God Favors the Bold: Voices of the Texas Navy 1836-1845

Flogging, mutiny, captured islands, maverick commodores and cabinet members, lack of funds and nasty political rivalries…welcome to the two Texian Navies. God Favors the Bold gathers previously unpublished journals of Texian Navy sailors for the first time to give a true and genuine voice to an arm of the Texas Revolution woefully neglected by students of Texas history. It serves as a reminder that Texas did not win her independence from Mexico by land battles alone. Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad! But don’t forget the Battle of the Brazos, or the likes of Commodore Edwin Ward Moore and Secretary Samuel Rhoads Fisher-each viciously attacked and dragged through the mud by the anti-navy Sam Houston and each a colorful addition to the landscape of Texas history. Through the writings of Samuel Cushing, Cornelius Cox, Alfred Walke, George Fuller and James Mabry, we learn about life on board the naval vessels of the Republic of Texas. Through the speeches and writings in defense of Moore and Fisher, we understand a bit more about the inner workings of the Republic and its leadership. And with the help of contemporary newspaper articles compiled by Lt. William A. Tennison, who served in both Texas Navies, we are afforded a clear chronology of the mighty seafaring branch of the Republic of Texas.