"The Yellow Rose Of Texas"

The history of the "Lone Star State" is a colorful blend of fact, fiction, and pure fantasy. Although the blend will vary from story to story, the end result is frequently humorous and always interesting. This is the story of Emily Morgan, a woman whose rare beauty and unique "war effort", may have directly contributed to the birth of a new nation …..TEXAS!

At the time of the Texas Revolution, Emily Morgan was a young and strikingly beautiful mulatto slave, belonging to Colonel James Morgan of Harrisburg, Texas. In order to circumvent Mexican law, which prohibited slavery, Colonel Morgan had "freed" his slaves, signing them instead to a ninety-nine year term as indentured servants.

Santa Anna, the ruthless dictator of Mexico, and his army of five thousand battle hardened troops, were pursuing the remnants of the volunteer Texas Army under General Sam Houston. Fresh from victories at Goliad and The Alamo, the "Napoleon of the West" sent dispatches to Mexico City predicting total annihilation of the Texas rebels within a few weeks.

According to legend, Santa Anna and his troops entered Harrisburg on April 19, 1836. Colonel Morgan's servants, including the lovely Emily, were at work, loading a flatboat. Santa Anna admired the tall, long-haired siren, describing her as a "very comely, Latin- looking woman, of about twenty." Santa Anna immediately ordered his army to make camp and had Emily assigned as his personal servant in the Marquee, or Presidential tent. Santa Anna had a well-known reputation as a womanizer, and was reported to have staged several "weddings", at which an adjutant posed as the priest.

Santa Anna's decision to make camp and, to entertain Emily Morgan would soon prove to be the two costliest blunders of his military career. As fate dictated, the spot he had chosen, contrary to the advice of his staff, happened to be surrounded on three sides by water and swamps.

Santa Anna spent the remainder of the day and the entire night in Emily's arms, oblivious to the world beyond his tent. On the morning of April 20,1836, the Mexican Generals assembled their troops in preparation for the attack on the Texas Army. However, Santa Anna was still occupied by the lovely Emily, and left orders not to be disturbed.

By 2:30 that afternoon, the Mexican soldiers, bored and full from the noon meal, began their traditional siesta, or afternoon nap. Seeing that the Mexicans were totally unprepared, Sam Houston gave the order to attack. Outnumbered thirty to one, the Texans staged a furious surprise assault, and completely routed their unsuspecting enemy.

The Battle of San Jacinto lasted only about twenty minutes, but resulted in the capture of Santa Anna, literally "with his pants down", and ended Mexico's rule of Texas, ……Forever!

For her unselfish sacrifice, complete disregard for personal safety, and bravery "in the face" of a mortal enemy, Emily Morgan has been forever immortalized in Texas history and song as " The Yellow Rose Of Texas--the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew".

MWO