"Has anyone read the Secret war for Texas?" Topic
8 Posts
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Major General Stanley | 05 Feb 2022 10:11 a.m. PST |
The Book about Dr James Grant as a British agent. It sounds interesting, but at $40 USD odd for even the Kindle edition its a bit steep for a dud. |
Regicide1649 | 05 Feb 2022 10:57 a.m. PST |
I have read it and it is certainly interesting, but probably hogwash in regard to Grant's significance other than as an eccentric individual such that the 19th Century seemed to throw up. He reads like a failed Cecil Rhodes, for instance, primarilly motivated by profit; and less of an idealist such as Austin or Houston. I don't think it's a dud – and it would probably make a better movie than work of history – but 40 USD does seem high. I can access it free through the university I work at…. so if you have more specific questions, please ask away. It may contain nuggets about the formation of Texas I am not even aware are significant. |
Major General Stanley | 08 Feb 2022 12:15 p.m. PST |
Thanks, I had come across the mysterious Edward Edwards and was mildly interested in the whole notion. it seems woefully underfunded if the British government was actually pushing for a revolution |
Regicide1649 | 08 Feb 2022 12:38 p.m. PST |
Haden Edwards of the Fredonian Rebellion? There is 5-6 pages about the Nacogdoches incident, the author's conclusion being that it was an ill-planned fiasco. I think the idea of Lord Palmerston debating in Cabinet the exploits of the likes of Grant and a band of 40 or so pistoleers is over-stated. But the book is strong on period flavour and the author is a direct descendant of Grant, which adds maybe another dimension. If it was $20 USD US, I would buy it. But it seems inconsistent to argue that Britain would go to such lengths to keep Texas out of the Union at the same time as it was selling off Oregon. |
Major General Stanley | 09 Feb 2022 8:52 a.m. PST |
No, Colonel Edward Edwards was an even more obscure character in Texas history. He supposedly disappeared in Texas at the time of the revolution. Somebody found a corpse with his ring on the road between Gonzales and Goliad. A memorial plaque at his family church in Wales says he died on March 6th, 1836, in San Antonio. Details are rather scarce and fuzzy, but he was an officer in the HEIC. Grant was in the HEIC! So were these proto-MI6 agents off to save the world from Manifest Destiny? Were they old buddies going to tear up the town in old Mexico? Was it just coincidence? Want more proof? Grant was a Scot and Edwards was Welsh. 007 was a Scot and Q was Welsh! Coincidence, I think not! Edwards is the subject of even harder to find book by a guy named Shearring, "The Mysterious Life and Death of Colonel Edwards". Apparently its 22 pages long and hard to find. |
Regicide1649 | 09 Feb 2022 11:02 a.m. PST |
Maybe I need to rethink the entire history of the American continent in the 19th Century as a British ex-pat conspiracy! My uni library doesn't have the Edwards work, sorry, man. The Grant book does have quite a lot about the 'Edwardses' as a political family, i.e. not just Haden and brother Benjamin. One of the comapany commanders at Bexar, for instance… I am starting to think that you might get more out of this book, with your knowledge, than I have, knowing way, way less. Let me dig into it a few minutes. It is odd that Edward Edwards is not mentioned, however. |
Regicide1649 | 09 Feb 2022 11:20 a.m. PST |
Having checked references, I think the 'Edwardses' here are the family of Haden and his brother. No connection to Edward is suggested that I can see, but I am starting to be drawn in myself. The detail given of the storming of Bexar, with map, is fascinating, for instance, at least to this layman. The book overall may at least have pointers to the solution of the Edwards mystery. I am happy to look into it further if you want, my friend. |
Major General Stanley | 10 Feb 2022 12:05 a.m. PST |
i think i'll probably bite the bullet and buy the kindle book. curiosity killed the cat and all that. if you happen across the little booklet on Edwards let me know. |
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