AMADOR vs. SANTA ANNA

Rich Curilla
Senior Member

Posts: 1,645

AMADOR vs. SANTA ANNA Aug 15, 2010 12:09:39 GMT -5

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Post by Rich Curilla on Aug 15, 2010 12:09:39 GMT -5

This question perhaps has been addressed elsewhere on the forum and may not require a complete thread, but I have never seen it addressed, although I have my opinion.

I continually see historians say that Santa Anna was to command the first column in person on March 6 if Gen. Cos was incapacitated. Even Hansen synopsizes the March 5 battle orders by saying, "First column commanded by Cos, alternate Santa Anna." (p. 772).

My understanding of the order, because it was signed by Juan Valentine Amador and not by Santa Anna (even though the directive came from Santa Anna), is that Amador was to replace Cos, not Santa Anna. Amador wrote and signed the order. Amador said, "The first column will be commanded by General Don Martin Perfecto Cos, and, in his absence, by myself."

Why the confusion?

"The best remedy for anger is delay." -- (?)

Chuck T
Senior Member

Posts: 625

AMADOR vs. SANTA ANNA Aug 15, 2010 13:13:23 GMT -5

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Post by Chuck T on Aug 15, 2010 13:13:23 GMT -5

I agree it is confusing. Amador was writing the order for Santa Anna. I have always thought that the order was signed in what we would now term "For The Commander" by someone usually an adjutant or Chief of Staff who had the commander's signature authority, meaning that the signer had been given the authority to write and speak for the commander.

If my original views are correct the "by myself" could well mean Santa Anna.

Reading the order again before posting, I am now not so sure.

There seems to be a disconnect between Hansen on Pg777 and the order itself. Hansen seems to make the same assumption that I had long held that "by myself" meant Santa Anna. Re-reading it again before modifying this post I looked at how the language flowed and now think it highly likely that "by myself" meant Amador. It would have been nice for him to have said COL Amador though.

Last Edit: Aug 15, 2010 13:28:55 GMT -5 by Chuck T

The Army is always the same. The sun and the moon change, but the Army knows no seasons -- Captain Nathan Brittles (John Wayne) in "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon"[br][br]...an army ought to shoot 'possible' before it lets the band play to loud----James Warner Bellah from "Spanish Man's Grave

Herb Global Moderator Posts: 1,414	AMADOR vs. SANTA ANNA Aug 15, 2010 13:39:47 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Herb on Aug 15, 2010 13:39:47 GMT -5 Rich, Cos's second, according to Sesma was Amador. See Sesma's letter (Hansen, 372).
	Some folks learn by reading, some folks learn by seeing, and some folks just got to pee on the electric fence.

Kevin Young Senior Member Posts: 1,007	AMADOR vs. SANTA ANNA Aug 15, 2010 14:04:54 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Kevin Young on Aug 15, 2010 14:04:54 GMT -5 I think Amador is referencing himself as the second in command of the Cos column. At least that is the way I have always read it.
	The paths of glory led but to the grave...

Rich Curilla Senior Member Posts: 1,645	AMADOR vs. SANTA ANNA Aug 15, 2010 22:38:30 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Rich Curilla on Aug 15, 2010 22:38:30 GMT -5 Thanks. Good to know I'm not crazy. Never noticed that detail in the Sesma report.
	"The best remedy for anger is delay." -- (?)

Post by Rich Curilla on Aug 15, 2010 12:09:39 GMT -5

Post by Chuck T on Aug 15, 2010 13:13:23 GMT -5

Post by Herb on Aug 15, 2010 13:39:47 GMT -5

Post by Kevin Young on Aug 15, 2010 14:04:54 GMT -5

Post by Rich Curilla on Aug 15, 2010 22:38:30 GMT -5