𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗔𝗬𝗟𝗢𝗥 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗟, 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗗, 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘

 

By Rene Torres

The United States was not celebrating any victory and/or giant milestone but the beginning of a new era for this region.  In March of 1846, General Zachary Taylor and his army landed in Point Isabel in boats that were described by early newspapers as “peculiar.”

Their march continued to Brownsville, and at one o’clock on the afternoon of March 28, 1846, the red, white and blue flew for the first time in this region. The flag was tied to a mesquite tree on the north bank of the Rio Grande.

Documents belonging to Mrs. Lillian Weems of Harlingen indicated that it was a calm day when the American flag was hoisted near the site of old Fort Brown. The 8th U.S. Infantry band was there, playing the “Star Spangled Banner”—another indication that the Americans were there to stay.  The flag listlessly fluttered from its mesquite limb, and occasionally dipped its cloth into the muddy Rio Grande.

As per Captain W.S. Henry, this historical moment did inspire enough ceremony. Captain Henry asserts in his explanation of this occasion— “that the troops should have been paraded under arms and that a national salute should have proclaimed in tones of thunder.”

As the American flag took its place on top of a hastily constructed flagpole—the English cross of St. George and the French and Spanish colors were displayed from the consulates in Matamoros. The Mexican commander complained against the raising of the American flag, asserting it indicated taking possession from which there could be no retreat.