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Editorial Review:
“I am guilty of many things. And one of them, and you can ask Giles here, is strategizing,
even conniving, to make this a better place.” – Sam Houston
There have been many stories and films, most about the fall of the infamous Alamo during the
Texas Revolution which started in October 1835 and ended in August 1836. None, however,
epitomizes the account quite like Author Peter Schram’s version of the Texas Revolution. The
author himself a direct descendant of his main character Giles Gildean details a powerful
different view of the Texas Revolution from the usual main players of the Texas Revolution.
Of course, all the main players: Stephen Austin, Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett William Travis are
present however, they take a back seat from their usual front row seats they reside in the history books, and even Sam Houston at times. This story centers around Giles Gildean a young surveyor who travels to Texas to seek his fortune. After traveling town to town in Eastern Texas he arrives in Nacogdoches and lady luck steers him to Sam Houston’s law office.
Houston offers him a job and a place to live on the frontier outside of Nacogdoches and he
begins his journey. One night he meets Ellie a beautiful young lady in a local tavern. They fall in love and Giles convinces her she would be better off with him than working at the tavern.
Whether you love Texas or not, is mute. This is a story of freedom versus tyranny, oppression
verses human rights. In the hearts and minds of the many Europeans, Mexicans, who sought a
better life and decided to make a life in Texas. In the early history of Texas, a Sam Houston
quote stands out:
“In the name of the Texas Constitution I refuse to take this oath. I love Texas too well to bring
civil strife and bloodshed upon her.”
In the beginning the people of Texas wanted Sam Houston as their leader. Talk of rebellion
against the tyranny of Santa Anna’s proclamation that no more Americans were to be allowed in Texas. The Americans who settled in Texas knew a fight against Santa Anna was inevitable and Sam Houston knew it as well. Giles Gildean worked for Sam Houston, they were friends, and business associates and both men highly respected each other.
Giles is asked by Houston to survey land in the western part of Texas, an area frequented by
Comanches on the warpath who are just as upset with Americans settling Texas as Santa Anna. Giles is reluctant understanding the arising conflict between Mexico and Texas and would rather be in the Nacogdoches area in case the rebellion breaks out and is needed by Houston. Houston and Bowie convince Giles and his new partner John Harvey that there is plenty of time before that happens.
“So, tell me Jim. Sorry, Colonel Bowie,” Giles began. “What’s the word on the fight?” “Which one,” Bowie asked? “Well, the Grass Fight of course,” Giles responded smiling, and then, “The fight for independence.” Bowie sat sipping his drink.
“Colonel,” Giles said, actually becoming used to the title. “Do me a favor. Don’t get in a fight with Santa Anna until me and John Harvey get back.”
“You don’t need to worry Giles,” Bowie said. “This war is going to go on for a while. Even if Santa Anna crosses the Rio Grande in less than four or five weeks, it will take some time to get to Bexar or Goliad. And we will be fighting him as he comes north, stalling his progress, I am sure.”
In Giles’ darkest hour of his young life the love of his life Ellie, coins the phrase: Texian by
Choice which is heard across Texas like a sagebrush wildfire. Men and women across Texas
were willing to give up their American citizenry to settle Texas and move Texas forward to
Independence from Santa Anna’s tyranny and eventually to statehood.
After Colonel Bowie’s assurance there would be plenty of fight against Santa Anna’s tyranny
John Harvey and Giles Gildean head to the northwest of Texas to survey the area and chase out any Comanches in the area to keep the men safe. One day the two were sitting under a tree Giles asked Mr. Harvey his opinion of whether they would come across any Comanche.
“I think that these damn Injuns will turn north,” Harvey began. “They won’t want to stay on the border if Santa Anna is moving north with all those troops. Injuns are pretty savvy about knowing when to fight and when to run.”
“So maybe we could keep moving west and cross trails with them as they head north,” Giles asked? “I am a thinking that would be the best move,” Harvey responded. “Suspect that they will move north, avoiding most settlements along the way. Places like Victoria, Refugio, San Antonio de Bexar. They have to know that a war is coming and the settlers in those places will be armed and ready. No sir,” John continued, “I think that they will head north to catch a trail to the west and disappear into the Estacado.”
This book epitomizes the American spirit of what is right and what is wrong when it comes to
freedom and one’s liberty.
“When tyrants ask you to yield one jot of your liberty and you consent thereto it; it is the first link in that chain that will eventually hold you in bondage.” - Sam Houston.
In closing every free man, woman, and child, should hold these words close to their vest and for this. Highly recommended.
*****
“Texian by Choice” receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
Award:
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