The Battle of the Alamo: The Alamo siege (Feb 23 – Mar 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. About 200 Texian defenders, including the Immortal 32, held off President Antonio López de Santa Anna’s much larger Mexican army for 13 days. Although the defenders were ultimately wiped out, their resistance inflicted significant losses on the Mexican Army and bought time for Texas to organize. The fall of the Alamo shocked and galvanized Texians.
“Remember the Alamo!”: News of the massacre at the Alamo spread across Texas, fueling outrage and resolve. “Remember the Alamo” became a famous rallying cry for Texian forces (Into the Valley of Death: Texas’s Immortal 32 - Petticoats & Pistols). Just over six weeks later, on April 21, 1836, Texian troops won a decisive victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, defeating Santa Anna and securing Texas independence. The courage of men like Thomas Jackson and the Immortal 32 contributed to this victory – their sacrifice inspired the fighters at San Jacinto to fight harder for their fallen compatriots.
Legacy in Texas Independence: In the broader scope, Thomas Jackson’s story is one thread in the tapestry of the Texas Revolution. The Alamo’s defense, though a defeat, became a symbol of heroic resistance. Jackson and his fellow volunteers exemplified the unity and determination of Texians from various backgrounds (American-born settlers and native Texans alike) in pursuit of self-governance. Their memory has been kept alive in textbooks, historical novels, and popular culture as an example of ultimate patriotism. Every year, ceremonies in San Antonio and Gonzales commemorate the Alamo defenders, ensuring that figures like Thomas Jackson remain a venerated part of Texas history.
Summary of Thomas Jackson’s Contributions
Community Defender: From the first shot at Gonzales to the last stand at the Alamo, Jackson was actively engaged in the fight for Texas freedom. He literally defended his home community and then gave his life in its ultimate defense.
Alamo Reinforcement: His decision to ride to the Alamo with the Gonzales relief force highlights his bravery and commitment. It also underlines the fact that the Texian cause relied on ordinary settlers stepping up in extraordinary ways.
Martyr for Liberty: Jackson’s death at the Alamo, alongside all his comrades, made him a martyr for Texas independence. This sacrifice had a profound impact on the course of the revolution, serving as a catalyst for eventual victory.
Remembered Hero: Today, Thomas Jackson is remembered not for any one remarkable deed, but for steadfastly doing his duty – as a husband/father securing a future in Texas, as a militiaman defending rights, and as a soldier who stood his ground against overwhelming odds. His life story, though tragically cut short, is an integral chapter in the legend of the Alamo and the birth of the Republic of Texas.