The papers of Lieutenant Colonel José Enrique de la Peña

About this book

This is a journal/diary/commentary on the "Texas Campaign", that is Santa Anna's expedition into Texas to put down the revolt of 1835 and 1836 from the perspective of a Mexican soldier and a Mexican citizen. That is as opposed to a Tejano or a Mexican born in Texas. Tejanos held a prominent role in the revolution. It includes alot of details about that time and a rather grisly description of the scene inside the Alamo immediately after the battle as well as a graphic description of the San Jacinto battle and subsequent events from the Mexican soldiers perspective. Dela Pena talks aobut the attitude of Texas Mexicans and non-Texas Mexicans toward their government and each other. As a native Texan it was a real eye opener after growing up on the standard John Wayne/Sam Houston/Davey Crockett/Col. Travis histories. It's very dry in places but don't give up. It left me with an appetite for more information about the revolution from the Mexican side and a whole new view of the revolution.